C-Webb a Good Fit in L.A.?
Yesterday afternoon, right after the Andrew Bynum injury news broke, we were talking about how the Lakers should go get Chris Webber. Sure enough, there’s a story in this morning’s L.A. Times about how the Lakers have reached out to Webber about possibly joining the squad:
In an update provided by a team source, Chris Mihm is at least two weeks from returning, if not longer, from a sore right Achilles tendon.
Thus, the Lakers are sifting through the free-agent bin and coming up with such names as Chris Webber, P.J. Brown and DJ Mbenga.
The Lakers were intrigued by Webber a year ago and have been in contact with his representatives. They think he fits the mold of a triangle-offense player — good passer, good jump shot — but are concerned about his physical condition.
Webber, who will be 35 in March, has not played since last season. He averaged 11.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 29.9 minutes in 61 games with Philadelphia and Detroit, but did not re-sign with the Pistons after their playoff run.
He has been contacted by other unspecified teams and will make up his mind this week, his agent said.
“We’ve talked to the Lakers organization several times prior to Andrew’s unfortunate injury,” said Webber’s agent, Aaron Goodwin. “Obviously, they’re a much better team with Andrew playing than they are without him. I think [Webber] will make a decision where he’s going to play this week.”
Unlike last season, a starting spot is not a prerequisite for Webber, Goodwin said.
“He wants to fit in,” Goodwin said. “That’s not an issue.”
Goodwin also said Webber was in shape and would be “ready to go.”
If we were talking about pretty much any other team, I’d probably suggest that they stay away from Webber. He had nothing in the tank last season in Detroit (there’s a reason they didn’t re-sign him and have held tight in their stance this season that they won’t add Webber at any point). But, as the quote above points out, the guy can pass the ball - a talent that is required for most of Phil Jackson’s bigs.
If I was Mitch Kupchak though, I’d look first to P.J. Brown. He’s always in great shape, he showed last season that he can still play, he’s an adequate passer and he’s a great defender (something no one will ever accuse Chris Webber of being). We were with Kobe a few weeks back and actually asked him why no team had signed Brown. He said he had no idea, because P.J. is “the ultimate professional” and would help every team in the League.
The Lakers are now sitting at 23-11, good for second place in the Pacific Division. They have great momentum right now, even with all of their injury problems. Adding P.J. Brown sooner rather than later can only help them pick up the slack until Bynum returns and keep them heading in the right direction as the playoffs get closer.
January 15th, 2008 at 11:18 am
rara says:
can PJ Brown mold into the Bynum role well? (lob passes, shot blocking, etc)
January 15th, 2008 at 11:23 am
Patrick Cassidy says:
No, but who can? P.J. would be a great stop-gap until Bynum comes back.
January 15th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
GEE ...I am the 4th Don says:
I would try to go for Web. He is a better passer and more offensive. P.J. is better for rebounds and defense. Plus C-Webb in a Lakers uni. is just tight. Not to mention when Bynum does get back you still can plug C-Webb in and still make it happen with a real nice front court.
January 15th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
Brown says:
What does it matter, either one of them are better than starting Kwame Brown for the next 2 months. It says a lot about Kwame that two players WELL past their primes are that much better than he is right now. What do you think Kwame will do next year? Probably take his money and live lavish the rest of his life and forget about basketball altogether.
January 15th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
BustJlaze says:
Good point Brown…they’re looking at 2 “bout to be retired” cats to fill in Kwame’s void.
I hope CWebb is REALLY in shape…
January 15th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
GEE ...I am the 4th Don says:
You know he ain’t lol.
January 15th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
gary says:
stephane lasme…. from UMASS drafted and waived by the warriors, now with the defenders of the d league.dosent have bynums size but the man can block shots!
January 15th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Myrie says:
Couldn’t they bring back Vlade Divac?
January 15th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
eW3 (ATL) says:
Bring Vlade back? Why? They already got Kareem on the bench…LOL
yOU don’t need offense from PJ…..Bynum was only getting you 13pts….PJ’s defense/rebounding is better than CWebbs Offense/passing…
the lakers are better with either player
January 15th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
alberto says:
C-Webb is going to the Kings
January 15th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Myrie says:
eW3–
You right. They should just throw Mr. Sky Hook back in the mix. LOL. Wasn’t this the offseason for all the old retirees to try a comeback anyway (Reggie Miller, Charles Oakley, Allan Houston, Scottie Pippen etc…)?
January 15th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
GEE ...I am the 4th Don says:
If that is the case then I wan’t L.J. back, what is he looking like and doing these days anyway?
January 15th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
Sacto J says:
4th Don, put that rock down and step away from the pipe, son. If you know your history, C-Webb in purple and gold is just pathetic. Maybe they culd get Doug Christie too…
January 15th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Myrie says:
GEE–
LJ is from Texas right? I think he may be back in Dallas running a barber shop. So I heard at one point. Knicks offered him a job in community relations 2yrs ago, be he declined (John Starks took it; Allan Houston is next).
January 17th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
DOC says:
C webb pirate leg ass is on a boat somewhere with Captain Jack. Get PJ
January 18th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Sacto J says:
C-Webb has been working out wiht K-9 (Kenny thomas) here in Sac. Talk about the irony. Put the two of them together in one body, and then maybe you could get an all around game from them….