Kings To Retire Vlade Divac’s and Chris Webber’s Jerseys
C-WebbRight now the Kings would do anything to keep the ARCO faithful’s attention away from the current state of affairs. Instead of focusing on the status of Reggie Theus‘ job, Sacramento can enjoy today’s news that the team is planning on retiring both Vlade Divac’s and Chris Webber’s jerseys.
But do these guys really deserve to have their jerseys retired? Vlade played six seasons in Sacramento, where he averaged 12.8 points per game. Maybe his fondest memories come from wearing purple, but he spent the best part of his career as a Laker - seven years, where he posted 14.7 per night. Webber’s best years were in Sacramento, where he played for just over five years.
This shouldn’t come as a huge surprise though, as the Kings have a history of making stupid moves retiring jerseys. Both Sacramento and Orlando have hung the number 6 in their rafters to honor their fans as the “sixth man.” That’s idiotic.
The ceremony for Divac is set for March 31st, but they haven’t yet determined a time for Webber.
Do Divac and Webber deserve to have their jerseys retired?
Source: Sac Bee
December 8th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
zaboomafoo says:
primero?
I dont think they should have them retired but I do tend to get a fuzzy feeling when I remember bibby, christie, divac, webber and miller on the same team.
December 8th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
that's whats up says:
now this is a ridiculous thought
What about Vlade’s assist to Horry?
C-Webb? really?!?!
December 8th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
MSkittle says:
Of course
December 8th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
rootsradical says:
i understand why they’re doing it. those guys made Sacramento a really strong team at the start of this decade. i do feel that Jason Williams often gets overlooked as a crucial part of that team. he really did bring the flair and excitement to Sacramento as a rookie and really gave them their attitude. i wouldn’t say he deserves his number retired but if Webber and Divac get that sort of treatment i think he should as well.
December 8th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
boredatwork says:
If Vlade gets his jersey retired in Sac, then he should probably get his Lakers jersey retired. I don’t see that happening in Anaheim any time soon.
December 8th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
nola says:
no for vlade. although vlade is largely underrated since he wasnt very athletic or spectacular in anyway, he was a GREAT team mate.
tossup for webber. when i think of retiring jerseys, i think of GREAT players. players who won or players who gave their everything to win or players who were so good but just couldnt get past the hump. webber’s not any of them for me. he was just a good player.
i was a huge fan of the kings during vlade and webber’s run against the lakers and such but the one thing about that was because this team was an actual TEAM. they played a team game, pass first, shoot second offense from webber’s between the leg passes on guard curls, to vlades over the head pass in the post. they had no spectacular athlete. they were just a great team.
ps. does this mean they’re planning to retire bibby’s jersey too? that overrated scrub has made a career on a single clutch shot 12379823 years ago.
December 8th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
JCARR says:
Why not.. they only have like 2 retired jersey banners hanging from the ceiling. Although only “Big O” deserves to hang from the ceiling.
C-Webb they should have waited at least 5 more years to announce his # retirement
December 8th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
Don Mega says:
nope .. what , retire Peja’s and Doug Christie’s too ? Bibby ? sheeeeiiit .
December 8th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
JCARR says:
jason williams??
December 8th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Kermit the Washington says:
Well we’re not talkin about the HOF here…I say sure, retire their jerseys, since whoever ELSE has their jersey retired by the Kings didn’t do much better than Vlade and CWebb!
December 8th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
Ian says:
sure why not
they made the kings good and webber was the second best pf in the league before the injury
December 8th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
Mamba says:
Hey this will sell a lot of tickets when they do a retirement ceremony at the halftime of whichever game they choose,
Agreed you do have to throw J Will in there as well, he gave that team its swag for sure,
C Webb deserves to have this done in my mind, though many will say he under achieved, I think he had some of his best years there and that was a fun team to watch,
December 8th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
DH says:
Let’s see, how many championships did they help the Kings win? None? Ok, then let’s move on to Western Conference championships. None there either?
I think we have our answer.
December 8th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
fallinup says:
When I think Vlade/Webber Kings. I think, “Horry for three! Yes!”. I guess when you don’t have much to cling to in Sactown…it’s good to cling on almost getting there and choking.
Speaking of choking, they should make a little pocket for Vlade’s jersey when they retire it. So they can hang it in the rafters with a pack of smokes as well.
December 8th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
jeremy says:
cwebb getting some respect finally
December 8th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Hoveys Home says:
I think Webber should, he was arguably the biggest face on the best team that franchise has ever put on the court…
But Vlade?? Hell nah, I wouldve expected Marlboro to make Special Edition Vlade packs before this
December 8th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
Bondzai says:
Doug Christie will never get his jersey retired. His wife wouldn’t want other women looking at it up in the rafters.
December 8th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
Gerard says:
Props to both, they deserve it. They meant a lot to their team and to the town while they were there. Is Mitch Richmond’s jersey retired yet? He needs priority if not…
December 8th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
Vinny says:
@bored at work- the lakers play in la not anaheim.
and this just show’s the state of the kings histroy that they would retire the numbers of players who led them to basiclly nothing! as mentioned in post 13.
December 8th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
Richard Wellner says:
Divac yes, Webber no.
December 8th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
D A says:
YES AND MAYBE. Divac is the man! I need a Divac jersey. I already have the Divac beard.
December 8th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
Mark says:
Breaking news: Former NBA referee Tim Donaghy will have his officiating jersey number retired in Los Angeles and San Antonio for his efforts in 2002 and 2006, respectively. Dictator David Stern is reportedly honoring Donaghy by personally erecting a golden statue of Donaghy at both stadiums and cites “NBA Cares” will be renamed to “Donaghy Cares” effective immediately.
December 8th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
Ian says:
fallinup
really horry for three comon man
the refs gave the lakers the series and EVERYONE has to admit the officiating was off that series
December 8th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
Ian says:
mark
isnt it miami in 06
December 8th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
Mark says:
It’s whatever. My post was ridiculous as is, I did’t expect any factual relevancy.
But you are correct, Ian.
December 8th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
bruinking says:
The criteria for retiring a number will obviously vary from team to team. And… if their numbers were not retired, maybe not too many people would put up much of a fuss. But given the fact that they ARE being retired, there is no reason to argue against it.
Webber and Vlade fully deserve the honor based solely on the fact that they were the centerpieces of an era where the Kings became championship contenders, and even the league leaders (highest win total in ‘01-’02)… Something the Kings have not been able to accomplish at any other time during their tenure in Sacramento.
The fact thay they did not play their entire career in Sacramento, or that Vlade played longer in LA are irrelevant… because they did not have nearly as significant of an impact on their other teams.
December 8th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
bruinking says:
@Gerard
Richmond’s has already been retired.
Richmond fits the much more traditional criteria for retirement. Played for Sac for the majority of his career and was the best player on the team the entier time he was on it.
December 8th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
dagwaller says:
I think so, because of what they meant to the team when they were good. Plenty of players have put up numbers in this League, but what do they mean without team success? I don’t root for a player that comes to town and leads the League in scoring, if we’re in last place. I’d rather root for the player that comes to town and my team is relevant for the entire time.
If you’re from Maryland, you know how that is (Trent Dilfer).
December 8th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
karizmatic says:
That’s dumb
December 8th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
Mark says:
bruinking, plus Miami retired Michael Jordan’s jersey, didn’t they? And we all know his Airness didn’t get paid putting on a Heat jersey.
Doesn’t make too much sense, in my opinion, but it does reaffirm the fact that teams can do pretty much whatever they want to do… If the price is right (for David Stern).
December 8th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
Ansonious says:
Vlade wasn’t that great at all but man I’m telling ya I use to destroy my boy at 2k with Vlade he was pretty much unstoppable no matter what. And no the person who I was playing is really good at 2k games some how Vlade was just money.
December 8th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
Ross says:
Yes, they both deserve it, IMO.
December 8th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
d says:
If you lived in the Central Valley during that era, you would not believe what those two did for the Kings. Most of us Nor Cal heads can remember how much the Kings sucked throughout the 90s. Then along came White Chocolate, C Webb and Vlade. The team was hot. The Kings put on a good fight against the Lake Show and were major competitors for a few years, till C Webb’s Microscopic knee obliterated his playing career.
And if you lived in the valley, you know about Center Court and Tunnel 21, and you know the real, long-term impact on the community that both Webber and Divac had. They’re bigger than just their stats, they were a big part of the resurgence of the Kings and the reason that there were so many consecutive home sellouts.
December 8th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
Balla says:
They should retire J Dub’s jersey too. He was the one who really got all the Sac Kings thinking they were great passers.
December 8th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
David Brandon says:
man..why’s the idea of having the 6th man jersey gotta be idodic tho? dont hate cause your teams not doing it. lol if anything, it gives the fans something to hold onto the team w/. it makes it that much more tangible. now, i wouldnt go out an BUT one, but its still an nice idea to feel like youre recognized for something.
@ d and fallinup,
real talk. those two guys did a bunch for the community outside of just stats. we went from cow-town to ppl talkin about sac’s team, players over covers of mags, highlights…alla that. while i’m still not sold on vlade havin his up there just for the fact he was a laker, i get it. for webb…..yeah, i guess he can get his up there. lol he WAS gettin down.
@ bondzai,
man, thats hilarious! mainly b/c its true. hahaha
December 8th, 2008 at 7:51 pm
rob stewart says:
Heck to the no
December 8th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
BRUCE says:
You mean go out and BUY one.
December 8th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
BRUCE says:
They meant a lot to the community. However, they did not delvier the ultimate prize. Too much heartbreak on the fans. For the record, there was never a LA VS Sacramento rivalry. LA won all the series. It ain’t a rivalry till Sacramento wins one.
December 8th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
BRUCE says:
J-Will, Vlade, C-Webb, Peja, Bibby, B-Jackson, B-Miller, and Christie.
The biggest chockers of the game — Vlade and C-Webb.
Vlade for not grabbing that rebound, tap the ball straight to Horry. C-Webb for not delivering in crunch times. Peja and Christies airballs in Game 7. I was there at Acro Arena.
December 8th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
fallinup (What Would Charles Oakley Do?) says:
I was gonna type a witty comment…but I choked on my keyboard. Someone hang my jersey in the rafters please.
December 8th, 2008 at 8:46 pm
Johnny says:
Chris Webber deserves it of course. He transformed the franchise into top of the league for a 3-4 yr span. If it wasn’t for a ill refereed game 6, who knows. He might have got a ring. Vlade… not so much for basketball but he was very close to the local community as I’ve read.
December 8th, 2008 at 8:51 pm
Toni says:
On the subject of “CHOKE”, what about the greatest choke artist of all time - KOBE BRYANT.
This overrated dude lost a series changing game 4 in the finals at HOME with a 24 pt lead mid way into the 3rd. No real all time great would ever let that happen. MJ, Magic, Bird, Shaq in his prime, etc would NEVER allow that to happen. So if kobe gets a free pass and stupid media still calls him clutch… then Cwebb and Vlade should not be getting any crap.
December 8th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
fallinup (What Would Charles Oakley Do?) says:
Kobe’s choking. On his three rings. Right. About…………………….Now.
December 8th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
Toni says:
Yea, the 3 rings that he got riding on Shaq’s ass. Fisher has 3 rings too, Robert Horry has 7. That makes them better than kobe?
Bottomline, “You know how I be, last week kobe couldn’t do without me…”
Its one thing to get rings as a #2 option, to do it as the main guy is a different story. Thats what seperates the true greats from Kobe. God damn, they don’t make em like they used to.
December 8th, 2008 at 9:12 pm
Amar says:
what did these guys do, get to the west finals once? if that’s the case, then ty corbin, jeff malone and adam keefe need their jersey’s retired in utah.
December 8th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
Michorizo says:
Didn’t Webber get ran out of town by the underappreciated Kings fans…as soon as Webber got hurt, Sacramento turned their backs on him. If I were C-Webb, I would tell them to Fuck Off!
December 8th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
jackass says:
wow sac town must be really desperate. cwebb and vlade??? cmon now. they were good players but retiring their jersey is a little overboard. i wonder if even pip has his jersey retired in the united center. it might be but i am sure there are a lot of cats that deserves it more than these two.
December 8th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
fallinup (What Would Charles Oakley Do?) says:
Kobe must’ve cut Toni off on the freeway today to be bringing him up so much….You know who else is a choke artist? CHICKEN
-hiyo!
December 8th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
jerod says:
C-WEBB was a regular 20, 10 & 5 guy …. until get got the knee injury. He gave Sacto their only good yrs in recent history so yeah he deserves it. I don’t know about Vlade though.
December 8th, 2008 at 9:38 pm
Toni says:
fallinup must have a big crush on kobe to even care about what someone else says about a bball player online. I hope fallinup is not a man. Man crushes are not cool.
December 8th, 2008 at 9:41 pm
fallinup (What Would Charles Oakley Do?) says:
Nope, just a big man crush on goober posters that bring up a player from outta nowhere when there was absolutly no correlation between the topic and what the goober poster was posting.
December 9th, 2008 at 10:39 am
Richard Wellner says:
The thing is, if you hang Divac you GOTTA hang Peja!
December 9th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
Sweet English says:
Yo C-Webb might even call a time out during the ceremony, then double dribble and travel simultaniously…..
December 16th, 2008 at 10:31 am
Guitar Hero says:
Well, that’s about the only time in franchise history, that they were somewhat relevant. And both players were the team’s soul and (arguably) its top guys during that era.
So…whay not?
December 17th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
kennadog says:
For the sake of accuracy (hint, it’s more than the 2 one poster wrote), jerseys hanging in the rafters at Arco:
1 - Nate Archibald, G, 1970-76 (1970-72 Cincinnati, 1972-75 Kansas City-Omaha, 1975-76 Kansas City)
2 - Mitch Richmond, G, 1991-98
6 - The Fans of Sacramento (Sixth Man)
11 - Bob Davies, G, 1948-55 (Rochester)
12 - Maurice Stokes, F, 1955-58 (1955-57 Rochester, 1957-58 Cincinnati)
14 - Oscar Robertson, G, 1960-70 (Cincinnati)
27 - Jack Twyman, F, 1955-66 (1955-57 Rochester, 1957-66 Cincinnati)
44 - Sam Lacey, C, 1970-81 (1970-72 Cincinnati, 1972-75 Kansas City-Omaha, 1975-81 Kansas City)
If you don’t know about Stokes and Twyman, it’s definitely one of the best NBA stories there is.
I think jersey retirement is for what that player did for the franchise, not whether they won a championship. A lot of jerseys hang in a lot of rafters that never won any titles. Take a look at the Utah Jazz list, for example.
And it really should only be a matter for the fans of a particular franchise. I don’t care why other franchises do or may decide to retire someone’s jersey.