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joec32033
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NYPost:http://www.nypost.com/seven/01112007/sports/knicks/isiah_spinning_c_webb_knicks_marc_berman.htm?page=0
ISIAH SPINNING
C-WEBB
DESPITE INTEREST, KNICKS A LONG SHOT
By MARC BERMAN
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Chris Webber
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January 11, 2007 --
Marc Berman's Blog
The Knicks have already reached out to Chris Webber's representatives, placing a phone call yesterday to inquire about C-Webb. Webber's contract that had $43 million left on it was bought out last night. The Sixers will officially waive him today.
Nevertheless, the Knicks are a heavy long shot in the Webber sweepstakes. Isiah Thomas has Detroit connections going for him, as Webber idolized him when he played for the Pistons. But three sources told The Post the Pistons are distinct front-runners. Webber told ESPN.com last night that 17 teams inquired about his services, but said the Pistons, Mavericks, Spurs, Lakers, and Heat are the leading contenders. Webber, a Detroit native who played at the University of Michigan, won't clear waivers until Monday.
The Knicks could only sign Webber, 33, for the $1.1 million veteran's minimum, which would cost the Knicks only $730,000, the league picking up the rest of the tab. Nevertheless, there are teams interested that can still give a portion of their $5 million mid-level. Webber reportedly gave up about $5M in the buyout.
Webber, the 6-foot-10 power forward who is averaging 11 points, did not show up at the Garden for last night's Knicks' victory over the Sixers. He left New York early last night, a source said. He did not meet with Thomas.
"It's our job to be interested in players that are released, waived, bought out, traded," Thomas said before last night's tip-off. "That's our job. We'll be interested in anyone who's moving around and, if there's a fit, we'll try to make it work. If it doesn't fit, it doesn't fit. But our job is to be interested and we are."
Thomas' stance on Webber is a departure. Whenever asked about making moves this season, Thomas had given a stock response: "I like our team."
Until yesterday.
The Knicks are opposed to adding an established veteran in exchange for a young player who would add significantly to the future payroll. But this circumstance is neither. That's why Thomas is making a play for Webber, who has talked openly about his desire to play in New York and for Thomas.
Last season, when asked if he was disappointed Thomas did not make a bid for him when the Kings shopped him around the league at the 2004 trading deadline, Webber told The Post, "I definitely was interested in being here. I was upset it didn't happen. I understood, too, that type of risk Isiah would be taking with my knee."
The Post's Rumble section reported Sunday that in Webber's new restaurant in Sacramento, he has a shrine to Thomas - a booth that has a framed "11" red Indiana jersey on the wall with its table plastered in Thomas photos. There are similar booths to a small handful of other NBA legends.
Webber's addition could hamper the progress of second-year forwards Channing Frye and David Lee. But Thomas' interest level in Webber is an indication he believes the Knicks are one All-Star-caliber player away from not only making the playoffs, but having a fighter's chance to make a run in the postseason.
Webber is no longer the All-Star he once was, hampered by bad knees and ankles. C-Webb expressed interest in playing in New York back in 2001 when he became a free agent and spends part of his summer in the Big Apple. But there's a thought he couldn't handle the New York pressure and would enjoy himself more as a part-time visitor.
The solid play of the Knicks forwards might make a Webber signing unnecessary.
Frye struggled early but has played decently lately. Lee has been a terrific role player. Nevertheless, neither has played a full season with these minutes, so they could wear down.
At the morning shootaround, Thomas, trying to avoid a tampering charge, coyly expressed interest when he said, "That hypothesis would be interesting," Reminded of his edict about liking his current team, Thomas said, "Yeah, yeah. But I'm not getting rid of anybody."
In August, the Sixers asked the Knicks to make an offer for Webber. Thomas offered Quentin Richardson, Malik Rose and Maurice Taylor - a package that would not increase the payroll. The Sixers, trying to save money, moved on.
marc.berman@nypost.com
Two others:
Daily News:http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/story/487779p-410728c.html
NYTimes: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/11/sports/basketball/11knicks.html?_r=1&ref=basketball&oref=slogin-in the Rebounds section.
[Edited by - joec32033 on 01-11-2007 05:43 AM]
~You can't run from who you are.~
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1/11/2007 7:07 AM
