You’ve got to hand it to Chris Mullin … he’s ready and willing to try anything to keep the Warriors competitive in the Western Conference after more than a decade of near obsolescence.
So far, it’s worked.
That’s why before everybody goes bonkers ripping him as general manager and Warriors coach Don Nelson as crazy for signing aging, gimpy-legged forward Chris Webber Monday, consider how this unorthodox duo has managed to pull the W’s out of the rubble and into the hottest ticket in the Bay Area.
To be sure, the Warriors play so fast that it will often seem as if the 34-year-old Webber is just playing Iowa girls basketball on one end of the floor. And just the memory of how he and Nellie couldn’t handle each other’s big personalities to the point that he lasted only one year as a rookie in 1993-94 before the Warriors got rid of Webber is still vivid.
Don’t forget that the wily Mullin was an All-Star forward on the Warriors back then. And while everyone told Mullin he was nuts for hiring Mike Montgomery away from Stanford to coach Baron Davis and the crew a few years back, it was a mistake he learned from to the point he had to go with what he knew.
So against conventional wisdom, he lured the re-retired Nellie out of the Tiki bars on Maui to coach the Warriors last season. As if that wasn’t outrageous enough, he made a blockbuster trade in dealing hard-working Mike Dunleavy Jr. and Troy Murphy to Indiana to bring the mercurial Stephen Jackson and the erratic Al Harrington to play with the unpredictable Davis and talented youngsters Monta Ellis and Andris Biedrins. That set up Nellie to play his vintage “smallball,” with Biedrins the only real interior player.
Nonetheless, they made the playoffs for the first time since 1994 and even shocked the top-seeded Dallas Mavericks in what many believed was the biggest upset in NBA playoff history. They lost in the second round to Utah, but not without a fight, leading to all sorts of possibilities before Nellie finally got his contract guaranteed for this year and next at the kind of money he wanted.
Still, with Jackson suspended for the first seven games for some off-court shenanigans, they began the season 0-6 and were in trouble. Undaunted, they are 27-12 since then, but that woeful start could get them in the end in the impossibly competitive Western Conference. They are tied for seventh, a half game ahead of Denver and Portland, with Houston lingering just a couple games further back in this furious race among the top 10.
And that’s why Mullie and Nellie huddled, and settled on Webber. While Biedrins will block shots, rebound and knock people around inside, he’s virtually it inside for the W’s in a conference laden with big bodies. Not that Webber will ever be accused of being a ####er inside and he faded badly enough down the stretch in Detroit last season that the Pistons really had no desire to bring him back – even though he was living right there.
And yet, he is one of the most naturally gifted power forwards in the history of the game when it comes to the nuances of the position. His passing from the high and low post from a power position is without peer in the game today. He’ll still hit that shot from the elbow and the circle, and that flat hook in the post will gain some traction as well. He may not be able to move defensively, but his hands and instincts will compensate in the limited minutes he will be needed as the rest of this whirling dervish of a team will be running and trapping all over the place.
Inevitably, his ego won’t allow him to be happy in the limited time and space he’ll get on the Warriors. That isn’t the point. In the broad scope, there is humor in this move, as there has been in this entire reconstruction by Mullin.
Nothing has been particularly sensible since he was handed the keys to the car by Warriors owner Chris Cohan in 2004. He gambled maximum money on the creaky body and personality of Davis to be the leader. He went with his gut that Nellie still had enough in the tank for one more run with a team, and he figured Jackson and Harrington could be special if they bought into Davis as their leader. All the while he just sits back quietly and doesn’t say much about anything.
But he’s always thinking, and this time he’s thinking Webber and Nelson want to make peace in the manner of a playoff run. Maybe it will happen. Maybe it won’t. But it’s guaranteed great entertainment the entire second half of the season for growing Warriors nation.
And before Mullin was hired, they weren’t even entertaining.
I'm very curious how this will play out. I don't know what to think but I do put my faith in Nellie and Mullin.
As a long time fan and season ticket holder I'm just stoked to see the W's being relevant once again. We are about 14-10 on the road this year. Our team is different.
Still bitter about J-Rich being in Charlotte. That 0-6 start was not cause of Captn Jack being out. It was a "Losing J-Rich hangover."
At the time of the trade last year, not a single "expert" (at the four letter network) could define who the winner and loser was. They thought it was a wash and wouldn't make a big difference on either team. Well, Dunleavy is playing well but it is evident that the Warriors got the best of that exchange. Mullin (at least right now, knock on wood) can do no wrong. Please don't suggest that he call McHale to inquire about Al Jefferson, we'd probably give him and our number one right now for Biedrins.
I thought the Warriors were a fluke last year, and would be even more so after they dealt J-Rich...They've done great in proving everyone wrong, but the chances are stacked against them with this signing...I really think Webber pitched this to them, and they bought into the whole "I'm a changed player now" deal, but I doubt it....
Do Nelly and Chris realize the difference between chasing a supermodel(Tyra Banks) around a bedroom and playing anywhere between 25 to 30 minutes of basketball ?
Well perhaps not but it seems to be the farthest thing from both of their minds.
They both want a ring and it appears on the face of it that both are willing to do just about anything at this juncture to get it.
tophatal ............
Last edited by tophatal on January 29th at 2:30 PM.
I have no idea how this signing will work out for the Warriors. I think Webber can give a team a little something still but the Warriors need some defense in the middle. Chris has never been known for his defensive prowess. They also play a style not condusive to his skill set and ablities at this point in his career. Either he will have to speed up or they will have to slow down a little. I can't see either happening. Given his limitations, I think he would have faired better in Detoit,L.A.,Boston. All three are playoff teams that don't run alot and don't need him to produce the way the Warriors need him to. He could have been a spot player for those teams and fit his role well IF he is willing to accept a lesser role. I always liked his offensive game because he score in the post,on the wing,got to the line,and was a great passer. But his defense and intangibles leave something to be desired. I wish him the best in G.S. should be interesting
I think Webber is going to be a very good player for GS. I know, he's old, slow, and he can't play defense.
GS doesn't play any defense as it is and they have plenty of guys to get out and run.
They need someone to run their offense through in the half court and I think C-Webb can still bring that. He's one of the best passing big men in the history of the game.
I read an article today comparing his impact to the Warriors to that of Sabonis' with Portland. I think that's a great comparison.
C-Webb is going to add another dimension to their offense.
I think more than the help in the halfcourt set that Webber will provide, the key to this move is keeping him away from other teams. If he had signed to play with the Lakers in the triangle offense, people would be talking about the Lakers as favorites to come out of the West! They'd be wrong, but they'd still say it and there's no doubt it would keep the Lakers ahead of the W's.
Webber is done!!! He needs to take a timeout, even when he has no timeouts left. Don't get me wrong, I always liked him, but let's face it, Webber had seen better days. Quit when you are ahead dear ex-wolverine.
GO BLUE, GO PISTONS! Long live Chris Webber!
Last edited by michigannut on January 30th at 8:21 AM.
We as Warrior fans have to give CWebb a chance to prove what he can do for the team. I have faith in Nellie and Chris that they have made the right choice by bring him into the organization. It is a given that running up and down the court is going to be one of CWebb problem but he's not going to be playing the whole game. He's there to give Biedrins time to rest when needed, by doing that he can rebound, block some shots and make some passes. I see this addition as a great contribution for the Warriors. Great move that Nellis and Chris has made.
Sure he's seen better days when he was younger, but he can still play.
GO WARRIORS!! CWEBB SHOWING WHAT YOU ARE WORKING WITH!!
Last edited by brownsuga08 on January 30th at 8:30 AM.
Good article. Before I read Hoffman's remarks, I would never have considered this being a good move for the Warriors, but I still have my reservations. I mean, a team built upon athletecism incorporating C Web? Seems misguided. Sure he passes well and has good hands, but he shoots that J at the top of the key like he is dying and it is the only thing keeping him alive.
Sabonis and C Web have some similarities, if C Web emulates the Russian's team attitude the comparison could very well be warranted. However, C Web is much smaller (and possibly more out of shape) and looks for his shot too often (he passes well, but I haven't see him trying to set his 'mates up with the regularity he once did, screening and such). Sabonis' shot selection was good. C Web will frequently be open for the J, but that is not always the team's best shot, and I don't think he knows this. If he gets the ball at the top of the key, he should look to screen and pass to a cutter before he shoots. If he shoots, there is almost no one on G State to rebound.
Folks give this man a chance to prove himself. CWebb hasn't shown anyone what he can do since he left Pistons. He knows this is his last chance to prove what he can do and I'm sure he going to give it his all. Folks talking about him being out of shape, he can't shoot, rebound, not being able to run and all in his personal life. Nellie and his coaching staff have seen what CWebb is capable of doing and who is better at judging talent then Nellie. Come Friday all of you folks will be able to see what CWebb is working with. So don't let the past fool you!
Did you guys forget that Chris webber once averaged 27 points and 13 rebounds and 4 assist per game.... now days that is a MVP type player...better than Dirks numbers of last year.....so stop saying he was never a good player he only had one bad year his career stats are 20.9 points per game.....
Man I like Webber, but he was done when we traded him to the 76ers.
Why did he sign with GS? Thye WILL NOT win a ring this year, or the next, or the..... So for the money? Hes making what, a mil and half or something....
TO RunTMCfan are you putting your faith into the guy they haired to play the actual game? Webbs a known choker. It'st not like hes going to raise the whole team to a point of contending with the like of the veteran teams in the West.
I wish the best for all involved, but I highly doubt Webb will alter GS standings for the better.
Man I like Webber, but he was done when we traded him to the 76ers.
Why did he sign with GS? Thye WILL NOT win a ring this year, or the next, or the..... So for the money? Hes making what, a mil and half or something....
TO RunTMCfan are you putting your faith into the guy they haired to play the actual game? Webbs a known choker. It'st not like hes going to raise the whole team to a point of contending with the like of the veteran teams in the West.
I wish the best for all involved, but I highly doubt Webb will alter GS standings for the better.
Man I like Webber, but he was done when we traded him to the 76ers.
Why did he sign with GS? Thye WILL NOT win a ring this year, or the next, or the..... So for the money? Hes making what, a mil and half or something....
TO RunTMCfan are you putting your faith into the guy they haired to play the actual game? Webbs a known choker. It'st not like hes going to raise the whole team to a point of contending with the like of the veteran teams in the West.
I wish the best for all involved, but I highly doubt Webb will alter GS standings for the better.
Man I like Webber, but he was done when we traded him to the 76ers.
Why did he sign with GS? Thye WILL NOT win a ring this year, or the next, or the..... So for the money? Hes making what, a mil and half or something....
TO RunTMCfan are you putting your faith into the guy they haired to play the actual game? Webbs a known choker. It'st not like hes going to raise the whole team to a point of contending with the like of the veteran teams in the West.
I wish the best for all involved, but I highly doubt Webb will alter GS standings for the better.
Man I like Webber, but he was done when we traded him to the 76ers.
Why did he sign with GS? Thye WILL NOT win a ring this year, or the next, or the..... So for the money? Hes making what, a mil and half or something....
TO RunTMCfan are you putting your faith into the guy they haired to play the actual game? Webbs a known choker. It'st not like hes going to raise the whole team to a point of contending with the like of the veteran teams in the West.
I wish the best for all involved, but I highly doubt Webb will alter GS standings for the better.
laze... I wasn't going to say anything about your comment but since you insist on repeating it five times, next time check your grammar. It can help out those of use who are trying to grasp what you are trying to say.
I don't think that Nellie plans is for Webb to come in and take over the team. Whatever he can contribute is what counts it could be a few block shots, rebounds, some passes, free throws and some defensive plays. Just something to help the team more so on the defensive end would be of great help.
Anyone that sees Chris Webber jumping in on any team as a bad move clearly doesn't understand basketball. I'm not saying he deserves a giant contract like he had in Philly (nor am I saying he was really effective in Philly; you couldnt pry the ball out of Iversons hands if you tried), but give the guy some respect. He gave balance to a Detroit team that needed another big man when Wallace left. Granted, hes a litle slower getting up and down the court (he was never a real speed-burner anyways), but he can pass, he can board, and he can shoot. Not to mention, it's not like Golden State couldn't use another big man.
Skip all of that #### about the rocky relationship between Nelly and C-Dub, too. You'd be an #### to think that "just out of college" C-Webb and "13 year veteran" C-Webb are the same guy. He was a kid when he got drafted, and acted like one. I'm pretty sure his mind-set has changed a little over the years.
Anyways, I wanna say hey to Mr. Kahn. I'm a long time reader and first time commenter. Thanks for the giving us the real #### on a daily basis, killer. Keep up the good work and thanks for listening.
C-Webb was a unique talent in his time. Like a lot of stars though he never really got the most out of his talent something was always lacking. He will add a little to the warriors give them some minutes off the bench and every now and then give them some wow's. Come play off time as long as he isn't in the game down the stretch his knowledge will be a plus. He still won't play D and at crunch time he will remain the one of the biggest choke dogs of all time. He won't take the big shot and won't make any plays. He didn't at UM or at Sac.
I hope it works out ...To be honest im a Laker fan and watching the Warriors in the playoffs was the only thing that kept me watching basketball Good Luck to Oak-Town !! And to C-WEBB .
Some of you folks really get me you read a comment by someone else, take a small statement such as the work "choke" and everyone from that point on is useing it. He' a "choke artist", he's a known choker." So many folks are talking about what CWebb can't do, well he wouldn't have made it in the NBA if he wasn't a caliber player, so he had to have done something right. Even when he made that bad call when he played at Michigan. He still made it into the NBA, there isn't a perfect player anywhere in the history of this game and there isn't a player that hasn't made some mistakes. So try and talk about what he has done for the good of the sport instead of being so FREAKING NEGATIVE.
