Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Buyout Nearly Complete
The Sixers returned home last night to thousands of empty seats and the awaiting Detroit Pistons. The Pistons promptly beat the Sixers despite impressive performances by Samuel Dalembert and Andre Miller. That really isn't the big news of the day though. The big news is that the Sixers appear ready to buy out Chris Webber's contract. In the deal, Webber would become a free agent and the Sixers would only pay 33 million of the remaining 38 million left on CWebb's contract. Not a great deal but it never is when you just want to make a player go away.
Webber has been hampered by injury most of the year and has missed 10 of the last 13 games. He is now in his 14th NBA season but has not been the same player since he got here from the Sacremento Kings. He is currently averaging 11 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. Way down from his career average. Also he is shooting under 40% from the field. The Daily News' Phil Jasner reports the Sixers are only awaiting league approval before announcing the deal. GM Billy King has still refused to comment on the situation and Mo Cheeks kept quiet. Reportedly, the LA Lakers and the NY Knicks (surprise) are interested in signing Webber.
Webber has really fallen out of favor after last year. Although he and Allen Iverson teamed to be the highest-scoring duo in the league, the Sixers still missed the playoffs. Then he never made it to the bench for Fan Appreciation Night which was a slap in the fans' face. He tried to defend himself over the summer instead of just apologizing.
I am happy to see Webber exit. This team is rebuilding and it is important for younger players to get more minutes and for Andre Miller and Andre Iguodala to become the team leaders. I think that would have been hard with Webber hanging around. This is a necessary move that provides no cap room and very little monetary relief but Webber is serving no purpose and it is better to let him go play on the bench for a contender. There is nothing left in the tank for CWebb and his next employer will find that out.
The Sixers and Flyers are both in action tonight. The Flyers are home against the Montreal Capitals and the Sixers are on the road at the New York Knicks.
And just 35 days until Spring Training.
Webber has been hampered by injury most of the year and has missed 10 of the last 13 games. He is now in his 14th NBA season but has not been the same player since he got here from the Sacremento Kings. He is currently averaging 11 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. Way down from his career average. Also he is shooting under 40% from the field. The Daily News' Phil Jasner reports the Sixers are only awaiting league approval before announcing the deal. GM Billy King has still refused to comment on the situation and Mo Cheeks kept quiet. Reportedly, the LA Lakers and the NY Knicks (surprise) are interested in signing Webber.
Webber has really fallen out of favor after last year. Although he and Allen Iverson teamed to be the highest-scoring duo in the league, the Sixers still missed the playoffs. Then he never made it to the bench for Fan Appreciation Night which was a slap in the fans' face. He tried to defend himself over the summer instead of just apologizing.
I am happy to see Webber exit. This team is rebuilding and it is important for younger players to get more minutes and for Andre Miller and Andre Iguodala to become the team leaders. I think that would have been hard with Webber hanging around. This is a necessary move that provides no cap room and very little monetary relief but Webber is serving no purpose and it is better to let him go play on the bench for a contender. There is nothing left in the tank for CWebb and his next employer will find that out.
The Sixers and Flyers are both in action tonight. The Flyers are home against the Montreal Capitals and the Sixers are on the road at the New York Knicks.
And just 35 days until Spring Training.
Labels: Sixers
