Chris Webber was a talented big man who had everything it took to be the face of any NBA team. Expectations were high when he entered the league in 1993; however, unleashing his potential depended on how teams utilized him.
His NBA journey started with the Golden State Warriors. He was originally drafted by the Orlando Magic before being traded for Penny Hardaway and future first-round picks. The Warriors benefitted from that move with C-Webb having a great debut season. Webber went on to win the Rookie of the Year award in 1994.
Despite that effort, the Michigan product would be at odds with then-coach Don Nelson. He was shipped to the Washington Bullets in 1994. In Washington, he established himself as one of the great forwards in the league.
Regardless, he would be traded anew in 1998 to the Sacramento Kings . Initially, Webber was not keen on the idea since the Kings were a perennial losing team. But little did the 1999 NBA rebounding leader realize he would be part of a new squad that would change the franchise's fortunes.
The Royal Treatment
The Kings would also add players such as Peja Stojakovic, Vlade Divac and Jason Williams. That core would transform Sacramento into a contender, something that altered the mindset of C-Webb. When he hit free agency in 2001, the 1992 Big Ten Freshman of the Year would end up agreeing to a seven-year deal with Sacramento, aware that it was the best deal he had on the table at the time.
" After all the pluses and minuses, there was nothing that was better than where I was, and that's why I'm back," Webber said via UPI that year.
It was a fitting deal for Webber who cemented himself as one of the premier power forwards at the time. However, his career took a sorry twist due to knee issues. When he underwent knee surgery in 2003, Chris was never the same.
Other teams, such as the Philadelphia 76ers, took a chance on the five-time All-Star. Players like Allen Iverson knew what the 2001 All-NBA First Team had already accomplished and were eager to see him get his career back on track. Sadly, that never happened, and C-Webb's NBA play soured.
After Philly, Webber tried his luck with the Detroit Pistons in 2006. He fulfilled the dream of playing with his hometown team. Despite a respectable showing, he was not re-signed by the Motor City squad. His last run was with the same team where he started his career, the Warriors. But with his surgically repaired knees troubling him, Webber ended up retiring in March 2008.
Webber had a decorated career, although winning an NBA title would have made it sweeter. Unfortunately, because of his injuries, Webber joined a list of NBA greats who had a good run but had never experienced winning an NBA title.
Related: Chris Webber knew he was one of the best power forwards of the 1990s and 2000s: "Dirk, KG, and Tim know me really well"
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