Webber and the Kings

I wondered about this Ric Bucher article at the time; seemed to me like Webber and the Kings had been a pretty tight group, but what do I know? I only watched a healthy percentage of Kings games the last seven years on television. Apparently, my instincts were correct, and there wasn't as much animosity as reported.....

The Links -- Week of March 28, 2005:
I am an employee of the Sacramento Kings, more
behind the scenes. Anyways, I understand your dislike for ESPN and their continuing errors in sports reporting. The following is more
fuel to add to the fire.

I stumbled upon a story about Chris Webber's return to Sacramento posted on espn.com by Ric Bucher on March 28, 2005. In it is states: “After the game, he talked about his love for Sacramento and the friendships with Kings teammates that will endure, although it's worth noting that none got together with him when he arrived in town Sunday night, nor did any stick around to see him off after his news conference.”

The interesting thing is that I was there that (last) night and some of his former teammates did stick around to see Chris off, the most notable being Bobby Jackson, Mike Bibby, Brad Miller, Greg Ostertag, and Peja Stojakovic. Let me note that these players don't stick around long after games, but this night they did. Players like Bibby, Jackson, and Peja stuck around the tunnel just outside the media room and locker room to wait for their former teammate. All exchanged long, genuine hugs with Chris. Some, like Brad Miller and Greg Ostertag, even went onto the court long after the game and waited for Chris to come out of the tunnel. Chris visited with a group of underpriveleged children (I believe) and a few friends. Brad and Greg came over afterwards to exchange, again, long and genuine hugs. As all of these events unfolded, nowhere did I notice Ric Bucher. So who is he to say that none of his friends stuck around afterward when he didn't himself. Everybody from photographers, camera crews, ballboys and friends stuck around to see Webb for the last time this season. Ric Bucher didn't. Who makes this stuff up anyway? Oh yeah, ESPN.

{Basketball}

Tags: Basketball