AH. So because they weren't right there in title contention a couple of years later, they should have gotten out of the deal, and THEN signed on with a top-level contender.
In other words, after getting SWEPT out of the playoffs by the Lakers a year after signing his max deal, Duncan should have gotten out of the contract *THEN*, and signed with the Lakers for the exception. So glad we cleared that up.
We're not going to talk about David Robinson and *HIS* cap hold at such a high level with low production on a team that got swept out, but we are going to talk about Webber's "lack of production." You know, David Robinson and his 14.4 and 8.6 in 2001, as opposed to Chris Webber and his 19.5 and 9.1 from last year. Chris Webber, who averaged 21.8 and 9.8 since signing his extension, versus David Robinson, who averaged 11.9 and 8.3 in his last three years. (I'm not sure what year Robinson's extension was, or I'd give you those averages.)
Apparently, David Robinson was a greedy SOB who kept the Spurs from getting the talent that they needed to be competitive.
Spurs Post 1999 title:
At the time it was obvious Tim Dunker was the centerpiece for future Spurs titles. I did hope that DR would begin a role that would lessen as seasons progressed and not gouge the Spurs will a high dollar contract. If he refused either, I absolutely wanted to "shop" DR and see what came back. A young good up and coming center, go for it. Alas, as is modern NBA, virtually no centers available.
So Robinson continued after '99 Title.
At this point the biggest double blow to the Spurs was Shaun Elliots Elliott focal glomerulosclerosis, a rare kidney disease along with Tim Dunkers injury. A month after the Spurs won the title – on July 21, 1999 – he announced that he would need to undergo a kidney transplant. Elliott appeared in 19 games during the 1999-2000 and 52 games in 2000-01, retiring in the summer of 2001.
He was obviously not the same player. Tough a decision as it was, he should not have been playing as much as he was in '00 & 01. It hurt the Spurs.
How did this affect DR and the Spurs? Well with Dunker and Elliot out, he was the teams center.
Duncan did not play in the '00 playoffs. Clearly he had taken over the leadership role in the reg season at 23 and 12 and 40 minutes.
'01 Duncan had little to do with being swept. One of the 4 games he did play one game at center and dropped a 38 and 17 on the Most Dominant Never. Robinson on the other hand looked weak, also back problems. Absolutely i continued to want him to either take a pay cut and/or play a reduced role. Once again no centers to be found.
'02 ditto. Robinson is indeed being a drag, also in fairness has serious back problems. But a huge change is coming.
Duncan is now not only clearly the Spurs leader but the league MVP. I never in any way shape or form suggested trading him, nor any phony twisted nonsense can be truthfully assigned me as to such. looking ahead I'd been huge on GNobili well before any Gnob bandwagoners came on, well before he played one single game with the Spurs...
Before the 02-03 season, Robinson and the Spurs do exactly what my philosophy was and is. DR will take on a much reduced but vital role. While his minutes go down to their lowest in 7 years, and esp his shot attempts, he keeps up his D and rebounding stays good, per minute as good as ever. He accepts his "role" as the Spurs add Ginobili to the lineup and SuperStevie Kerr takes some big shots, not DR. What Robinson is doing is certainly "honorable." Throw in a pay cut and I'd love him even more. Even so, its a great season as DR willingly accepts his role and does it the Reality Way. The Spurs title.
Chrissy Webber. Complete contrast. Great in the Kings title year. Then in 03-04 the Lakers assemble the Most Overated of All Time team. How will the Kings compete. Lakers looking great early. Webber gets injured and out. Kings go on a tear. Everyone on the board, even LFD agree the Kings open flow ball movement offense is a thing of beauty. They are like 45-14 and lead the Flamers (injury woes) by 6 games. Six games! #1 seed looks like a lock. We are all buzzing about how cool it is to watch Kings games. Great ball movement and team defense!! If Webber had one ounce of "honor" he would tell mgmnt and Kings players, "keep it going, I'll be happy to be a role player (like David R who just titled) and revolve around you, not world revolves around me." Kings management and Adleman now put Chrissy back in with like a dozen games to go and let him play the lead role :eek2: :crazy: :puke: . Pffffftttt. Ball movement completely stops. He starts jacking up 7-25 games regualarly. He looks like he hasn't a care in the world. Kings fans boo, he pouts whines to media. What a shame. What a crock of crap. For you to label this "honorable" is a farce. It was disgusting, dishonorable. It sucked big time. It's the complete opposite of my "philosophy". Kings mgmnt should have absolutely made Chrissy be a role player or traded him. Or sat him. Kept the Kings great season going into the playoffs where they were looking as good as any to win the WCFs. Alas Webber sucks and the Kings get run in Round 2.
Oh his "19 and 9" with Philly. Wooptie doo. He shoots 39% and they get run in Round one. How honorable. Thats sure Max contract material. He should absolutely take a pay cut and a reduced/changed role to help Philly acquire another player(s) and increase win chances. That would be truly honorable.
