Are you kidding me!

Are you kidding me! (to coin a phrase often employed by the Sixers radio play-by-play man, Tom McGinnis) "Are you kidding me!" is what I said when told of the news. The Sixers have traded for Chris Webber. "The" CWeb I queried again. "Yes" I was told. The next question comes out without a second thought, "Who did we give up for him?". It's a natural question for a Philly fan. Remember we traded away Moses Malone (simply known as "Moses", the one who took us to the promised land). So the wild thought of the franchises trading superstar AI for superstar C-Web is not far of field. The reply was "Skinner, Williamson and Kenny Thomas. And the 76ers get 2 other guys".

Are you kidding me! Somehow I am still not sure that I should believe my ears. Why would the Sacramento Kings do something like that? Salary Cap? Are you kidding me!


Small Ransom for a King: Webber Dealt to Philly

I blasted Billy King just a few days ago. And for that I apologize. This trade is a statement to the fans that this organization wants to win, not just compete. This Sixers needed a superstar to pair with AI. The Sixers needed a bona fide scorer to complement AI. The Sixers needed Big Men. The Sixers needed rebounding. Billy King went out and got Chris Webber to fill those needs. And to give up Skinner (certified stiff), Willimanson (good player, but not great) and Kenny Thomas (fish out of water in coach O'Brien's system). I am impressed. Heck I'm ecstatic! The other two Kings in the deal; Matt Barnes and Michael Bradley are BIGS. Bradley is the former Villanova star who opted to enter the NBA early. That move may not have served him well, but my guess is the he can become a good role player. Given the state of the Atlantic Division, you have to think the Sixers have upgraded their play-off potential.

But it's not all gravy for Billy King. Team chemistry is an elusive ingredient and then there's the size of the team's payroll. The Sixers already have the 3rd highest payroll in the NBA. Now they have 2 superstar players with long term contracts. If AI and C.Web don't blend, we could end up like the New York Knicks. But if you ask me if I would make this trade my reply would have to be;

"Are you kidding me?"

and then I would sign the deal before the Kings came to their senses.