PHILADELPHIA – When Chris Webber joined the Sixers and Allen Iverson, he immediately provided Philly one of the best 1-2 combinations in the East. But is it a combo good enough to overtake Miami and land in the Finals?
“I don’t know. There are so many adjustments you have to make. So many,” said Webber last night before his third game as a Sixer – and his first against the Nets.
“I just want to get to playing good and get adjusted first. I always believe I can win. I believe in Allen [Iverson] because I’ve seen him do it before. And Aaron McKie, who I played with. I feel like we’re the veterans on this team. Everybody else is pretty young.”
Not quite a ringing endorsement, huh?
Webber at times sounded like a guy still in shock from the trade as he repeatedly addressed the “different philosophies” already in place in Philadelphia, philosophies apparently different from what he was accustomed to in Sacramento.
But whether Webber is comfy or not, he presents a view hardly encouraging to opponents in the East. The Sixers, of course, are one of the teams the Nets must overtake in their quest for a fourth straight year of playoff competition. Webber in Philadelphia only makes that job more difficult.
“Obviously, he’s a phenomenal passer and playmaker, not just in the low post but on the elbow. Another guy they can play pick-and-roll with,” said Nets coach Lawrence Frank, noting “20 [points], 10 [rebounds], five [assists] is pretty good to pencil into your lineup.”
The Nets entered last night four games behind Atlantic Division-leading Boston and 2½ games behind the Sixers, who were in ninth place in the East Conference. But with Webber and the ever-explosive Iverson, the smart money says the Sixers won’t stay there too long.
“I love Allen. He’s a great competitor. He’s a great player. I respected him before I got to play with him. I love his game,” said Webber. “There are different concepts and strategies and philosophies and that’s what you’ve got to get used to.”
Meanwhile, the East is getting used to the Sixers’ new style, which is decidedly faster-paced.
“What they’ve done is, they play an up-tempo pace that they may be giving up more points, but they still play defense. They still do a great job protecting their paint,” insisted Frank. “If you’re not careful, they can get you into a game of where it’s a one-pass-jumper game.
“So they still play defense, and Iverson and Andre Iguodala really hurt you with their ability off the ball with the steal. Samuel Dalembert is 21st in shot blocking. But they play up-tempo, so give up more points as a result.”
So the Nets had more of a headache than usual last night with Webber on the scene.
“It’s more of a game plan than an individual thing. But for someone with him, you want to take away his jumper and make him a driver. He’s the hub: he’s not necessarily trying to take his shot, he’s a passer,” said Net Jason Collins. “Especially being on a new team, he’s looking to be more unselfish. So it’s a matter of pressuring him, getting up on him and making it difficult on him.
“I was surprised Sacramento would make that move. It really helps Philadelphia. That was a good trade for them,” Collins said, noting that regardless of what the Sixers do, Boston is still the prime target.
“Right now we’re all looking up at Boston in the Atlantic,” Collins said. “Whoever is in first is the frontrunner, and the rest of us take it one game at a time.”
