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Shaquille
O'Neal: "When you are 60, hang out with 60-year-olds, not 20-year-olds.
That is all I got to say about Jerry Buss."
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HoopsHype.com Interviews Chris
Webber: "Peja is the key to winning the ring"
You guys have the best record in the NBA, but do you think you can beat the Lakers after being swept by them last season? Chris Webber: Buff... I don't know, it's very difficult. They are not at their best now, but in the playoffs... It's gonna be tough. Those are the series we are all waiting for. We point out two keys. First one, the ankle injury you suffered last season... How much important it was? CW: That was a handicap, there is no doubt about it, but I don't want to use it as an excuse. They played better. But the fact that they swept us didn't really show how much leveled the series were. Second key to win the ring: Stojakovic's performance in the postseason. Last year he shot below 40 per cent... CW: That's the key for me. No matter how much they talk about the defensive efforts Vlade (Divac) and Scott (Pollard) playing against Shaq, there's nothing we can do about that. Yeah, Peja must play better this season and then we'll have our chances. He has improved and now he's already an All-Star. Anyway, the big change towards the current stability of the team came with Mike Bibby... CW: Mike brings a lot of things on the court, but the most important thing is that our style has not changed. He runs the team fast, we run the floor the same and he is a altruistic player. But I don't think he can guard Shaquille O'Neal, which is our main concern. Is he preferable to Jason Williams? CW: [Webber looks kind of "Please don't ask me that question, he's my friend"]. They are very different. Jason was a guy you enjoyed hanging around with anywhere. I really appreciate him. I think Bibby plays more under control on the halfcourt attack. That maturity and calmness is what we needed as a team. That's something Jason will learn as time goes by. Is that the main difference between these Kings and those of the last season? CW: I would say that the main difference is that we know each other better, that we have been playing together and that we consolidate that chemistry we got last season. What is the impact of Vlade Divac in the team? CW: We could say that he is a center that could play the point guard. In the locker room he is a model to follow, a leader. He has helped Peja (Stojakovic), Hedo Turkoglu and me, too, a lot. He's a great person. You missed a lot of games at the beginning of the season because of an injury. How do you feel now? You look to be in the run for the MVP award. CW: I feel great. It took me a little time to follow the rhythm at the beginning. In fact, I'm still progressing, but I'm already recovered. Recovered at an All-Star level... CW: It was a real honor for me to be a part of the All-Star. It's something very especial to me because, for example, I had never met Darryl Dawkins and this year I had the chance to talk to him. It's kind of a dream being with the players that were on the posters of your room when you were growing up. It makes you feel good and it reminds you that you are now part of it. You are a huge fan of Jordan and you have been able to play in the All-Star with him... CW: I was pleased. Simply put, Mike is the best player in history. You can understand what it means to us. Other power forwards like Kenyon Martin or PJ Brown have guarded him this season, will you try to do the same? CW: Definitely not. I don't want him to score 51 points on me like he did with Martin or 45 like he did with PJ (laughs). David Carro writes for Gigantes and is a regular contributor to HoopsHype.com Tell us what you think about this interview. E-mail us at HoopsHype@HoopsHype.com _____________________ |
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