Lakers’ 1-2 Punch Has Webber on the Ropes

With each passing game of this series, the end of Chris Webber’s short, productive, much-discussed stay in Sacramento could be coming closer.

One clear pattern to emerge from the first two games is that Webber, the prized free-agent-to-be, has more of an impact on the Kings’ fortunes than any other Sacramento player.

The other is that it probably doesn’t matter as long as Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant are together in Los Angeles and playing as well as they have in the past month.

One person familiar with Webber’s thinking said that the best--and perhaps only chance--to stay in Sacramento is if the Kings advance past or do well against the Lakers. That chance is fading after the Kings fell behind two games to none.

None of the possible destinations that pop up when Webber’s name is mentioned--New York, Houston, Miami, among others--would put him with a better team than the one he plays for. But it might turn out that nothing would be as futile as playing his prime years in the same division as Kobe and Shaq in their primes.

Webber, 28, must have had a taste of that frustration when he guarded O’Neal for a good portion of the fourth quarter in the Lakers’ 96-90 victory at Staples Center. The definition of helpless: watching from your back as O’Neal scores a dunk.

The Kings don’t get to the second round of the playoffs, don’t entertain even the slightest thoughts of a championship, without Webber.

Even with Webber, they can’t win if he isn’t at his best.

One of the major factors in the Kings’ late slide out of first place in the Pacific Division was Webber’s declining play. He injured his left ankle after the all-star break, missed 10 games and played below his standards in several others.

Webber does not like to discuss the injury, but it was obviousthat he lacked the usual explosiveness to his game and had taken to settling for too many outside shots.

That wasn’t the case in Game 1 Sunday. He looked more aggressive, more like the Webber who was a prime MVP candidate in the first half of the season. He scored 34 points, and the Kings fought the Lakers all the way to the final minute.

Webber disclosed Tuesday night he had taken medication for his injury for the first time before Game 1.

“After the game [the ankle] hurt the same,” Webber said. “But during the game I felt good.”

He must have changed the dosage before Game 2. Webber shot nine for 26 and scored 22 points.

One thing about Webber: He doesn’t provide energy when the team is down, but he’ll feed off the energy when the team is doing well.

When the Kings were shooting a measly 19%in the first quarter, Webber was part of the problem. He missed five of seven shots, most of them taken from outside.

But when the Kings got hot in the second quarter and rolled off seven quick points, Webber joined in the fun. He banged inside for hook shot. He got a dunk in transition. By halftime he had 12 points.

But he made only two of six shots in the third, when the Lakers outscored the Kings 31-13.

When he shot poorly (35%) in Sacramento’s first-round series against Phoenix, he took comfort in the knowledge that his rebound and assist numbers were high.

He had 18 rebounds Tuesday, but had five turnovers and only three assists.

He did try to display leadership. With 41.6 seconds left in the third quarter, he gathered his teammates and wrapped his arms around them. He screamed at them, exhorting them.

His teammates never lost the spirit. They fought back, pulling within four points in the last minute.

Perhaps home games in Arco Arena would have meant the difference for the Kings in these two games; a couple more shots to fall, a few more calls to go their way. Perhaps that will make the difference in Games 3 and 4. But eventually the reality that L.A. is simply superior will override anything else.

Webber has described the failure to win a championship as the waste of a season. If that’s the driving goal, pushing you through the summer workouts and the dog days of the season, what’s it worth if it doesn’t result in a ring?

Thus far, Webber has known only frustration.

He was swept out by Phoenix as a rookie with the Golden State Warriors. He only made one playoff appearance in four seasons with the Washington Bullets/Wizards, and thatresulted in a sweep at the hands of the Chicago Bulls. With Sacramento, he lost five-game series to Utah and the Lakers.

His father, Mayce, was around to comfort himeach time.

“He would just go into another world,” Mayce Webber said. “It’s hard to really describe. . . . going out after the first round, it’s just a depressing time for him.”

This was said just after the Kings advanced past the Suns, while Webber and his dad were celebrating what Mayce called: “The most uplifting time of his entire NBA career.”

It was less than a week ago, but it already seems distant.

The off-season and Webber’s monumental decision loom closer.

As far as making the most money, There’s nothing to negotiate. King owners Joe and Gavin Maloof have already said they will offer Webber the maximum allowable contract: $121 million over seven years.

But he would be spending the next seven years in Sacramento, where there isn’t much to do or see . . . except those long shadows cast by Shaq and Kobe.