Webber Gives NBC the Slip on Question of His Future

Phil Jackson and Chris Webber both got their fondest wish Sunday: They’re getting out of Sacramento.

These were the dual story lines NBC had to follow during Game 4 of the NBA Western Conference semifinals. Would Jackson’s Lakers be able to complete the sweep, win their 15th consecutive game, silence the cowbells, pull out the earplugs and get Jackson home with ample time to craft and polish a new batch of one-liners about the Alamo? And if that happened, would Webber, the unhappiest King, No. 2 behind Jackson on the Sacramento Chamber of Commerce enemies list, beat the Lakers to the airport?

The first one was a free throw. All NBC had to do was keep a camera focused on Kobe Bryant for each of the Laker guard’s 48 points and 16 rebounds. Follow Bryant and the bouncing ball all the way out of Arco Arena and into the conference finals, where San Antonio should join the Lakers any day now.

Isolating Webber was more problematic. His future is the worst-kept secret in the league: Webber, a free agent with big-city lights in his eyes who has done three years of hard time in Sacramento, won’t be re-upping with the Kings. You know it, I know it, everybody who watches or is associated with the NBA knows it.

But, try as it may, NBC couldn’t get Webber to say it.

Courtside reporter Jim Gray took two stabs at it, on camera and off. With the camera rolling during an off-day interview, Webber said that he hadn’t made up his mind, that he wanted to take the summer and clear his mind and just pray for the right answer to come. “I know people think it’s more difficult than that, [that] I’ve got a ‘war room’ at home where we’re all writing down teams and passing ballots around, but it’s really not like that. I listen to people’s advice, I’ll definitely listen to my mother and father, but they don’t have to live with it, it’s my decision. I’ll just wait for it to come.”

Stonewalled there, NBC’s broadcast crew became annoyed.

“It’s difficult to believe that he actually hasn’t thought about what teams he might be headed to,” Marv Albert grumbled to his partner, Doug Collins. Collins, the new coach of one of those potential destinations, the Washington Wizards, said, “Well, he’s thought about it. I think the one thing he needs to do is just play here today and find a way to win a game in this series. But you cannot be in his position and not start thinking about what you want to do for your future.”

Somewhat impressively, Collins restrained himself from dropping the names of Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley, who could be Webber’s teammates next season if all the tumblers in Washington fall into place.

A few moments later, Gray added that he spoke to Webber after filming that interview and said the all-star forward told him that he never wanted to come to Sacramento in the first place and resented it and that he has put in three years and wants to go someplace where he can win a championship.

But, Gray noted, according to the information he had, it is “almost virtually certain that Chris Webber will not return here.”

Not wanting to offend a potential recruit, Collins then said he approved of Webber’s evasive diplomacy.

Collins: “You can’t say anything. You’re still on this team. I mean, the season’s not over yet. You got to play, you got to play to win. And when it’s all said and done, then you make your decision. That’s what Webber has to do.”

So Webber wasn’t talking.

How about Webber’s dad?

Between the first and second quarters, Gray sidled up next to Mayce Webber, Webber’s father, and pressed for a scoop. Like son, like father. Mayce said he hoped Chris would stay with the Kings but noted that Chris “is a man and can make his own decision.”

Another swing, another miss.

“Jim [tried] every conceivable angle,” Albert said. “Mayce would not give it up.”

Actually, there was one more angle--a postgame interview with Webber--but that would have meant NBC delaying East Coast prime-time programming a few extra minutes. NBC would not give it up. Final buzzer sounds, Lakers win, sweep complete, a couple quick words from Kobe, we’re out of here.

Instead, Albert had to pose the question, to no one in particular, during the final seconds: “Will this be the final appearance in a Kings uniform for Chris Webber?”

Probably, but not for sure.

Most likely, but not quite definite.

This much, NBC could report: The Lakers, as they have done every time they have played before the network’s cameras this postseason, won. On NBC Sundays during these playoffs, the Lakers are 4-0.

In the uncertain and often uncooperative world of televising sports, it’s good to have something you can count on.