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Talk of the towns Kings' Webber answers questions about future plans
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Kings forward Chris Webber wasn't wearing giant glasses and red suspenders at All-Star media day Friday, but who could blame him if he felt like Larry King.
"Hello, New York!"
"Orlando, what's up?"
"D.C., go ahead!"
Like America's favorite talk show host, Webber was hearing from all parts of the country as he met the media in a ballroom of the Grand Hyatt. Surrounded by a huge phalanx of TV cameras and reporters, the prize free-agent-to-be patiently fielded questions from just about every NBA city where he might end up next season. The short answer: he's keeping his options open.
"It would be nice maybe to be in a bigger market, but Sacramento is where I've had peace, and where I've definitely enjoyed playing with the players," Webber said. "So it would definitely be hard to leave Sacramento and go someplace else. . . . The grass isn't always greener on other side."
Webber did admit, however, that he considers a New York a great place to play basketball. "The biggest thing is that if they don't win a championship it's like failure," he said. "I like that pressure. I like those expectations."
Carter dunk was stuff of All-Star dreamsRaptors star Vince Carter, whose sore left knee will prevent him from defending his title in the Dunk Contest, said he spent zero time last year preparing for the competition. In fact, he said he got the idea for his spectacular clinching dunk -- in which he hung on the rim by his elbow -- in a dream. "Two nights before [the contest] it just came to me in a dream," Carter said. "Swear to God, I had never done it before. I just got the idea right there."
While Carter apparently sleeps basketball, he denies he had any nightmares about his teammate and cousin Tracy McGrady leaving for the Magic after last season. Though McGrady was in the same room as an all-star -- seated just a few tables away -- Carter said he only briefly thinks about what might have been.
"That's not fair. It's selfish," he said. "Tracy right now is an all-star. He made the decision to leave. Obviously it's worked out for the best ... Why would I sit there and say, `What if?' when he's happy. I don't look back like that. I'm happy for him."
The Fun Police in Jersey?Sporting a black baseball cap twisted just to the side, Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett was among the more playful stars at Friday's session. Asked about his friendship with Nets guard Stephon Marbury, who once bolted Minnesota, Garnett said he had no hard feelings.
"It was his decision, and you've got to respect that decision," Garnett said. "We're still dogs to the end. Y'know, just because he's in Jersey and I'm in Minnesota doesn't mean were not still best of friends."
Then, perhaps to give the New York press contingent something to think about, Garnett said he'd even like to play with Marbury again. "You never know, man. This league is crazy. Two thousand and four is coming up," he said, referring to when his current contract expires. "Y'never know. It's crazy like that, y'know?"
Garnett was a bit more serious when asked about the league's recent push to put an age limit on NBA players. As one who successfully jumped to the pros straight out of high school, he said he still thinks it should be up to the individual.
Said Garnett: "If you have the opportunity to do something you love, pursue it. . . I've never been against education, but at the same time you can't knock opportunity."
White House wait no problem for StocktonHow's this for an odd All-Star sighting? Jazz guard John Stockton, with his family, standing in line early Friday morning for a White House tour. Apparently Stockton and several members of the Jazz contingent took a VIP tour of the new president's home Friday morning as guests of Utah Senator Orrin Hatch, an avid Jazz fan. While many longtime NBA observers might be shocked that Stockton would even be in D.C. for the All-Star festivities, they probably wouldn't be surprised that he waited in line along with dozens of other tourists who were also part of the VIP contingent. Jazz forward Karl Malone, for example, toured the White House separately without having to mix with the masses. According to a league source, who witnessed it, Stockton was offered a chance to bypass the line but he politely declined.
Marty Burns covers pro basketball for CNNSI.com. To send a question to Marty's mailbag click here.
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