Editor's note: The following are excerpts from an on-line question-and-answer session Thursday about the Kings between sacbee.com users and Bee Staff Writer Martin McNeal, who has been covering the team since 1991. Question: My comment is related to Jason Williams. I look at a few other guards (ex: Mike Bibby) who entered the league at the same time Jason Williams entered the league, and they seem to play more consistent basketball. I see a lot of potential in Jason Williams, but his decision-making and consistency is really poor for a third-year player who has had consistent minutes. Š Please comment.
Answer: Consider two things: Jason B.S.'d his way through college and blew valuable lessons to be learned. He definitely is learning to play the game, so he will struggle. And, how many point guards have the ball taken out of their hands as much as J-Will? Chris Webber, Peja Stojakovic and maybe even Vlade Divac have it as much as he does. I still wouldn't trade J-Will for Mike Bibby. Would you? He'd have to make me trade him, because I'd be patient with the skills I see before I'd be hasty.
Q: What do you think about all this talk (on most chat forums) of fans wanting to dump Vlade? I think Vlade offers way more to this team than just what you see on the court. What's your take?
A: (Vlade is) good people, good player. As good (a player) as he can be? Hardly, and I'm sure what disappoints Webber and others is that (Vlade) has accepted what he is instead of what he can be. Even at his age (33), Divac with a summer of working out can be much improved. Why he won't push himself to be great, I don't know. Š His game is sweet, though, and the Kings need his perimeter shot to beat teams like the L.A. (Lakers) and San Antonio.
Q: Do you see J-Will and Peja following C-Webb outta Sac, since most likely they'll be coveted in the market once their respective contracts are up? Do you see the Kings getting any big-name free agents who would fit in the Kings' offense?
A: Webb isn't gone yet. I think Peja could be a lifer in a Kings uniform unless somebody gets real ill in the front office. J-Will also has said he wants to stay here. I'll tell you something I do believe -- just my opinion -- but should J-Will start believing that he has to take the ball to the hole three times as much as he shoots a three, begin fouling people before he lets them drive past (him), work harder than he ever has to prevent his man from getting the ball, and get up extra shots for a half-hour before and after practice, then C-Webb stays -- after the Kings win the title this season. That's how good and influential he can be, in my opinion. But he clearly doesn't know that or doesn't care. I know he's not scared. He just plays like it sometimes.
Q: When do you think Chris Webber will be back?
A: (Today.) But that probably means Tuesday against Toronto (at Arco Arena). What do I know? I thought he'd have been back already. Then again, I haven't examined his ankle.
Q: I am sure you noticed that recently it seems the guys are making a concerted effort to set some back picks for Peja. After watching his display against New York (visions of Reggie Miller), do you see them taking it a step further and starting to stack picks like Indiana does for Reggie?
A: I don't know if that's the guys or (coach Rick) Adelman's adjustments on offense. I think it's clear that Peja could average 25 or 30 (points) in this league if turned loose. And the guy has been playing absolutely great defense. He's been the single most enjoyable thing for me to watch this season. Six-foot-9 with all that game, work ethic and guts. I think pick and roll with him and Webber is going to be so sweet for as long as it lasts.
Q: In your one-on-one interview with Chris Webber in Tuesday's paper, C-Webb seemed really defensive. Was it a hard interview to do? Why doesn't Chris want to talk more about his future? Chris should not hold out on us. As a highly paid star, he should realize that answering tough questions comes with the job.
A: Actually, I thought he went with best defense is good offense. Very easy interview to do. Webb is the best. Frank, emotional, thoughtful and doesn't give a "bleep." Webb held out on one question -- why he moved out into the suburbs. Why he didn't answer that on the record, I don't know. Bottom line is most people will opt to live in the nicest, safest homes they can. A lot of times, that's in the suburbs. However, in more diverse cities, that does not mean living in almost completely Caucasian neighborhoods and certainly not in Washington and Detroit or Oakland, where he has lived in the past.
