Why They Rank
The hub of Sacramento's gorgeous early-2000s offense, a five-time All-Star, and one of the most skilled passing power forwards in history. Webber's combination of scoring, rebounding, and court vision was ahead of its time.
The Career
Chris Webber was the most skilled power forward of the early 2000s — a 6'10" player with point-guard passing, a reliable mid-range jumper, and post moves that rivaled any big man in the league. His Sacramento Kings teams from 2001 to 2004 were among the most entertaining and well-constructed rosters in NBA history, playing a beautiful brand of basketball that featured Webber as the hub of a high-post passing offense.
The 2002 Western Conference Finals between Sacramento and the Lakers remains one of the most controversial series in NBA history. Game 6 — in which the Lakers shot 27 free throws in the fourth quarter — is still debated, and many believe Webber's Kings were robbed of a championship that year. Sacramento's style of play — unselfish, pass-first, motion-heavy — was ahead of its time and deserved better.
Webber's career was derailed by a devastating knee injury in the 2003 playoffs that robbed him of his explosiveness. Before the injury, he was a five-time All-Star and one of the most complete offensive big men in basketball. After it, he was still productive but never the same dominant force. His Fab Five legacy at Michigan, while complicated by scandal, cemented his cultural significance beyond his NBA career.
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