Apr 8, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; TNT broadcaster
Chris Webberduring the NBA game between the Houston Rockets and the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
7. Just imagine… if Orlando took Chris Webber instead of Penny Hardaway in the 1993 Draft
A: Penny was a great fit for that team but Webber would have managed to keep Shaq in Orlando and help bring them a championship. The NBA was in a rebuilding mode once Jordan left and was looking for a young team to lead the way. A team with Shaq, Webber, Dennis Scott, Horace Grant and Nick Anderson would fit that bill.
The NBA Finals series against the veteran Rockets would have went differently. Not saying they would have won, but I don’t see them getting swept.
Brian Shaw was not a 20-point scorer but he didn’t have to be if he had Webber and Shaq down low, along with Scott and Anderson on the wings knocking down perimeter shots on a consistent basis. Plus, you add the fact of Penny’s injury problems, which took his explosiveness away while Webber had been solid his whole career.
His style of play would have created more open space for Shaq to dominate down low. You can also throw in the case that Webber was an underrated defender on the blocks as well. That NBA Finals loss against Houston could have been the taste of success that was needed before striking oil. Years later, this could have been the team that people talk about when discussing a dynasty.
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