Kings to retire Webber, Divac's jerseys

[Andrew]

Story @ RealGM

The Sacramento Kings announced they are retiring the jersey numbers worn by Chris Webber and Vlade Divac.

Webber, a power forward who played seven seasons with the franchise, will have his #4 retired Feb. 6 when the Kings host the Utah Jazz.

On March 31, when Sacramento takes on the New Orleans Hornets, the #21 jersey of Divac will be hung on the rafters, as well.

A little surprising perhaps but I would say appropriate, they were two of the most significant players during some of the team's best years in Sacramento.

[D7H7N]

Man that old Sac team used to be sooo good.

Divac, Webber, Stojakovic, Christie, Bibby starting with Turkoglu, Brad Miller, Bobby Jackson, and Gerald Wallace off the bench O_o

Sucks they got boned by the Refs and Lakers in 02 Playoffs

[Kenny]

Yeah, that team was definitely one of the best not to get a championship. Their acquisition of Divac was definitely a turning point, so well deserved I think

[The X]

both retired jerseys are well-deserved....great to see both getting numbers retired

[Fresh8]

Webber was awesome in his Sacramento years. I never realized he was so good but that was because I only started following basketball during 2002-03... so the Kings were sort of in the middle of their 'glory'. I'm not surprised about Webber but Divac: can someone tell me of his significance?

[astro]

I only started following basketball during 2002-03...

if you say so... but I can't believe if you are ready to say something like your next sentence.

I'm not surprised about Webber but Divac: can someone tell me of his significance?

What can I say, start to follow basketball...

[Jackal]

He was quite key, that team really was a team team, not a superstar surrounded by other players team.

His passing (along with Chris') & his jumper (not to forget his flopping) were key factors in them being that good. I never liked Divac due to his flopping and his mug in general, but I was pleased when he re-joined LA after Shaq's departure. Too bad he wasn't much of a factor anymore. Great passing big guy though, he made some really, really nice passes.

[Fresh8]

What can I say, start to follow basketball...

If you actually gave me a proper answer, your post wouldn't be so pointless.

[CMJ3]

I used to like Webber well i still do he was one of my favourite players back in the day. I think i got his jersey lying around somewhere. Its a shame he didn't get a ring. Has anyone from that Kings team actually won a ring?

[Dan's Brain]

Has anyone from that Kings team actually won a ring?

Jason Williams technically was for a bit, and won a title with the Heat.

[astro]

@Sit

I'm sorry, Sit. Somehow I was offended by your comment and I apologize to you.

I'm not sure that Divac deserved such an honour because he was an excellent basketball player, although, he was good. Webber was significantly better player... but that is not enough on a regular basis (I believe Stephon Marbury is/was a better player than Divac and it doesn't mean anything). The fact is that when it is about chemistry, it was all about Divac. He was a good player, plus an amazing man, on and off the court... That was/is Divac's best quality. I do believe that Divac deserved retiring of his jersey number because of his heart at first place.

[The X]

As others have said, although Divac wasn't the most talented player, with his smarts, passing ability & clutch play, he became probably the team's most important player during their successful years....when Webber was disappearing & shooting jumpers, Divac would make the big plays....

[Andrew]

I remember the biggest story of the 2000/2001 season (or at least one of the biggest stories) was Webber's impending free agency, much like Tim Duncan/Grant Hill/Tracy McGrady the year before and the 2010 offseason speculation these days. All sorts of issues were trotted out as potential reasons he'd leave Sacramento and then he ended up signing that big seven year deal.