How plausible was it for Sacramento to win b2b titles in 02’ and 03’?

Hook_Em · Post #1 » by **Hook_Em** » Wed Jan 29, 2025 8:32 pm

We know what happened in 02’ and Webber got hurt in the 03’ playoffs. In 03’ the Kings were 2nd in NET despite Webber and Bibby missing 15+ games each.

SNPA · Post #2 » by **SNPA** » Wed Jan 29, 2025 8:34 pm

Very.

Post #3 » by **tsherkin** » Wed Jan 29, 2025 9:39 pm

I don't think Webber would have helped them beat the Mavs in 03. They didn't need more gunning with weak D. They were already getting ripped. Their problem in that series was Nick Van Exel destroying their livelihoods and the Mavs rocking 4 guys up over 40% from 3 in volume.

Webber wouldn't have been any kind of change to that. Mind that they even split the two games he did play.

ANd honestly, 02 is overplayed so much. They had their chance in Game 7 and didn't get it done. They got into the bonus in 6 minutes in game 6, so the FT volume was huge and you can say what you wanna say about how all of that went, but they still had game 7 after that. And they could have handled business in Game 4, but they got Horry'd in the 4th.

The Kings had their chances and didn't put LA away. One quarter of dubious officiating didn't change that.

Post #4 » by **Texas Chuck** » Wed Jan 29, 2025 9:45 pm

Possible sure. Likely, nope. Let's say Webber doesn't get hurt and they beat Dallas(very plausible they won 2 of 3 series from Dallas played in consecutive seasons), they still have to beat the peak Duncan Spurs and the Nets(I know they get dismissed here, but the Kings aren't cakewalking them by any means).

And as pointed out that one call didn't end their ability to beat LA, but then you have to keep going and win another series. Which is hard.

What ifs like this are mostly copium.

Special_Puppy · Post #5 » by **Special_Puppy** » Wed Jan 29, 2025 9:51 pm

They outscored the Lakers in the 2002 Western Conference Finals. They took a great Dallas team to 7 without Chris Webber. Could have totally gone back to back although the Spurs would have been a tough out.

One_and_Done · Post #6 » by **One_and_Done** » Wed Jan 29, 2025 11:01 pm

They certainly beat the Nets.

Post #7 » by **tsherkin** » Wed Jan 29, 2025 11:10 pm

One_and_Done wrote:They certainly beat the Nets.

They don't eve certainly beat the Spurs, whom the Nets took to 7.

One_and_Done · Post #8 » by **One_and_Done** » Wed Jan 29, 2025 11:21 pm

tsherkin wrote:
One_and_Done wrote:They certainly beat the Nets.

They don't eve certainly beat the Spurs, whom the Nets took to 7.

6.

Post #9 » by **tsherkin** » Wed Jan 29, 2025 11:22 pm

One_and_Done wrote:
tsherkin wrote:
One_and_Done wrote:They certainly beat the Nets.

They don't eve certainly beat the Spurs, whom the Nets took to 7.

6.

6, yes.

Post #10 » by **Doctor MJ** » Thu Jan 30, 2025 12:20 am

Hook_Em wrote:We know what happened in 02’ and Webber got hurt in the 03’ playoffs. In 03’ the Kings were 2nd in NET despite Webber and Bibby missing 15+ games each.

They were at their best in '03-04 when Webber sat injured, so I don't think Webber getting hurt is the type of massive negative people think.

Granted that's a little unfair because the Kings didn't have Brad Miller in those previous years, and so Webber was actually somewhat impactful.

Post #11 » by **pillwenney** » Sat Feb 1, 2025 6:41 pm

Didn't think it would revelatory to say that Chris Webber helped the Kings, but he did. They absolutely get past Dallas in 03, and one doesn't have to even mention the officiating to accurately say the 02 series against the Lakers was a toss-up.

I don't take it as a given they get past the Spurs in 03 at all, nor am I saying a repeat would be likely. But plausible? Absolutely.