Chris Webber on why he decided to become a "glue guy" for early 2000s Kings: "We were always David fighting against Goliath"

Chris Webber on why he decided to become a “glue guy” for early 2000s Kings: “We were always David fighting against Goliath” originally appeared on Basketball Network.

The Los Angeles Lakers’ reign of terror in the NBA in the early 2000s largely went unchecked. With Shaquille O’Neal overpowering interior defenses and Kobe Bryant shredding whoever dared to try and check him on the perimeter, the Purple and Gold won three straight NBA titles from 2000 to 2002.

The Lakers were so dominant in those NBA Finals showdowns that they only lost a combined three games in those appearances. However, there was one team that put fear deep into their hearts: the Sacramento Kings.

Their fear peaked in the infamous 2002 Western Conference finals when the Kings pushed the Lakers to the brink of defeat before losing in seven games. While the Kings at that time featured numerous talented players like Peja Stojakovic and Vlade Divac, savvy court general Mike Bibby and defensive pitbull Doug Christie, the team wouldn’t have worked as well as it did without their fearless leader, Chris Webber.

In an interview on the “Glue Guys,” Webber discussed how crucial it was to be the ultimate glue guy despite being the head of the snake, and how he developed this trait by listening to Kings’ assistant coach and Princeton legend, Pete Carril.

Webber love for coach Carril

Webber’s relationship with the Kings got off to a sour note as he initially did not want to play in Sacramento.

After tasting some success with the Washington Wizards, he sought more and even planned to team up with Shaquille O’Neal on the Lakers. However, conversations with head coach Rick Adelman and Carril helped change his mind, forever changing the trajectory of his basketball career.

Webber relayed that Carril asked him to ponder what he wanted his career to be known for. Did he want to just be a scorer? Or did he want to leave a lasting impact and build a legacy as a leader, teammate and all-around player?

“When you want to win, it’s really about the full environment,” Webber shared. “Coach Carril, who was the coach at Princeton at the time — Coach Pete Carril — came to our team, and I absolutely loved this man. He was a walking encyclopedia when it came to basketball.”

“He gave me a book, and it was ‘The Fast Take From the Strong.’ We talked about how the trend was to be strong, but really it should be to be fast. And he was like, ‘What does that mean mentally?'” he continued. “He asked me a question. He said, ‘What do you want to be known for?’ He said, ‘You can have the same stats here, and we’ll be lost in a small town — the highest tax bracket, the smallest supporting fan base — or you can make something special. And it’s about legacy.'”

Cultivated a winning culture

Before Webber arrived in Sacramento, the franchise was mired in a lengthy postseason drought, with only one playoff appearance in the previous 12 seasons. Revitalizing the team would require far more than simply adding a few skilled players — it demanded a fundamental transformation.

For Webber, it meant setting the tone and developing a winning culture, which began with his unselfish play. While he undoubtedly could command possession of the ball every time down the floor, he made a conscious effort to involve his teammates and spread the wealth.

“Playing with a guy like Vlade Divac, who was a great passer — or a guy like Peja, who you’re a fool if you don’t pass him the ball because he’s going to make the shot — our whole thing was having that great culture,” Webber explained.

“So I think when you’re a leader, being a glue guy is even that much more important. Because it takes away from your ego — to step back and let those that know what they’re doing, do it with passion. And then, when it’s time, to step in as well and help build that culture. That’s what I wanted to do — build the culture in the locker room where we were friends and family first. Because we were always going to be David, fighting with a rock against Goliath,” he concluded.

While David never got to slay the NBA’s version of Goliath during that time, the Kings were a team worth remembering due to their strong bonds and chemistry, which often resulted in beautiful basketball.

This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 21, 2025, where it first appeared.

Chris Webber on why he decided to become a “glue guy” for early 2000s Kings: “We were always David fighting against Goliath”

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