Chris Webber: Not A Hollywood Ending

It seems vaguely odd to feel sorry for a multimillionaire but that is my first reaction upon hearing that Chris Webber has retired. There is no doubting his enormous talent. The statistics will show that he had terrific basketball skills. He was gifted. High expectations have followed Chris Webber from a very young age. He was expected to win at the college level and at the professional level. And he did win but it was always short of a championship.

Now, injuries have ended any come back possibilities with the Golden State Warriors. It was suppose to be another try for a championship. It was another of those expectations. That has come to an end, even before the season’s playoffs have started.

There will not be any ‘Hollywood endings’. Controversies, even off the basketball courts, have plagued Chris Webber. The legal entanglements have been well documented and a part of his athletic career. Nevertheless, it seems ironic that such a singular talent did not ascend to the highest goals. Championships eluded Chris Webber and turned him into a ‘Shakespearean hero’. It was great potential unrealized. It leaves one wondering about the possibilities and how it could have been different. It is a reminder that Shakespeare often did not write happy endings.

Catherine Forsythe
Director of Operations
FlyingHamster: http://flyinghamster.com/

additional link: As always, J.A. Adande provides an excellent perspective. He was there.

Tags: nba, chris webber, retirement, expectations, championships, shakespeare, golden state warriors