The Chris Webber Karma Could Hit Pacers’ Coach Jim O’Brien

Indiana Pacers coach Jim O’Brien discusses his experiences coaching Chris Webber in Philadelphia:

He clearly was toward the end of his career. It became very apparent he wasn’t going to give the 76ers everything we had hoped for.

Webber didn’t practice at all that year prior to coming to us. He didn’t practice at all the previous six weeks. I think he was just at the point where he didn’t necessarily feel where he was in need of practice, or could practice, or couldn’t practice and play at the same time.

"He said, ’Coach, I don’t do the low-post thing anymore,’’’ O’ Brien recalled. "We just made a major trade to bring in this (6-foot-10) guy and he said, ’No.’ I said, ’Yes, you do.’’

My Quick Take: Not exactly a glowing reference for C-Webb, huh? O’Brien, his former coach in Philly, is right. After surgery, Webber’s game changed. Shifting from the post to a jump-shooting big man limited his effectiveness.

O’Brien assessment may be fair, but he’s not being smart. Coaches calling out players years later looks unprofessional-no matter how deserving of criticism individuals may be (I’ll never forget Larry Brown, after leaving the 76ers for the Pistons, implying Allen Iverson was an ass in an interview).

Webber had attitude. And Webber was difficult. This isn’t breaking news. The power forward had issues in Golden State, Washington, and Sacramento, so why would Philadelphia be different?

By airing dirty laundry, O’Brien appears vindictive and loses whatever moral high ground he had –or thought he had.

O’Brien’s comments won’t impact Webber. He’ll sign somewhere, not make a difference, and likely retire without an NBA Title.

Karma works. So O’Brien should keep quiet before it finds him.

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