By Danny Abbes

It takes a superstar to win a championship, right? Shaq and Kobe, a tandem of superstars, won the last two. Before that, Duncan's Spurs won in the season truncated by player/owner negotiations. Jordan, the game's brightest and most celebrated star, dominated the 90s with six rings. Then there's Hakeem's Rockets, Magic's Lakers, Bird's Celtics...

And Thomas' Pistons?

Thomas, though clearly the best player on his team, seemed only regarded as an NBA superstar in retrospect of his championships. And by superstar I'm talking about the game's absolute elite, those who score by will when necessary, those who completely and consistently "carry" their teams to victories. The type of player who can be the focal point of a championship team. But sometimes it's in doubt until it actually happens. Most often, you must beat the favorite to become the favorite. And until somebody actually defeats Kobe and Shaq, LA's always supposed to win.

A couple of players still in contention for the 2002 trophy remind me of Thomas and his Pistons.

The Nets with Kidd have some semblance to that Detroit team in the respect that each are anchored by their point-guard who entirely controls the game. Kidd opens easy opportunities for every player to score with deft passing, then when needed, scores the ball himself. And he's never been a scorer. But like a true champion, he's now made himself into one. The all-around dependability makes him a superstar. Isiah was this same way.

But what immediately eliminates New Jersey is their incomparable supporting cast. Dumars, Agguire, Rodman, Salley, Laimbeer and Vinnie Johnson embarass the likes of Van Horn, Kittles, Martin, MacCulloch, Harris and Jefferson. Perhaps more years of experience for a couple of the younger Nets, plus one or two additional pieces, and New Jersey will rise to more serious contention.

However, Sacramento seems nearly there.

Chris Webber and the Kings, though a frontcourt player and an offensive-based team, are ironically similar to the great point-guard Thomas and the defensive-based Pistons. Webber is, like Isiah was for Detroit, the best player on a team laden with talent. And Webber and Sacramento, unlike anyone still standing, actually have a chance to overthrow the favorites.

Webber doesn't handle the ball and his main job isn't setting everyone else up; his first job is to look at the basket. But he is a great passer. And if he can balance and orchestrate the correct times to score with the correct times to find cutters and open jumpshooters, all the while procuring necessary rebounds, Webber can undoubtedly lead Sacramento to a ring. But far easier said than done.

Accomplishing all of that is one arduous task, and it's fulfillable by only the talent, savvy and will of a superstar.

Is Chris Webber a superstar?

Well, remember, sometimes that status is only apparent after the championship.