By Steve Apel (Eugene, Oregon)

Big Game Chris?

Chris Webber has been a dominant force since he entered the league in 1993, but as great as he is, he will continue to be considered overrated until he can step up and lead the Kings when it matters, while defeating the Lakers.

CWebb has always been the man. He was in high school, he was in college, and he now is in Sacramento. Yet, what has it gotten him? A fat contract and a gorgeous fiancee yes, but what has he won? Two NCAA Titles berths, and some mediocre playoff performances. Webber has yet to show what he's been hyped as his whole career - a truly great player.

How is Chris Webber different from Allen Iverson? Although Allen hasn't won anything either, he always performs in the big games, something Webber rarely does. Take the past LA series, 2 crucial misses at the line towards the end of the game, and countless other blunders in the most important of moments. It isn't Webber's job to win the games, it is his job however to put up a valiant effort.

If it wasn't for Mike Bibby's out of body experience vs LA, the Kings may have gotten swept. He was the only player who truly brought it, and he almost single-handedly beat the Lakers. Bibby did what Webber fails to do, make the big shots. Bibby repeatedly hit the big buckets to keep the Kings in the series, and almost won it in game 7. If Webber could do that, then Sacramento would be the capital of California*.

Although it is easy to put the blame on the star player when his team fails to win, sometimes it is deserved. With the amount of ability Webber has, he has no excuse not to put up 25, 10, and 5 a night. Especially against a team like LA that lacks a true power forward, he should be able to put up those numbers. Rasheed Wallace feasts on their power forwards, why can't he?

It may not be fair to judge today's players versus the likes of the Los Angeles Lakers, but at least putting up a respectable effort should be assumed. Webber may not play horribly, but as long as he keeps folding at the most crucial of times, it will be hard to put him in the same category as the top players in the league. Mike Bibby on the other hand...

When will "Da Kid" turn into "Da Winner?"

Kevin Garnett is a remarkable player who seems to develop more and more every year. His numbers may have dropped slightly since his MVP caliber season in 2000, but KG continues to wreak havoc throughout the league.

Similar to Chris Webber, KG doesn't necessarily have the best playoff track record. However, Garnett's struggles come from a team perspective, and Webber's faults are his own performances.

If Kevin Garnett was on the Kings, there would be no dynasty. No dynasty for LA that is. It is amazing how well Garnett is able to make the TWolves play during the regular season. Much like Iverson and TMac, Garnett doesn't have a whole lot of help around him. Although Wally is an all-star, he'll never be more than a 2nd option. What about at point guard, Terrell Brandon hasn't played a full season in years, and lets not get started about the center position.

KG is able to take a bunch of sub-par players and turn them into a playoff team, why he doesn't get the MVP every single year is beyond me. Much like Garnett's new commercial, you can tell it is eating at him the lack of success he's had. He is doing everything he is capable of, but if the role players aren't able to hit shots, then he'll never make it out of the first round.

Some might say, why is he letting the role players take the shots? Shouldn't he be greedy, look at AI? If there is anything one can say that Kevin Garnett is doing wrong, it can be why he is passing the ball off. Yet how much can he do when he is getting double, and triple teamed? He isn't a guard who can dribble out of it, he is a big man who relies on the shots of others to open up his game. He won't be able to take a clutch shot until his teammates show that they can make a basket.

KG will get his, you can bet on that. He's only 26, and one day he will make it out of the first round, and eventually win a ring. Is Minnesota the answer? Apparently it is to him. Yet the TWolves will have to make some changes and bring in some players who can shoot, or else Garnett's frustrations will continue to live on.