Boston Celtics executive vice president M. L. Carr was all smiles as he left the USAir Arena on Saturday, his team having escaped with a one-point win over the Washington Bullets. But after witnessing the debut of Chris Webber and Juwan Howard in Washington uniforms, he knows the Bullets will now be a more difficult team to beat.
"I'd much rather see Webber on the West Coast than the East Coast, but it's more exciting here," Carr said. "The Bullets are going to be a strong, strong team for a long, long time."
Webber hadn't practiced before Saturday's 103-102 loss, and had a cram session of the team's playbook just over an hour before game time. Howard had just Friday's practice behind him, and hadn't played a high-level game of basketball since the NCAA tournament in March. So neither player was totally comfortable on the floor in the game.
But they showed flashes of ability that definitely brightens the team's future. Howard had a double-double in his debut, scoring 10 points and grabbing 11 rebounds (he had eight points and seven rebounds in the fourth quarter) in 22 minutes. Webber had nine points, nine rebounds and four blocks in 23 minutes, despite spending the previous night flying cross country from California. Despite the loss, Washington fans gave the team a nice ovation as it walked off the floor.
"This is my new team, this is my future," Webber said, standing by Howard's side during a post-game news conference. "We're going to do some things here, and I'm looking forward to it."
Despite the fanfare and the national focus (writers from Sports Illustrated to the Los Angeles Times were here), the game wasn't particularly well played. Trying to get two new players adapted to a new system resulted in a lot of breakdowns, both offensively and defensively.
"It wasn't pretty out there at times," Bullets guard Scott Skiles said. "But I'm excited."
Excited because between now and Friday, when the Bullets play the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first of four games at the Baltimore Arena, the team has enough days to get Webber and Howard acclimated into their system.
Behind Webber and Howard the Bullets a 55-47 rebounding edge, with four players grabbing eight or more rebounds (Don MacLean had 10 and Kevin Duckworth had eight, to go along with a season-high 18 points).
"I hate to jump to conclusions over one game," Bullets coach Jim Lynam said. "But I think it was evident to anybody who was in the building that our rebounding has improved dramatically, our shot-blocking and intimidation in the basket area has taken a quantum leap, and our athleticism has improved. We're now explosive in terms that are not hard to describe."
And the Bullets, in a matter of days, are a team that looks to beat anybody on any given night. Asked when the last time the Bullets took the floor with that attitude, guard Rex Chapman was quick to respond.
"Maybe never since I've been here," said Chapman, who came to the Bullets in a trade for Tom Hammonds in February 1992. "These guys are talented, and I think it's going to be a lot of fun."
And having fun is just what Howard and Webber are all about. It was evident from the pre-game introductions, when Webber strutted on to the floor with a cocky nod of his head. When both, starting the game on the bench, became the team's loudest cheerleaders. And when, standing side-by-side after the loss, the two hugged and told everyone within earshot that the Bullets' future is going to be all right.
"I hate losing, as does every player," Webber said, when asked about expectations. "But I think we're on the same page here. We're going to be a part of something good."
The Celtics know it, and were happy to catch the Fab Two on opening night. They know it won't be as easy the next time, Jan. 9 in Boston.
"They've got new blood, and they play with a lot of enthusiasm," Dominique Wilkins said. "They are going to be a strong team for years to come."