If you made a list of all the experts who had a theory on whether Chris Webber would re-sign with the Sacramento Kings, you probably wouldn’t pencil in the name Andrew Mitchell.
He is the coach of the Livingstone College women’s basketball team, not an NBA club. He lives in Salisbury, North Carolina, not a burgeoning metropolis with a professional basketball franchise.
But a few days ago, Mitchell had a definite opinion on the Webber situation.
“I was at a pool party at Chris Webber’s house ....”
Hold it right there.
I had to gather myself for a second. Andrew Mitchell, the North Rowan grad and former Catawba College hoops star, was at a pool party at Chris Webber’s house?
How does that happen?
Mitchell grinned and continued.
“I had a feeling when I left that he’d stay,” Mitchell recalled. “Webber said, ‘We need two (pool parties), one in preseason and one after the season.’”
Was Mitchell telling me about a dream he had one night? Was he in some kind of fantasy world or something? How does Andrew Mitchell become a pool party guest at Chris Webber’s sizable Sacramento mansion?
Mitchell grinned again and nodded toward one of his buddies, a guy, who, at the time, was signing autographs and shirts and mugging for the cameras with little kids.
Bobby Jackson.
Well, why didn’t you say so to begin with, Andrew?
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Jackson, 28, who signed with Sacramento before last season as a free agent, spent his entire offseason in his hometown. He spent most of it with the 36-year old Mitchell, working out and playing basketball.
His last official act here came on Tuesday when he sat at the local Lincoln Mercury Mazda dealership.
The dealership provides a car when he is home. Jackson provides autographs, hugs and a handshake to anyone who wants it.
Jackson was asked if he had been swamped with these requests all summer.
“This is it,” Jackson said. “And that’s how I want it.”
The former Big Ten Player of the Year (at Minnesota) came home to relax and stay in shape after helping the high-scoring Kings to their best season ever.
But curiously, he said he couldn’t wait to get back to California — to relax.
“I don’t stop when I’m here, smiled Jackson, a 1992 graduate of Salisbury High. “I’m always doing something. I enjoy coming home but I’m a laid-back guy and that’s why I’m ready to go.”
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Jackson can’t wait to get out west to hook up with Webber, his Sacramento neighbor. He had worked out with Webber’s younger brother and had the feeling all along that the big man would re-sign.
Because of teammates. Because of the fans. Because of a future with a young, talented team.
Oh yeah, there was also that thing called money. Sacramento could offer $123 million. No other club could give him more than $94 million.
Decisions, decisions.
“I could’ve made that choice,” mused Jackson. “I’d go with the most money.”
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Because of the doubt surrounding Webber, it was a stressful season for Kings fans, who Jackson calls the very best anywhere.
“It’s ridiculous how loud they are,” he said. “They love the Kings. And they were like that when the team was sorry!”
If Webber didn’t sign, many would write off Sacramento. Jackson and his teammates knew what he was going through.
“There was a point where he didn’t want to be bothered,” Jackson said.“So we let him be. We respected what he wanted.”
Jackson was watching TV when he heard the Webber announcement.
“I was paging him and paging him,” Jackson said. “I’m sure a lot of people were trying to get in touch with him but he wasn’t returning calls.”
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Jackson is elated with Webber’s decision because they have become good friends, according to Mitchell.
Mitchell was invited to California for the playoffs. He and Blue Bear football coach Kevin Dial made the trip and sat behind the Sacramento bench when the Lakers came in town for Games 3 and 4 of the Western Conference showdown. The Lakers would eventually sweep on their way to a second straight NBA championship.
“I’ve been a Lakers fan all my life,” Mitchell said. “But I was a Sacramento fan until the Lakers won and then I went back to them.”
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Mitchell didn’t hide the fact he was sort of awestruck by the visit to Arco Arena. He had a pass that gave him access to everything. He watched his four favorite pro players — Jackson, Webber, Kobe and Shaq. He actually saw Shaq at a restaurant after one of the games.
And then, there was that pool party at Webber’s place.
“They live a nice life,” Mitchell said. “It’s not some of that Hollywood stuff you see on TV. It’s nice and secluded.
“It was an unreal experience for me. Two nights at Chris Webber’s house. Everything’s open to you.”
While Mitchell gushed about the visit, Jackson remained himself — quiet and unassuming.
“To watch Bobby’s everyday routine — getting his nephew off to school, eating breakfast, the pre-game and watching how intense he is working out — it makes me understand why he is where he is,” Mitchell said.
“He’s a very humble guy. You don’t get the feeling he’s a star and that makes it good. You don’t have to be tense and tight. You can be yourself.”
Even when you’re lounging around at a pool party at Chris Webber’s house, Andrew?
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Contact Ronnie Gallagher at 704-797-4256 or rgallagher@salisburypost.com
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