Webber’s career path is not exactly like Bob McAdoo’s, but it has similarities. McAdoo was a supremely talented big man who played on teams like the Buffalo Braves, New York Knicks, Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons. He was always his team’s top scorer and most prominent star, and as a result was often ripped for not making horrible teams better. But when McAdoo came to the Lakers to be a scorer off the bench on a star-studded team, his mood and outlook brightened, and basketball was fun again. He was instrumental in helping L.A. win the championship in 1982.

If Webber came to the Lakers, he undoubtedly would experience a similar renaissance. The Lakers don’t necessarily need him, but they sure could use him. At his best, Webber is a reliable scorer both in the post and from the perimeter. His experience would prove beneficial on a team that is startlingly young.

Certainly there is a concern about his attitude. If he came to the Lakers, would he and Kobe Bryant butt heads? Would Webber sulk and pout when he doesn’t get his way, as he is wont to do?

Webber has been a problem child, but he’s no imbecile. He understands that his reputation is in tatters, and that he’s down to his last chance. If somebody throws you a life preserver, the natural reaction is to be grateful, not to complain that it isn’t big and fancy enough. No matter which team he lands on, Webber would be insane if he did anything other than play his heart out in whatever role he’s asked to perform.

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The Lakers are in fine shape without C-Web. They can play with anybody in the NBA. But that isn’t the goal. The goal is to beat anybody in the NBA in a seven-game playoff series. These Lakers are getting there, but they’re not there yet. Adding Webber — especially since Chris Mihm is out for the year and Kwame Brown and Lamar Odom are slow to recover from their injuries — would boost their prospects considerably.

Since Webber already has enough money to buy his own franchise, he probably could be had by the Lakers for a pittance. If Webber is in a positive state of mind and has his priorities straight — i.e., wanting to play for a winner and enjoy himself rather than sell himself to the highest bidder to feed his ego — he’ll gladly jump aboard without regard to salary. At this point, it should be about winning. Personal redemption will come with team success.

This is one time that Chris Webber needs to take a timeout. It’ll give him a chance to think about where he’s been, and where he should go next to forget about where he’s been.