WELCOME HOME WEBBER – FAB FIVE AGAIN?

 

Apparently the crowd was deafening today at the mere sight of Detroit’s own – Chris Webber as he made his way through the crowd to his baseline seat to watch a rare Monday afternoon Pistons basketball game. Did anyone actually care that the T-Wolves beat our Pistons (not at terribly difficult thing to do this season) 94-90. No. Did anyone still consider the Webber that at one time lied under oath to protect ex-Michigan booster – Ed Martin? Perhaps but for the most part…NO. Not on this day. Not at this moment. Instead it was more of a thought of what’s to come for Webber now that he’s back home in Detroit and mainly, what’s to come for our Detroit Pistons who haven’t exactly been “GOIN TO WORK” with as much fire and desire as of late. The loss today simply confirms the obvious. A big move was needed. Well Detroit got their man and made the move that could very well take them back to that prestigious next level of the NBA again.

Although Webber isn’t officially a Piston yet, he has made it vocal. Tomorrow he officially becomes a free agent and will sign with Detroit. He might even start on Wednesday against Utah. Being as he is already in town, I see no reason why he won’t. Webber was all smiles, sitting at the game in a sports coat and purple T-shirt. That’s appropriate because when I heard he was going to sign today that’s exactly the state that I was in.

The simple fact is that Webber is a 5-time all star. He was waived by Philadelphia last week and to the 76ers I say, “Thank you.” Even though he had more then enough talent to remain with Philly, the simple fact is he no longer fit in with the 76ers, nor did his hefty contract (21 million this season and 22 million for the next) and after the Allen Iverson trade to the Nuggets, both sides needed a split and Webber got what he desperately needed from Philly who are now clearly entering a rebuilding phase. According to Webber, “Joining the Pistons will allow me the opportunity to play the game I love in my hometown of Detroit surrounded by my family.” CASE CLOSED.

 

 

When asked about the signing, Piston Head Coach – Flip Saunders claimed, “We think Chris is going to be a great fit for the way we play. The guys are excited, I’m excited and the town’s going to be excited.” Of course you’re excited, Flip! This may just be the Dumars’ move that saved your job in Detroit. Knowing that, I’d be excited too. This is a coach that is clearly not getting anything out of his players this season and with his re-occurring problems with Rasheed Wallace (claims everything is fine but you really have to wonder when he starts missing practice and is pulled from the starting lineup), Nazr Mohammed (wants more playing time and is vocal about wanting a trade should he see less now that Webber is a Piston) and even Tayshaun Prince (has been vocal in saying that this team doesn’t have the right attitude that they should at this point in the season). If the quiet Prince is speaking out, you know things aren’t well no matter what is said.

 

Enter the perfect remedy named Chris Webber. Don’t get me wrong Piston fans. I am not saying that Webber will be the say all and the end all here. That being said, he’s another big man down low and he’s a strong overall talent that will get physical if needed. That is something the Pistons so desperately need after the loss of Ben Wallace which, don’t kid yourselves, weighs on this team EVERY SINGLE DAY OF THEIR LIVES. Ben gave the Pistons an attitude and almost an aura about them. With him gone, teams are less weary about taking the ball to the whole. Webber will help in that area but it’s his ability to score that really makes this an interesting pickup and finally the Pistons now have 5 men on the court that can score. The 6 foot 10 Webber is expected to start at center next to Rasheed Wallace at power forward. This twosome will more then likely be as feared as any other in the league once Webber settles in. It should be interesting.  

  

As mentioned earlier, Webber is coming back to familiar territory. He was born in Detroit and was one of the nation’s best college players at U of M. He won state high school titles at Detroit Country Day and led Michigan’s Fab Five to NCAA championship games in 1992 and 1993. His accomplishments were tarnished though when it was discovered that he had ties to the aforementioned infamous Michigan booster – Ed Martin. This led to federal charges against both Webber other Fab Fivers and it also led to the NCAA laying down sanctions against the university. Michigan took down the banners that Webber helped the Wolverines earn as part of its punishment and removed his name from its media guide and basketball arena. In 2003, the NCAA forced the school to dissociate itself for 10 years from Webber and the other former players such as Robert Traylor and Louis Bullock. On top of that… Michigan was not eligible for postseason play for two years, they lost scholarships and were placed on probation. Some feel the basketball program has NEVER recovered despite it being so many years later and I am one of them. Although I don’t personally like that particular situation or agree with what Webber and Martin supposedly did and the manner by which they did it, at this point in time, I say, “WHO CARES?” This is a new era in time for Webber, the Pistons and Michigan on the whole and I say power to it!

Webber’s career numbers speak for themselves. How about 21.4 points per game to go with 10 rebounds (he averaged 20 and 9 a game last season)? Adding Webber to the Pistons gives them the obvious four starters who are already there in… G – Chauncey Billups (still a free agent but this signing might help him change his mind), G – Rip Hamilton, F – Tayshaun Prince, F – Rasheed Wallace and now… F – Chris Webber will be officially added to that list tomorrow, perhaps creating the possibility of a second Fab Five in Michigan. This will give Webber the chance to pay back Michigan for what he did and in turn, possibly create another FAB FIVE for basketball in the state of Michigan. Will he? Won’t he? The answer is soon to come but I absolutely LOVE THIS DAY. Despite all that has happened in the past, I know I speak for many a Michigan sports fan when I say today…”CHRIS WEBBER…WELCOME HOME!”

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