Webber Takes Shot at Rose Over Fab Five Doc

Submitted by Geaux_Blue on
Interviewed on Dan Patrick, he was asked if he liked it. He intimated he wasn't asked to be a part of the doc until a week left to finish it and found that the focus lingered a bit too heavily on (not a direct quote) "people looking to regain their importance" with highlights that embellished certain players' scoring, etc. Noted he didn't want to be above the group but intimates "somebody wanted to be Hollywood and make it about them." That the team never wanted to be loved but the doc seemed to be focused on winning that love and how someone is now trying to be a martyr and get glory. Left Golden State to be with Howard on the worst team in the league due to a contract dispute with Golden State.

He's writing a book (which includes a significant portion on Izzo interestingly enough, and credits him for recruiting his brother and used the word "love" to describe him) but this definitely shifts the focus off of Webber and on to Rose if you take him at his word. Also states Izzo is one of the best men he knows. Was asked if he had a do-over he refused to answer due to the lack of interest in "answering honestly in the mood he's in." Sounds like Webber may even have regrets going Blue.

This could be a big topic moving forward

03 Blue 07

May 13th, 2015 at 11:08 AM ^

From a personal standpoint, I couldn't disagree more. Were it not for Chris Webber, there would've been no Fab Five. Without the Fab Five, I would've never become a Michigan fan from 500 miles away. Without that fandom, I likely wouldn't have gone to U-M for two degrees (Northwestern's a pretty good school, after all; that was the other option both times). 

From a macro standpoint, I disagree as well. The Fab Five were a cultural phenomenon and were heroes to a generation of kids, kids who became Michigan fans (who otherwise weren't) and who grew up to be adults who were Michigan fans. There was nothing like them before, nor since. 

Elmer

May 13th, 2015 at 3:14 PM ^

I'm well aware there would not have been a fab five and I'm quite OK with that.  

As for Michigan baskeball not being well known, your absolutely wrong.  I seem to recall a naional championship in 1989, a trip to the finals in 1976 and some guy named Cazzie Russell who played on some great teams.

Now get your baggy shorts off my lawn!

93Grad

May 13th, 2015 at 3:25 PM ^

no Ed Martin scandal, no probation, no ten years of terribleness, etc.  And yes I realize that other players after Webber took money from Martin, but Ed's invovlement in the program increased becasue of Webber and the Fab Five.

Don't get me wrong, I loved watching the Fab Five, but it is a tarnished legacy for good reason. 

Amaizing Blue

May 13th, 2015 at 11:30 AM ^

Two great years and increased visibility for the program were nice, and I admit I enjoyed watching those guys as much as anyone.  However, for me at least, the massive stain left on the program and the university exponentially overshadows that.  Plus I find Webber to be an egotistical prick who only acknowledges being a part of that team when it personally benefits him.  His actions and words while at UM and afterward have proven he would have been a much better fit at MSU.  Neg away, hate the guy and believe he did as much to damage the school and program as any athlete we've ever had here.

 

CLord

May 13th, 2015 at 11:31 AM ^

Have WENT? And you're seriously saying you would have wanted the greatest basketball talent this state has produced since Magic Johnson to have also GONE to MSU?  That is about the dumbest thing I've read here in a while.  If your implication is that you wish the sanctions had hit State instead of us, well OK then, but damn man... WENT?

Tater

May 13th, 2015 at 12:10 PM ^

If there was a guarantee that State would have been caught and put on probation, I would wish he went to State, too.  At this point, I just wish he would STFU.  He's obviously a bitter POS who refuses to accept any responsibility for what he did and seems to blame Michigan for the NCAA having rules.

I don't agree with the rules about "benefits," but when someone digs a 10-year ditch for "his" school, accepts no responsibility and shows absolutely no contrition for what he did, I would rather see him just go away.

HollywoodHokeHogan

May 13th, 2015 at 2:14 PM ^

                  Contrary to popular opinion, Michigan had an good basketball program before the Fab Five, though to hear them tell it, they built whole program.  When they left, the program went into a decade plus long shit cycle of which we have only recently gotten out.  I wish they would've gone any where but Michigan. 

Tractor77

May 13th, 2015 at 10:45 AM ^

I'm glad he finally discussed why he wasn't in the Fab Five documentery. Now, Jalen knows why CWebb has ignored him since the doc came out. Seems like a lot of animosity there!

JClay

May 13th, 2015 at 10:53 AM ^

Jalen has always known. He did this video podcast thing with Simmons shortly after the National Title game 2 years ago where he goes into the whole thing and said basically "Chris doesn't like being called out, he doesn't respond well to that, he's private". Which, again, he's saying on a video podcast. Jalen either (a) does not sincerely want to fix their relationship, or (b) is too stupid to realize that doing something he knows upsets Webber is going to hurt that cause.

Jalen can yell "Michigan!" all he wants, at the end of the day he really only cares about Jalen.

woodfeld

May 13th, 2015 at 11:12 AM ^

This is pretty offensive.  Jalen Rose has donated money to the university and donated over $1 million to help kids in poor areas get better opportunities.  He's created a leadership academy for Detroit kids and paid to renovate his high school's gym.  He's ambassador and spokesman for the NBA's retired players association and won awards for his philathropy....yet Jalen only cares about Jalen.  Seriously?

JClay

May 13th, 2015 at 11:48 AM ^

This is totally non-sequitor. I didn't say Jalen is a terrible person. I think he's obnoxious and elevates his random thoughts to levels of such importance he literally cannot stop sharing them with other people even when it upsets others. He self promotes to near Bill Simmons-esque levels.

Yes, he gives money to charity and cares about social causes. So does Webber. So do the Koch brothers. Its intellectually dishonest to respond to a critique of someone's behavior with "well, he donate money to a charity and cares about things." So does everyone. People are complicated: they can both do some good things and be complete odious in other walks of life.

Needs

May 13th, 2015 at 12:04 PM ^

Here's a different counter-point, then. 

Jalen's one of the very, very few former athletes who is willing to share information about how these worlds that we're all very interested in (or we wouldn't be reading this blog) function from the athlete's perspective at the mundane, daily level. He'll share what it's like to be suddenly rich and living in a strange town. He'll share what it was like to be at an elite, wealthy university after growing up poor in Detroit (and both what he values about that university and how he felt exploited by it). He'll share how athletes manage night life and athletic careers. He'll share how he took care of his body. 

That kind of inside information is what lots of people want to hear. I think he does it in a mostly fascinating way that at least approaches the truth as he understands it. It is, in its nature, going to be centered on Jalen, because it's his perspective, and it seems uncharitable to call him out for being self-centered when so much of his current career involves him telling stories about himself that people seemingly want to hear.

DavidP814

May 13th, 2015 at 12:05 PM ^

First, it's Jalen "really only cares about Jalen."  Then, when you are appropriately called out for this comment, it's "People are complicated."

Oh, also earlier you stated that Jalen is either insincere or too stupid to fix his friendship with Webber.

Woodfeld's criticism of your comment is right on the money.  Maybe you should look up the definition of non sequitur (and also spell it correctly) before throwing it out on the message board.

MichiganMAN47

May 13th, 2015 at 12:17 PM ^

His argument wasn't a non-sequitur.



You said: "Jalen can yell "Michigan!" all he wants, at the end of the day he really only cares about Jalen."



He gave evidence that showed that Jalen does care about more than himself, through all of his efforts.



buddhafrog

May 13th, 2015 at 12:36 PM ^

This sentiment bothers me.  You don't have to like Jalen, his attitude, or his personality.  He's a sports entertainer (among many other things such as school founder for under-privaleged Detroit youth).  He entertains like an play-by-play or color anouncer. 

But man, that dude supports Michigan and always has.  Yeah, he loves himself, but I can't think of an alum athlete that vocally supports UM more than he does.

We would be so lucky to have more Jalen Roses on our side.  Quit hating on him and embrace him - he wants to be part of the family.

Valiant

May 13th, 2015 at 4:10 PM ^

Completely agree with this.  As a player, I loved me some Webber as much as anybody.  He may still be my favorite Michigan athlete ever (sorry Denard!).  The dude was just dominant on the college court and a real thrill to watch.  But off the court, he's proven to be nothing but a disappointment time and again...not even once hinting at an apology for his part in the whole fiasco.  That's not to say he's a terrible person, but a simple statement showing some accountability would have gone a long way toward creating some goodwill with the fanbase.  It's too bad he doesn't see that...or just doesn't care.

Jalen, on the other hand, is one of my favorite Michigan players "off the court".  I don't always agree with his commentary and do believe he enjoys attention a little too much, but how can you not respect the guy?  He obviously does care.

It's been posted on the board a couple of times before, but for anyone who hasn't seen the video about Jalen's school, it's worth checking out (sorry don't know how to embed)...

https://vimeo.com/116121523

Albatross

May 13th, 2015 at 2:09 PM ^

If you knew the two personally or spent any amount of time with them, I think you would figure out pretty quickly which one of the two has more intergity and credibility. I will give you a hint, it sure as hell isn't the taller one.

Qmatic

May 13th, 2015 at 10:47 AM ^

I might be in the minority, but I think it's time to stop giving focus/glorifying the fab five. They were a great group for a couple years who made a national impact. Nowadays, they are brought up and focused on too much; especially given how successful our program has become.

Webber was a great, great player, but honestly it seems he doesn't want to be defined by the fab five. I also think that Rose needs to let it go a little. It's in the past, so how about we focus more on the present?




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Blue and Joe

May 13th, 2015 at 10:47 AM ^

I sincerely doubt that ESPN was like "oh shit there is only a week left and we forgot to ask the most important person in this documentary to be a part of it."

umumum

May 13th, 2015 at 11:55 AM ^

you apparently consider it more likely that Chris would lie about something that probably can be fact-checked than that ESPN and/or the producer waited until a week before wrapping.  I don't know which is true, but I can't dismiss Chris's version based on what ESPN might or might not do.  It's ESPN after all.

TheReal_GR3

May 13th, 2015 at 12:16 PM ^

Chris was asked long before the project wrapped. He was asked before the project began. He was asked after it started and he was asked for a final time before the project wrapped. I believe the last time was the only time Jalen asked Chris so maybe that is why he says it was the only time he was asked. 

ESPN was more involved in this project than most. ESPN usually provides the large sum of video that each film uses. Jalen, being an ESPN employee, worked with ESPN more on this 30 for 30 than usually occurs.  

wesq

May 13th, 2015 at 2:02 PM ^

Matter of fact he lied for years and years to any and everyone, including a grand jury.  Only when faced with jail time did he cop to the truth. Why should anyone believe a word he says? He's lucky Martin died or he would've went to jail.  

ghostofhoke

May 13th, 2015 at 10:48 AM ^

Who cares if he regrets going blue? The guy spent two years at Michigan and hasn't been an advocate or even some shining example of a Michigan Man since. I have never felt some strong kinship with him as a fellow alum (if that's even the proper title for him). Does it really matter? He's just another guy. I don't have any animosity towards him and if he embraced the university I'd certainly welcome him but it's not like my heart breaks to hear that he doesn't have undying love or devotion towards it.




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His Dudeness

May 13th, 2015 at 11:02 AM ^

If you  say that you NEVER felt strong kinship with Webber as a fellow alumn, I would call you a liar.

I loved Webber as a Michigan player. I'm glad he went to Michigan. What he does now are obviously his choices, but again to say you basically never had any feelings toward Webber has to be a lie. The guy was a monster for us.

ghostofhoke

May 13th, 2015 at 2:01 PM ^

Fair enough, I should edit to say since he left school. I never gave a crap about his NBA career nor did I follow him at all. But I have never viewed Webber the same way in terms of my affiliation with Michigan and fandom as I do Rose or Howard, not even close--at least not post-school

JClay

May 13th, 2015 at 10:50 AM ^

I'm not going to defend all the thing Webber did/said, but I have said every time this topic comes up that Jalen comes off incredibly disingenuous and seems to love nothing more than the sound of his own voice. Possibly my least favorite great Michigan sports alum all time.

Zerodarkwolverine

May 13th, 2015 at 10:55 AM ^

Used to be my favorite player growing up. That changed when I found out what kind of pos he really is.

Lakeyale13

May 13th, 2015 at 10:57 AM ^

Maybe I read into Webber's comments something that isn't there, but it seems he acknowledges or focuses on al the ways he was hurt or felt unfairly punished. While portions of that may be true, the University of Michigan gave WAY MORE to him than he ever gave back. Let's face it, if Webber isn't a part of ThenFab Five no one remembers him and he has no legacy. He would be yet another college superstar to come into the league and not live up to the hype, even though a lot had to do with his health.

It is such a shame that such an important figure in the History of Michigan Athletics chooses to continue to alienate himself from a program he helped solidify as a National Brand. Michigan could have done something's different, but the facts are Webber broke the rules and paid a price.

CaliUMfan

May 13th, 2015 at 11:08 AM ^

This just isn't true. Webber might be the only member of the Fab Five who is actually remembered MORE for his pro career (dispite his incredibly short prime 99-03) than being a part of the Fab Five. Those Sacramento teams he was on were one of the most fun teams to watch in NBA history and possibly the best team to never make the finals. Living in L.A., I can tell you that Laker fans still talk about and get excited about the rivalry between the Webber Kings and the Shaq and Kobe Lakers. There is a lot of negative things you can say about Webber and how he has handled his relationship with Michigan but to say he wouldn't be remembered if he wasn't a part of the Fab Five is ridiculous.