Webber Takes Shot at Rose Over Fab Five Doc

I wish people would stop focusing so heavily on the Fab 5. Had there never been the fiasco, the best case scenario would have been an elevation of the program, not of 5 individuals. Possibly a sustained legacy of tournament appearances; or it may have been very short-lived. But the Fab 5 would have been remembered as nothing more and nothing short of a great team of young stars who made it to the Final Four and came real close. Period. 

Unfortunately, it's just not a legacy that should be prominently elevated under the circumstances. Just my opinion, but it's too muddy. You can't crystalize it. It's marred by contraversy. It's marketable only to a select group; a documentary legend, but not a triumph. It creates polarity, which isn't good for Michigan. Ergo, it should not be a focus.

To some, it will simply prompt the same response as when someone offers a conversation about the Bonds/McGuire/Sosa HR record march; or whether Pete Rose should be in the Hall of Fame; or whether Joe Paterno's statue should be returned to a place of prominence; or whether USC's 2003 football program deserves more recognition. 

Do these conversations invoke a sense of nostalgia? Sure. But in much the same way a married man or woman recalls a girl or guy (s)he once dated, had some fun with, and then moved on from. Right? You're either with someone for a season, for a reason, or for life. The Fab 5 was that truly hot mate you dated for a season.

"Yea, we dated for a few years in the 90s. It was cool; we started a few trends, did some great things together, some things we regretted later. I'm better for it, and I hope they can say the same. If you see them, tell them I say hi. And Go Blue".

Sounds like someone needs a ... time-out.

I'm so sick of these guys. 

an apology from Webber.  Until that happens, not really interested in this guy's beefs about anything having to do with Michigan or his teammates. He has never felt inclined to own up to his indiscretions. No matter how much he and thousands of other top athletes were exploited by the NCAA and regardless of his need for Ed Martin's cash, I would think he'd have gottenr some perspective and wisdom over time and cleared the air.

Sorry, Chris. No sympathy here.

oops

I don't think I have ever given more up/down votes on a thread that wasn't a pos/neg bang

People disagree all the time.  I think they are still pretty civil about it, even though they clearly aren't budging regarding their points of view.  There are some extremely polarizing events that affected both of them over the years (cough, cough...Ed Martin).  And I could see Weber not wanted to touch that issue in the documentary based on how Jalen was going to film his point of view on it.

Most of it, anyways. It was very interesting to me to the point that I stayed in the car listening to another five minutes after I arrived at work this morning. What Geaux_Blue left out of his recap was a section of the interview where Patrick is asking Webber about the documentary and he says, "Clown..." He pauses, and then starts a new thought. Normally Patrick follows up on that kind of stuff, but it was more of a softball type interview. Dan just had to ask the questions and let Chris take it from there. I can't remember the exact context and phrasing, but it was clear he was referring to Jalen as a clown, and that image of Jalen with his Wolverine hat (that plastic wolverine thing he wears) and baseball bat popped into my mind. It's clear they don't get along, but I don't have to tell you all that.

Anyone that wants to be wowed should go look at some youtube highlights of the guy. Bright person, wonderful interview. But he is digging himself a hole by not just letting some of this stuff go.

And intimating that you might rather have gone to State? Already too many haters out there. . . won't go over well.

what else is new?

The National Championship game in a Michigan hat?

I can't deny his business strategy, be vague or say nothing at all, and then make people buy the book.

After reading that, like Webber, I too wish he'd gone to State.  

I can't forget watching him lie to a room full of people while we were both students at Michigan. He noted that kids were paying good money to buy replicas of his jersey while he couldn't afford to eat at McDonalds. We later learned that wasn't true. Ed Martin was giving him $500 (or more) handshakes.

Webber embarrassed himself and the University. He's refused to acknowledge it and refused to apologize. Now he hints that he might have prefered to have attended MSU? I don't know what to say other than, "I wish you had, Chris."