Chris Webber Announces Retirement: Hall of Fame?
Former Michigan star Chris Webber has announced his retirement from the NBA, after fifteen seasons.
Webber led Michigan’s fabled “Fab-Five” teams that made back to back NCAA Tournament finals in 1992 and 1993. Leaving after his sophomore season, he was the #1 overall pick in the 1993 NBA Draft and the 1993-94 Rookie of the Year.
Webber’s controversial legacy is difficult to define.
Based on statistics, Webber is a no-brainer for the Basketball Hall of Fame. He is one of only six players with a career average of twenty points, nine rebounds, and four assists per game. Four (Larry Bird, Wilt Chamberlain, Billy Cunningham and Elgin Baylor) are in the Hall of Fame. The fifth, Kevin Garnett, undoubtedly has a plaque waiting.
He dwarfs the career numbers of elite power forward Kevin McHale. Webber averaged 20 points eleven times, McHale five. Webber averaged ten rebounds six times, McHale never did. Webber averaged four or more assists in ten seasons, McHale never averaged above three.
Stastically, Joe Dumars is correct. Webber was “one of the best power forwards ever to play in the NBA,” Dumars told ESPN.
However, there are numerous marks that mar his stellar legacy.
Webber’s acceptance of money from boosters forced Michigan to renounce his accomplishments there and saddled sanctions upon the program, from which it has still not recovered.
Prone to personality conflicts early in his career, he quickly wore his welcome in both Washington and Golden State. He was also charged with Marijuana possession in two separate 1998 incidents.
Maturing greatly later, he was a pivotal presence for contending Sacramento Kings teams, before his tenure as an elite player ended with a knee injury in the 2003 playoffs. He later re-emerged as a crucial role player for the 2007 Pistons team that made the Conference Finals.
Webber was a great player, but his greatest indictment was not making enough of his inherent talent.
With his size (6′10″), his intangible athleticism and his deft touch, Webber had more gifted ability than almost anyone. He should have been great. Had he worked harder, he could have been transcendent. And that will always leave a sour taste.
Well he along with Maurice Taylor and Robert”Tractor” Taylor got Michigan in serious serious trouble and perhaps that’s the real reason both Brian Ellerbe and Tommy Amaker had such a hard time at Michigan. Ten consecutive missed NCAAs for Big Blue while Michigan State has MADE eleven straight big dances, and has gone to four final fours since Michigan even last made the tournament. I think this sadly is a big part of Webber’s “legacy” and is a disqualification for the hall if I were voting.
Well it was Taylor’s fault for getting in that car accident, leading everyone to wonder why he had such a nice SUV.
He was technically ineligible during high school at Detroit Country Day and the MHSAA ordered them to remove their state championship banners for those seasons and Country Day essentially told them to fuck off with no reprecussions.
True, Ty. The accident is what gave Michigan away.