Webber and the Wings

Thoughts on the Chris Webber signing:

Purely from a basketball point of view, I don't see how this is a bad thing for the Pistons. The guy averaged 20 and 10 last year, he claims that this is as healthy as he's been in several years, and we got him for less money than we're playing Ronald Dupree. Even if he doesn't have anything left, it was worth the gamble. If he's telling the truth about being healthy, suddenly the Pistons add a HUGE force to the middle of their lineup. He's also one of the best passing big-men in history, which should get Chauncey, Rip, Tay, and Sheed some open looks.

From a fan's standpoint, I'm not sure how I feel about it. I realize that this was the best move that we could make in an effort to bring another title to Detroit. But Chris Webber? Man. Honestly, I wouldn't have a problem with the guy if he'd just say that he's sorry. Sack up, admit you made a mistake, and apologize to the school, your old teammates, and the fans that have suffered because of it. I can't honestly say that I wouldn't have taken the money if I was in his position. I'd like to think that I wouldn't, but at the same time I realize that it's easy to say "No way!" when you don't actually have $200,000 in front of you.

But he made a mistake, and it doesn't make me think much of him as a person that he's not man enough to admit it. And at least he tried while he was here unlike some people that took money ::cough::Mo Taylor::cough:: and essentially said he'd do it again.

To his credit, Webber does do a ton of charity work and is by all accounts a pretty darn good guy. Here's hoping that he is healthy, he is determined to rebuild his reputation in this city by doing things the right way on and off the court, he brings another title here, and then once the 10 year waiting period is up, he makes good at Michigan. While we're at it, I want a pony.

Onto the Wings, where Dominik Hasek got screwed out of a spot on the Western Conference All-Star team. I realize that Luongo got voted in and he probably wouldn't have made it otherwise, and I realize that Turco got in because they had to have a Stars player on the team. And I realize Kipper is an outstanding goalie in his own right, but for the NHL's leader in goals against average to not make the team is ridiculous. He's been awesome for us this year, and he should be on the team.

That said, I'm glad he didn't get in. The Wings have taken every precaution this season to make sure he doesn't get hurt, even going as far to keep The Joey MacDonald Experience on the roster so that Hasek rarely even has to dress as the backup goalie for games. Luongo was voted in as the starter, so that means that whenever they put Dom in, he'd be coming into the game cold, which is the last thing we want. Plus as fun as the "Slinky as a spine" thing could be during the skills competition, it's probably not great for his groin.

Michigan traveled to Alaska today in preparation for their weekend against the Nanooks. I don't know about all of you, but if I was a hockey player who left the rink at 7:00 in the morning and arrived in Alaska about 9:00 pm Eastern Time, I'm pretty sure that the last thing in the world that I would want to do is have practice even before going to the hotel. But that's the agenda. Ouch. I guess it's good to practice around the time you'll be playing though.

Alaska has lost 7 in a row, but to be fair 6 of those were on the road. Unfortunately, they're 6-2-2 at home this year. Our team on the big ice, general inconsistency, a long trip....even though they're really not that good of a team, I think a split is about all we can hope for in this one. Anything more than 2 points is a bonus. And that's depressing to say.