Chris Webber rips Fab Five documentary on Dan Patrick Show
While calling the Eastern Conference semifinals Game 5 between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls on Tuesday night, TNT color commentator Chris Webber told play-by-play man Marv Albert, "I wish I had Tyronn Lue on my team 20 years ago," when discussing Cleveland head coach David Blatt's phantom timeout in the waning seconds of Game 4.
Webber continued discussing the controversial Fab Five era on the Dan Patrick Show on Wednesday. Webber told Patrick he was offended when he was asked to participate in ESPN's highly-popular 30 for 30 Fab Five documentary with only a week left of filming. Webber was noticeably absent from the film, leading to widespread speculation the he was afraid to speak on his infamous timeout call in the final seconds of the 1993 NCAA Championship game.
"I know that the 'Fab Five' documentary makes it seem like, 'Oh my God, I'm so scared to talk about it," Webber said. "I've always tried to embrace it."
• MANNIX: What's a flagrant foul in today's NBA?
Webber went on to tell Patrick he thought the 2011 documentary was produced through ulterior motives rather than simply telling the Fab Five story, suggesting a shot at the film's executive producer, and fellow Fab Five member Jalen Rose.
"I love the guys, but I just think there was so much missed there," Webber said. "I think it was okay, except ... I think it was ... it looked like ... it looked like, you know, what happens, a lot of people, after they retire or when they're looking for a job or when they want to be relevant, they go back in time and kind of make sure their importance is really known.
"My thing is it's always been about us five. So when one guy has a million highlights of himself, as if he was the leading scorer and all the stories are like embellished, it's just a little hard for me," Webber continued. "But I think it was entertaining, there was a lot of truth in it. I think it was definitely good, it was okay... I made an agreement when I joined the Fab Five not to be above the group. I have stayed consistently as a member, no one's above the other. It's just disheartening when you pay attention to those rules for 20-plus years, and somebody wants to be Hollywood and make it about them."
• ROSENBERG: It's all about LeBron for the Cavs
Patrick also asked Webber about his recruiting process, ultimately spurning Tom Izzo and Michigan State to join Steve Fisher and the Wolverines. Webber, who revealed he's in the middle of writing a book, spoke endearingly of Izzo. Patrick then asked if, given a mulligan, would Webber choose Michigan State over Michigan?
"Don't do that ... don't do that ... don't do that," Webber said. "The truth is this. I don't want to answer that, honestly, in the mood that I'm in."
Webber retired from the NBA in March 2008 following a decorated 15-year career and has served as an NBA Analyst and color commentator for Turner Sports since the 2010-11 season.
-Jake Fischer
