Webber: This Michigan Team is Special

Webber: This Michigan Team is Special

Chris Webber, a legend from Michigan’s iconic Fab Five, recently joined The Rich Eisen Show and couldn’t hold back his excitement about the current Michigan Wolverines basketball team. He compared them to his own legendary squad, highlighting how special this season is for the program.

Fab Five Reunion and New Bragging Rights

Webber spoke about the joy of reuniting with his Fab Five teammates for an alternate broadcast during a recent Michigan game. He described it as feeling like they were “young guys again,” reminiscing about their college days. The camaraderie was evident, with each member bringing their unique personality to the broadcast. “It was great,” Webber said about the experience. “I think you saw everything from Ray being the youngest… to Joan breaking out X’s and O’s and everyone else kind of doing their thing.”

This current Michigan team has given Webber and his former teammates even more to celebrate. “We just got something else, you know, to brag about besides, you know, beating Ohio State in football when they won their championship,” Webber joked, highlighting the team’s success. He also mentioned looking forward to golfing with Juwan Howard and talking trash to friends like Jalen Rose and Jimmy Jackson.

Appreciating the Journey

When asked if these moments brought the Fab Five closer, Webber explained that their bond is already incredibly strong. He believes that at their current age, they can appreciate these moments even more than they did in their youth. “Every moment you have together brings you closer,” he stated. “But, you know, it’s it’s uh I think that if anything, Rich, we’re at a mature place where we could appreciate it more than ever.” He reflected on their past, even mentioning getting tattoos in a garage with an ink pen, and how they “shouldn’t be here” but are, making these moments even more precious.

A New Generation Follows in Their Footsteps

The impact of the Fab Five continues to resonate, with a young recruit, Brandon McCoy from Sierra Canyon, announcing his commitment to Michigan during the broadcast. Webber saw this as a testament to their enduring legacy. “You guys are definitely viewed by a younger generation… as more attuned to this day and age,” he told Eisen. He believes this shows the strength of the Michigan program, explaining, “When you’re great in a program, you know, the school is who it is because of you.”

Webber emphasized that programs like Michigan thrive when past legends are honored. He spoke about how erasing history harms the culture of basketball, something he felt happened at Michigan. “It breaks up with the culture of basketball, which is what happened at the University of Michigan,” he explained. He’s proud that the current team, under Coach Dusty May, is embracing this history and building upon it.

Yaxel’s NBA Potential and Dusty May’s Future

The conversation also turned to the NBA draft and the potential of players like Yaxel. Webber praised Yaxel’s game, calling him a “big time player” with “a lot of heart.” He believes Yaxel has the talent to translate to the next level, noting his consistency and ability to take over games. “I think he has a lot of heart and uh I think it’ll translate on the next level,” Webber said.

Webber also lauded Coach Dusty May, suggesting he has the potential to become the “Bo Schembechler of basketball” at Michigan. May’s impressive record of 64-13 in two years, including a championship, speaks volumes. “He really has this, he’s got a shot here,” Webber stated, comparing May’s coaching style to a “throwback to the Bobby Knight era” but with modern adaptability. He highlighted May’s ability to build a strong culture and withstand challenges, which is crucial for long-term success.

Is This the Best Michigan Team Ever?

Eisen posed the question of whether this current Michigan team is the best in program history. Webber believes the conversation can only be had between the 1989 championship team and this current squad. “They are Michigan. I think you can only have that conversation with two teams. The 89 team and them,” he said. He acknowledged that the ’89 team paved the way, but this current team, with its unique chemistry and talent, has also set a new standard.

“And they wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for 89. 89 is the first team ever to do it,” Webber explained. “And 89 is not better than this team because this team had a bunch of guys that just got together uh did it and uh played so well.” He added that comparing teams is difficult, but this year’s Wolverines are undeniably among the best to ever wear the Maize and Blue.

“To me, uh, it’s really cool to to watch them, to watch their parents, their families, and know how hard they work to really appreciate the journey,” Webber concluded. “This makes me go back into my journey and say, ‘Wow.’ You know, it makes us appreciate again what we’ve come through because they reminded us.” The success of the current team, Webber feels, not only honors the past but also inspires future generations of Michigan athletes.

Source: Chris Webber compares this season's Michigan and the Fab Five ⚖️ | The Rich Eisen Show (YouTube)