Chris Webber's tenure ended badly in Philadelphia, and
many 76ers fans aren't too happy with him now that he's moved on to the Pistons, where he's helped spur a 22-7 record (including a
21-point win over the Sixers last night) since moving into the starting lineup. But, according to C-Webb, perhaps it's not his fault. From the
Philadelphia Daily News:
How, Chris Webber was asked, was he able to go from having a foot injury, being listed as inactive and being generally unhappy with the 76ers to all but reinventing himself with the Detroit Pistons?
People, he was told, would like to know.
"They should ask the coach, the coach that was in charge of me, that didn't allow me to play," Webber said before facing the 76ers last night.
In the next sentence, Webber directly identified Sixers coach Maurice Cheeks, saying, "Like I told you before, Mo came to me and said 'We're going to cut half your minutes, half your time.' I said, 'I just came off a 20 [points] and 10 [rebounds] season.' I don't have an answer for that."
Of course, Webber was also nursing a legitimate injury when he came over, a sore left foot that limited his mobility. But the Pistons also have a secret weapon in long-time trainer Arnie Kander, whom Flip Saunders credited for quickly getting Webber back to full strength:
"We've got the 'Magic Man,' Arnie Kander," Saunders said, referring to strength and conditioning coach Arnie Kander. "Arnie's done an amazing thing with a lot of players. We thought Arnie would actually be able to help him a lot, and he has. After 3 days, [Webber's] soreness in his feet was gone."
Kander has achieved
a cult-like following among Pistons players and fans for his miracle worker ways. How does he do it? For one, he takes a different approach to his job that most of his contemporaries around the league. From an article last May in the
New York Times:
Kander blends his own nutritional drinks, all individually tailored, for each of the Pistons every day. He eschews anti-inflammatories, which other teams dispense by the dozen, in favor of herbal mixtures that naturally drain swelling. And he creates personalized workout regimens designed to correct and maintain the mechanics of each player's body.
Kander is so popular among his players that
Grant Hill actually tried to hire him to be his personal trainer when he left Detroit for Orlando. Considering how Hill ended up spending almost as much time on the operating table as the hardwood, it wouldn't have been a bad investment for the player. But fortunately for the Pistons and C-Webb, he stayed.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-21-2007 @ 2:29PM
Jaj8588 said...
Hey Webber,
You're a tool. I'm glad you and your gimpy knees are outta Philly.
Good riddance to a rotten attitude.
Reply
3-21-2007 @ 4:48PM
Boney said...
Jaj8588
It's not CWebb's fault that Philly made the mistake of acquiring him. You should thank Billy King for bringing in AND letting CWebb go.
It's kind of hard to have a perfect attitude when you have to play with Allen Iverson and a bunch of nobodies
Reply
3-21-2007 @ 3:35PM
fsillsjr said...
What is the big deal tha man wantd out. Boy did he get out, with most of his contract agreed to in the buy out, and getting a chance to go home and play for an opportunity to win not only an Eastern Conference Championship, but if D-Wade is not health the World Championship. He is on top of the world again. Winning inhis home state, we all remember the Fav 5, and I am not talking about T-Mobil attempt to increase there customers.
Good job Chris I cam not blame you, espacially with no AI. (Allen Iverson, not that other guy in Philly)
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3-21-2007 @ 8:18PM
Depressed Fan said...
There was no medical miracle here, the guy didn't want to play in Philly, so he faked an injury. Much like Steve Francis didn't want to sit on the bench, so he faked an injury.
Makes me sick to my stomach that these guys beg out of playing a game for money.
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3-21-2007 @ 5:42PM
Jaj8588 said...
Webb got lots of booes his first game back in his home town. Many folks remember his ruining Michigan with the booster scandal. So much for being a hometown hero.
Yes, Depressed fan...I do believe Webber exaggerated his injury, just like Glenn Robinson did a few years ago when he was with the Sixers. And wasn't that another Billy King disaster?
Boney, you're right. King was the fool who brought damaged goods into town and then paid him a boatload of cash to leave. Larry Brown, put a leash on Billy Boy before he agrees to another deal!
Reply
3-22-2007 @ 2:28AM
Sean said...
Hey, it's the evil twin of Calvin Booth! http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3358
Reply
3-26-2007 @ 4:57PM
Bill Burnett said...
You stupid fools. Philly sucks. Webb was too smart to want to play for Philly. Heck, I would have had a hard time getting up for games that don't mean anything. Philly fans are losers. All of you
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