The Webber Thing Has Been Done Before, And Mostly Without Success

Derrick Coleman tried it with the Pistons, but he was too old, too decrepit, too out of shape to make it work. The Tigers took a flyer on Alex Johnson, but he was too old, too decrepit, and too crazy to make it work. The Red Wings and Jimmy Carson tried to make a go of it, but the pressure was too much and Carson flamed out, falling far below expectations. Wearing Alex Delvecchio's #10 didn't help. The Lions brought DB Todd Lyght home, but he was another of those too old, too decrepit guys.

Now the Pistons appear to be on the verge of wedding Chris Webber in another of those "let's bring the hometown kid home" things.

The above dudes, all (at least metro) Detroit-born and bred, eventually meandered their way back to Motown, presumably seduced by the idea of slipping on the pro jersey of the team they grew up watching. With the exception of Carson, though, they were all long in the tooth, and didn't have much left in the tank.

Webber, at age 33, is in danger of being one of those players low on fuel. Yet he says he feels great after some surgeries on his legs, and why wouldn't he say that, when he's trying to attract suitors?

The Detroit Country Day product is an unrestricted free agent, and rumors are hot that he will land in Auburn Hills, becoming a Piston some 13 years after entering the league from the University of Michigan.

It may be harsh to say, but you can make a case that Webber is, at this stage, nothing more than a talented journeyman. But a journeyman nonetheless. Golden State, Washington, Sacramento, and Philadelphia have employed him. Now one more team will be added to the Employment History portion of his resume.

As soon as I heard the news that the 76'ers had bought out Webber's contract, I said without hesitation, "I bet he becomes a Piston."

This is the type of move that Pistons President Joe Dumars revels in -- the signing of a popular player who won't cost the team an arm and a leg. The risk of disturbing team chemistry, those ancient and overused words. But a possible upside that is too intriguing to pass up, especially at what will almost sure to be bargain basement pricing, in NBA terms.

Webber says his wish list includes Detroit, Miami, Dallas, and the Lakers. The usual suspects. Wouldn't that be the wish list of 80% of the players who don't play for those teams? But the deep throats in the league say he is leaning toward Detroit. His hometown. Another player past his prime who would like to experience the aura of playing for the team he watched on TV as a child.

Oh, I should mention that this scenario actually played out for the good, back in the day. The Tigers acquired pitcher Frank Tanana in 1985, bringing the Catholic Central grad home. And Tanana, despite being over 30 years of age, helped the Tigers win the AL East in 1987.

But there have been far more busts than jackpots, when the hometown kid returns as the vagabond pro.