I figured i'd ask, because i started reading articles and seeing Mitch Albom try to "jim gray" style heckle Webber. I mean whats the beef about? Are people actually missing that the only difference in the ed martin scandal and other colleges is that they got caught? Is there the same beef with Jamal Crawford who bolted before he could get found out? I just want to know if anybody here still holds a grudge and if they do, why?

reminder, i'm asking UofM fans.

I have no problem with Webber coming to Michigan. I've always loved Michigan and Webber. Obviously he put a huge blackmark on the university, but I imagine that if I was a poor 18 year old I would be tempted (doesn't make it right I know). I also am not stupid enough to believe that it ONLY happened at Michigan nor that it still goes in today's world. If Webber can help Detroit win another basketball championship that would be awesome, if he can't then no skin off my back............Go Detroit!!!

P.S. Why would you put up a photoshoped picture of Webber wearing a #2 jersey? Do you really think Chuck Daly would allow Chris Webber to wear his retired number?

WTFChris made it before finding out it was 84.[smilie=peepwall.gi:

I still believe Webber needs to apologize to Michigan fans,but I hold no ill will for him now..He was not the only one to do this..My hate,piss,and vinegar go to Steve Fisher..I blame him punk ass for alot of this..For him to even be coaching now is such a disgrace..

I guess I'm not allowed to have an opinion according to Gutz since he only wanted UM opinions. I guess I'll ask for only Spartan opinions from now on. Didn't know that was an option. haha, just given ya a hard time.

I'm not a UM fan so I don't know if I'd feel different. But, if I was to blame someone for the scandal, it would be Fisher and Martin. Not Webber. Webber was one of many, why put all the blame on him? It's the guys initiating the shady dealings that should be blamed in my opinion, maybe it would be different if I was a M fan.

I really dont harbor and ill will towards Webber, but I am also not a U of M bball fan really. I root for U of M football, but since I'm a Central grad I really don't care much about U of M bball. I hope they do well, just like I hope MSU football does well. But I'm not passionate about either of them, so I'm not sure my opinion is what you are looking for either.

By that logic, btw, why get mad a Martin or Fischer since they were/are both "one of many" as well (that logic leads you to getting mad at the NCAA because they are the only "one of few" in the chain).

I don't hate the player, I hate the game.

I don't hate the player, I hate the game.
thats where i'm at with it. I've seen the great and bad of many colleges including Michigan. This wasn't a wild abnormal occurrence in college sports outside of them getting caught. Again Jamal Crawford bolted before he could get probed further, but doesnt receive much hate. Not saying he should, just saying that what happened was bigger than Webber and scapegoating your emotions on him is kinda rough IMO. Its fairly lopsided when a school gives a city kid who couldnt afford school even on a partial scholarship a scholarship solely on his athletic skills, and demands that they turn down the most money they've seen at one time down "or else". Basically why high schoolers wanted to skip college. the availability of temptation is not policed as well as it should and is something the NCAA should've addressed 20 years ago atleast. JMHO and i do understand that there has to be some bitter feeling, i have some myself. Just not towards the players.

Here's my stance on Webber. He used to be my favorite player of all time at U-M, then I heard about all of the accusations of things that he did and was busted for. I then began "hating" the guy. I know there were others involved, but he's the face of the sanctions that Michigan received and crippled the program, which we still have not totally bounced back from. Over time, my hatred for Webber has started to diminish, especially now that he's a Piston.

It was great to hear him on the radio yesterday saying he's a Michigan Wolverine, a die hard Michigan fan, and that Michigan is the greatest university in the world. I just wish he would step up, admit he was wrong, and apoligize for what he did and how Michigan has struggled because of it.

Sanctions or not, u of m basketball suffered because of the coaches they hired and underachieving talent(i'm still not sold on amaker, maybe its his duke blood). They had a good shot with crawford and his crew imo, but he had to bolt before his face replaced webber's. But again i see theres still a need to blame him and not hold the higher ups accountable only because he's the only guy you can remember outside of ed martin. The coach had to of known something as did the atletic director at the time. If they didnt they sucked at their jobs ten fold. I've always blamed the higher ups at U of M and mostly the NCAA for the whole thing. Of course they'll be the first to not get any backlash, which is unfortunate.

I know this is a UM party and I'm not really welcomed in it, but I'm with Gutz on why Michigan is where they are now. Did some of the sanctions hurt? yes. But, that's not why they are bad now. It was only a few scholarships and a bad reputation.

I don't really like the "everyone does it" arguement either. Are there lots of shady situations, sure. But, not hundreds of thousands and multiple players situations. It's usually like pocket money, help with clothes and shoes, spending cash, etc. Not, "here is $250,000 to come to our school."

We're talking about fifteen years ago, when Webber and the Crew were choking in national championship games.
Man, let it go. He's a Piston, he won't probably help them much, and within a couple years he'll be gone forever.