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PistonsPage: No need for Webber to return...
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Over the past week and a half, there have been speculations about Chris Webber returning to the court to play for the Detroit Pistons for 2008. Lots of writers and sources have stated that Webber would return around next month. As much as it sounds like a good move to make, I'm here to tell you that it's not! First off, let me give you some of the few reasons why he would only be needed.
When was the last time you've heard of a major injury coming from the Pistons team? The most recent injury that would've affected the Pistons in the past few years was rookie, Rodney Stuckey's hand injury. That happened this year and it only kept him out for about a month. He's back now and is playing as if he wasn't injured at all. All the credit for the limited injuries on the Pistons team can go to Arnie Kander. He's helped Antonio McDyess get past his knee injury and now he's a starter on the second best team in the NBA. The reason why Webber was so effective in the Pistons lineup last season is because of Arnie Kander. Kander worked with Webber through out the 06-07 season, giving him the ability to keep up with young, fast team. In Philadelphia, where Webber struggled before he left, his age was catching up to him and he wasn't able to be the player he was in his younger days. But by coming to Detroit and helping the Pistons push themselves into the playoffs, Webber was able to rejuvenate his career for a year. This is why GM Joe Dumars wouldn't be afraid to take another chance at going after Webber for another year.
My question is, why the hell would we even need him? Here are the reasons why there wouldn't be a need for Webber to return in a Pistons uniform...
The obvious reason why the Pistons don't need Webber, (or C-Webb, whichever you prefer) is because of the Pistons success so far without him. Detroit has managed to go 20-7 without the need of Webber on the team. Detroit has found themselves ranked, number 1 in the latest power rankings and all this has come without the help of Webber. Sure, Webber could help out defensively, but that's it. When he was with Detroit last season, he averaged 11.2 ppg and 6.7 rpg. That is just about the same 10.9 ppg and the 8.1 rpg that Antonio McDyess average's this year in about 30 minutes a game. McDyess has stepped up in his starting role by being able to keep up with the team and shoot 54.3% from the field. Would Webber be needed to take McDyess' place when McDyess is doing his job right? That would be unnecessary.
Bringing Webber back would cause the other young, upcoming stars to see limited minutes on the floor, which would also be an unnecessary thing to do. Amir Johnson has already seen his time cut this year, and he is getting the same amount of minutes that Darko Milicic got when he was a Piston. There would be no reason to ruin Johnson's confidence by bringing in another big man to cut his minutes down. Jason Maxiell has been putting his minutes to good use this season and there definitely isn't an excuse to cut his minutes down. He has played at a high enough level to earn starter minutes; the only reason why he doesn't start is because of the play of McDyess.
Maxiell gives the team a solid 24 minutes a game and he is puts up 9.1 ppg and 6 rpg, shooting at 55%. What would be the purpose in cutting down his minutes? Maxiell is an energetic player who brings intimidation to the paint. He average's 1.5 blocks a game, and he does his part defensively. I'm positive that he will end up in the starting lineup in the next couple of years. The Pistons also have Primoz Brezec, whom they've acquired from the Charlotte Bobcats. He hasn't played much since being on the team but he has played. I understand that Webber would bring depth to the center/forward position, but the Pistons already have enough depth in the big man position. The Pistons have seven different players on their roster that can play those positions. Many people say that bringing him back would give Detroit depth when playoff time comes.
Webber was a nice addition during the regular season last year. He really seemed to fit in with the offense and added some scoring. But in the playoffs, he disappeared to the point that he didn’t even play for large stretches of key games. The only impact he had in the Cavs series was Game 5 when McDyess was ejected early on. With McDyess, Wallace, Maxiell and to a lesser extend Amir Johnson, the Pistons have their “bigs.” My fear would be that he’d impede any development of Johnson. So no, I leave Webber where he is. Maybe some other team will need him as the season goes along.
