MIAMI — Chris Webber’s first night as a television analyst ended with the
former Michigan star getting teased about his infamous extra timeout that helped
seal the Wolverines’ fate in the 1993 NCAA championship game against North
Carolina.
He laughed it off.
It was, as Turner Sports colleague Ernie Johnson called it that night, an
initiation. And not only did Webber pass, he has flourished – evolving into one
of the game’s respected voices, a player-turned-broadcaster who tries to combine
the emotion of what’s happening on the floor with a professionalism that he
believes is required of those behind the microphone.
Webber will be one of the headliners when TNT unveils its new “Players Only”
platform on Monday night, a five-week run of doubleheaders where all the
commentators will be former pro men’s and women’s players.
“It’s a crazy opportunity as a player to be able to kind of take over the
studio,” said Webber, a finalist for induction in this year’s Basketball Hall of
Fame class. “Some of the guys and I have talked about what a crazy opportunity
this is, and we’re going to make the most of it.”
Among the other players involved: Chris Bosh, Isiah Thomas, Baron Davis, Grant
Hill, Kevin McHale and Lisa Leslie.
“I do think we can change the game with this opportunity,” Webber said.
In a time when television remarks have started feuds between current and former
players – like the longstanding back-and-forth between Charles Barkley and stars
like Dwyane Wade and LeBron James, and in the last few days the dustup involving
Shaquille O’Neal, JaVale McGee and Kevin Durant – Webber has prided himself on
being fair with criticisms.
There are times when people within the game tease one another, like the night
Johnson asked him how many timeouts are allowed in college games. Webber thinks
that’s fair – but he avoids the banter that turns personal.
“As long as I don’t speak about guys’ character, then it really doesn’t matter,”
Webber said. “There’s nothing that I can say about a player that hasn’t already
been said about me. There’s no sensitivity there. Players, when certain
commentators say something, he can say: `How can he say that? He’s never been in
that position.’ Well, the player can’t look at me and say that.”
Webber retired averaging 20.7 points and 9.8 rebounds, numbers that will likely
have him headed to the Hall of Fame – possibly this year. He’s among 14
finalists who will get word on their fate in April at the Final Four.
The induction in Springfield, Massachusetts, is in September.
“About time,” said Barkley, a Hall of Famer. “He should already be in there.”
Webber said hearing his name listed as a finalist was surreal.
“I’m just thankful that I was nominated,” Webber said. “I’m taking in the
moment, being very thankful and that I’m here. But as far as thinking about more
than that, nah, I don’t do that.”
Webber doesn’t play anymore – nearly losing to his 16-year-old nephew in a
1-on-1 game last summer was the last straw – and has enjoyed being around
basketball in other capacities since retiring. He represented the Sacramento
Kings at an NBA draft lottery, agreed to teach a class at Wake Forest in sports
storytelling and is involved in a production company.
He said he sees broadcasting as a privilege, after working alongside the likes
of Kevin Harlan, Dick Stockton and Marv Albert, which is why he’s taking
“Players Only” especially seriously.
“If you’re around someone and you’re willing to learn, you can get better,”
Webber said. “We’re going to take from their examples. You have to honor the
game with professionalism, but I also think we give a unique perspective. And I
think we have a validation that can’t be taught.”
