I just got done watching the fascinating documentary about the Fab 5 that aired on ESPN. It was brought to you by the producers of ESPN's award winning documentary series, 30 for 30.
My impressions of the show are that I was intrigued by the honesty of Jalen Rose and Jimmy King. Rose saying how much he hated Duke because they didn't recruit kids like him and that he thought that when they did recruit black kids they only recruited "Uncle Toms". Rose was resentful of Grant Hill because he came from a stable black family. Rose's father, former NBA star Jimmy Walker, never had a relationship with Rose throughout Walker's life. Rose said he wanted Walker to know who he was, and I think he did do that.
Jimmy King's description of the reaction of Chris Webber after he called "The Timeout" in the National Championship against North Carolina was amazing. He said Webber bent over and as the weight of what he did hit him, his whole body went limp. King describes, in vivid detail, how he had his hand on Webber's chest and he could feel his body go limp. King said that he has never discussed "The Timeout" with Webber and neither has any of the other players. King also said that he felt he was the most talented player to never make it in the NBA. He felt he sacrificed a lot at Michigan, but would never do it again.
I was, as I'm sure many were, disappointed that Chris Webber declined to participate in this documentary. After hearing again what his relationship to booster Ed Martin was, I can understand why he didn't. Apparently he remains defiant on that issue and may never apologize for it. University of Michigan Athletic Director Dave Brandon said that an apology from Webber would go a long way in getting over this. Dugan Fife echoed those sentiments as well.
This was a great documentary and I hope everyone that lived through the Fab 5 era sees it. It brings back a lot of memories of seeing one of the most dynamic and controversial teams in NCAA history.
I randomly found your blog and really appreciate what you had to say. I grew up in MI--so you learn to figure out quickly--Are you a State fan or a Wolverine fan?
ReplyDeleteAnd I chose--all things MI. I love/d everything about U of M, where it is & what amazing athletes have come in/out o' there!
So... you can gather that I had an instant love attraction to the Fab 5--when they were in existence!
No doubt about it. The way they were... how they played... how they looked... how they behaved... it was something that made me make sure I got to a tv on-time to not miss any moment o' their playing! That's why, the "infamous time out" still replays in my head, and was such a heart breaker... when you sit to think about it.
I missed seeing the documentary when it originally aired... but, hopefully, will catch it one day down the road.
Thanks again.