While Chris Webber played his entire high school and collegiate career in the state of Michigan, he only spent one season with the local NBA team, the Detroit Pistons. However, one Piston player had a great effect on him.
At his enshrinement ceremony for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, Webber credited Pistons legend Isiah Thomas with reaching out to him, when Webber was growing up in Detroit and starting to get recognized for his basketball ability.
"“He was my guardian angel,” said Webber of Thomas. “He called my parents and asked if he could come over and speak to us. … Everyone came out, because I told everyone, and he was smiling and gracious. After speaking to my parents, he took me aside. He said he understood what I was going through.“(He) told me ‘don’t worry’. (Webber stops and gets emotional at this point). He explained, if I need anything, he would be there. … He explained about the long run, and how you have to stay focused. Don’t believe the press. He said keep doing my thing, because we are more than hoopers. You gave me confidence … You kept me from the vultures.”"
Like most basketball players growing at that time in Detroit, Webber idolized Isiah Thomas. Advice from the legendary figure, meant everything to him and he received very good advice.
“I never had to take a penny from anyone,” Webber said later in his speech, looking at Thomas.
The two Hall of Famers actually played against each other twice during the 1993-94 season. It was Thomas’ final year in the NBA, while Webber was a rookie with the Golden State Warriors. The Pistons were not very good that year. and the Warriors won both games.
But it must have been an amazing experience for Webber, the Detroit Country Day School graduate, playing against his idol. Thomas certainly made an impression on him.
Here is the entire part of the speech mentioning Thomas (who is seated to the left of Webber):
"He was my guardian angel."@realchriswebber got emotional thanking @IsiahThomas in his @Hoophall enshrinement speech. #NBAHOF pic.twitter.com/V3uBHYyKdQ
— NBA TV (@NBATV) September 11, 2021
Oh, and that one season Webber played for the Pistons, was pretty good. He was 33-years-old by the 2006-7 season but averaged 11.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists as he helped Detroit make the Eastern Conference finals, where they fell to LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers .
Webber only played nine games in his career after that.