ESPN 30 for 30 - The Fab Five Documentary Part 5/8

Chris Webber, Juwan Howard, Jalen Rose, Jimmy King and Ray Jackson went to the University of Michigan and became known as the "Fab Five" but their great story would end in scandal and infamy. Most will remember Webber called a time-out the team didn't have, which helped lose the National Championship to North Carolina. Years later it would turn out that Weber was paid for being at the school and this resulted the the NCAA coming down on the program and clearing away all mention of the group and their accomplishments. I remember watching many basketball games as a young kid but the infamous championship game with the time out is the first one where the entire thing sticks in my mind. Even watching the clips today you can't help but tell yourself that this time Webber isn't going to call a time out but of course it plays out the same way year and year but you can't help but still feel the drama and shock. It should be noted that Webber refused to be interviewed for this film so that leaves a major gap in what should have been the definitive look at the Fab Five. Howard, Rose, King, Jackson and coach Steve Fisher are all interviewed and share their thoughts on how they all ended up at Michigan and what those two loses in the championship game meant. The director does a very good job at showing the history of the program and showing the impact these five freshmen had on the game. We hear about them changing the style and look of basketball but we also get to see some letters that Michigan "fans" sent where they were quite obviously racist and didn't appreciate these guys bringing a rap-style to the school. There's no question that the highlight of the film is that now infamous game against North Carolina and it's a shame Webber refused to be interviewed. It's a shame further because of the black cloud that hangs over him and the school and it's something that still hasn't been cleared up and it might not ever be. One of the other interesting ideas is hatred shown at Duke. Someone hating Duke isn't that shocking since people love to hate them but I was a little shocked to hear some of the comments coming from the players including Rose calling black players that went to Duke "Uncle Tom's". THE FAB FIVE isn't definitive due to Webber not taking place but it's still a highly entertaining look at these five freshmen who certainly left a mark on their sport.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Chris Webber
• Juwan Howard
• Jalen Rose

[eltennis]

Bill Walton doesn't know shit. Thumbs up if you agree.

[Dre259]

@lemleyod shut up faggot

[JEFFCLEVANDR]

@lemleyod So it wasn't Michigan that brough them together... It could have been Arizona and the same story would have developed there for Michigan is the variable... The only thing that can't change or the players which make them the more important party between Michigan & The Fab Five. So Michigan weren't looking to recruit those exact five players... MANY schools were after them they just happened to choose Michigan to play!

[JEFFCLEVANDR]

@lemleyod Again Iwonder if you even understood what happened in the documentary. it was Juwan Howard who recruited the other players mainly (w/ the help of coaches) The coaches were going to give up & just go w/ Howard, King and Jackson but through the works of Howard (& staff they were also able to get Webber and Rose). & cause of the brotherhood that the developed King & Jackson stayed despite coming off the bench as one of the countries top prospects.

[lemleyod]

@JEFFCLEVANDR Were you watching the documentary? Michigan chose those five to recruit. No other school was trying to recruit those exact five players. Michigan did though. Without those scouts and that coach going after those guys the Fab Five is never made.

[JEFFCLEVANDR]

@lemleyod You talk as though these guys had no other options besides Michigan! They were the top prospects of their High School class. weren't you looking at the docu? They could've all gotten together at any other school & had the same fame just a different school name. Its Michigan that benefitted from them choosing their school. free education like they use that education they had no use for it cause they made their millions off their skill in basket-ball. So what was the benefit?

[lemleyod]

@JEFFCLEVANDR Who would they be without Michigan? Michigan brought them together. Are you saying Chris Webber had nothing to gain from accepting all the money? Seems like he had a lot to gain. He was also given the chance at a free education to fall back on if he was injured. So were the rest of the Fab Five. They chose their fate. Michigan gave them education, coaching, exposure, and experience. That seems more than fair compensation.

[lemleyod]

@JEFFCLEVANDR So the school doesn't work hard? The coaches and scouts don't spend time away from their families and in the office? They just twiddle their thumbs and watch the guys play? Is that it? The players are ALWAYS the innocent ones while the school is the criminal who "exploits" the student. How is free tuition, room & board, access to gyms, workout equipment, coaching and medical staff exploitation? Your argument is a joke.

[JEFFCLEVANDR]

@lemleyod Schools do this all the time. They turn a blind eye to the money exchanging hands in exchange for the players & wins & when they get caught they put the blame on the students & claim they knew nothing of what was going on. The players are always left as the scapegoat. Yes they may have know it was wrong but when you are being exploited for YOUR hardwork it only seems fair to want to be compensated for it.

[JEFFCLEVANDR]

@lemleyod HA! More like the school was making millions in merchandise & getting exposure & televised games plus advertisement for future recuits.. So lets go w/ your theory & say the school "didn't know & were surprised" Do you think they would have done anything about it? Anyway you look at it the school's the one who gains from keeping quiet. The kids still could've gone on to the NBA & get fame. Face it their relationship was one that benefited the school more than the "Fab Five"