Ex-Sixer Webber signs with hometown Pistons

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- The Detroit Pistons hope Chris Webber can do for them what Rasheed Wallace did in 2004, come on board midseason and spark a run to an NBA championship.

Webber does, too, because winning a title would fill the biggest void on his resume.

"I'm excited to be home in Detroit, but I'm more excited about being on this team," Webber said Tuesday after signing with his hometown team. "If this was not a good team, it would not be that much fun.

"This team was already great before I got here, so in no way am I acting like I'm doing this team a big service. I'm part of a great machine."

Webber will make about $650,000 with a prorated contract for the veteran's minimum to play the rest of the season. The Pistons have the second-best record in the Eastern Conference and are the first team since the early 1990s to advance to four straight conference championships. But they appear to need some help.

"I honestly feel like he can energize us and add an element the same way Rasheed did a few years ago," Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars said. "I'm hoping the results will be the same.

C-Webb will make about $650,000 the rest of the season. (AP)

Detroit coach Flip Saunders said Webber would play as a reserve Wednesday against Utah.

Webber, who grew up in Detroit and played at Michigan, became a free agent after Philadelphia bought out the final 1½ years of his contract last week.

The five-time All-Star agreed to give the 76ers $2 million this season and $2 million next season when he was due to make about $43 million over the two years. Sacramento gave him a $123 million, seven-year contract in the summer of 2001.

Webber strongly considered joining the Miami Heat or the Los Angeles Lakers, but he couldn't pass up the chance to play in Detroit. He will start at center for a contending team at home, where he can improve his image with disgruntled fans.

After announcing Monday he would join the Pistons, Webber watched them play Minnesota in a front-row seat at The Palace. He was greeted by a rousing, standing ovation.

It was a much warmer welcome than Webber had received previously because of his involvement with deceased Michigan booster Ed Martin that led to NCAA sanctions. He plead guilty to a federal criminal contempt charge.