Chris Webber on Playoffs and LaMelo

Chris Webber brings vintage hooper energy to the full interview, starting with WrestleMania takes and ending with a deep playoff preview, plus one of the most heartwarming stories of his podcast launch.

Webber admits he is more old school when it comes to wrestling. Rhodes because of him and his father, but mostly Macho Man and Elizabeth. He also has a soft spot for the Browns fan who cosplays as Macho Man at every game.

The podcast launch comes up quickly. The Chris Webber Show dropped with Grant Hill as episode one, and the centerpiece moment was Webber's brother David returning the full Duke uniform Grant had given him as a twelve year old after Duke beat UNLV in 1991. David had kept it for years, Webber's aunt had stored it in her basement, and Webber himself held onto it for the last twenty. Grant did not want to take it back. He is still texting Webber asking if they are sure.

Webber frames the whole exchange as a reminder of what small gestures do. Grant's act of kindness to twelve year old David inspired him to become a Hall of Fame player at Central Michigan. David is now a sports therapist who works with kids in trauma and professional teams. Webber quotes Nelson Mandela on sports speaking to youth in ways nothing else can.

Then it is playoff talk.

On LaMelo Ball's leg swipe of Bam Adebayo, Webber does not think it was malicious, but he understands why the NBA called it reckless. He adds a pointed comment, that could describe LaMelo's driving around town too. Rich agrees and wonders whether LaMelo should even be playing given his off-court issues.

Rich argues the eight seeds are going to have a tough road. Webber is not taking the Hawks lightly against the Knicks. He calls their coach one of the most underrated in the league and warns that New York has a short wick. If the Knicks drop game one, the noise between games one and two becomes doomsday. That is the kind of pressure that swings series.

In the West, Webber picks the matchup he likes most for an upset, Minnesota over Denver. He calls Jokic the best player in the NBA, full stop, but the Timberwolves present a bad matchup. Playoff basketball condenses the pace, which means fewer Jokic transition opportunities. Anthony Edwards's athleticism and Rudy Gobert's defensive value become the fulcrum. Webber casually drops the Stifle Tower nickname for Gobert and the room loses it. He credits Ernie Johnson, maybe.

Then comes the football detour. Webber is still mad about the Megatron catch against the Bears. His DB friends keep pointing him to the Saints pass interference non-call in the NFC title game. Rich confirms the Megatron rule was silly, but the call at the time was correct given the NFL's stupid ass rules. Webber shouts out Wayne Fontes, Eric Hipple, and Herman Moore before signing off.

Lions draft week energy. Bite kneecaps. Let's go, baby.