Rebecca Cook / Reuters

Chris Webber's play at center has made Detroit a better team and a more dangerous threat to win the NBA title, writes Steve Jones of MSNBC.com.

Proving the right match
After the Sixers waived Webber in January, buying out his contract for $38 million, the Lakers, Heat, and Mavericks were considered to be suitors for his services. But he chose the Pistons, and the Pistons chose him. Some thought this union to be of a combustible nature. After all Detroit had a proven chemistry among veteran players who were winners, and Webber had poured his share of locker-room poison in his previous NBA stops.

But it's been prosperity and not controversy that has resulted from this courtship and subsequent marriage. The Pistons' locker room is filled with character. Detroit has a group of core players who have won a championship. Webber wasn't around to help them do that and he realized his best play off the court was to blend in with his new teammates, not make any waves, and try and help them help him to his first NBA title.

As for the fans who bitterly blamed Webber for souring the Fab Five years at Michigan -- the school forfeiting wins and Final Four banners from that era after booster Ed Martin was accused of doling out more than $600,000 to Michigan players, almost $300,000 of that to Webber -- well, time and circumstances have a way of healing a lot of things.

Webber comes home and the Pistons become a better team, their title chances elevated. A lot of fans stop thinking about Webber's past and the way he hurt them. In place of those thoughts are thoughts of how Webber can help the Pistons win another championship. Fans have the unique ability to love and hate at the same time. In their eyes villains can turn into heroes, especially if a trophy gets won.

Future returns
What Webber wants most is to win a championship. He could get that opportunity this spring. If it turns out he doesn't, look for him to stick around and take another crack at it next season with the Pistons.

He'll be a free agent this summer, but he's home now and you can bet he wants to stay home. Webber won't want to test the open market in free agency. He'll play at a reduced salary from years past, but he expected that and to be on a winning team that's a championship contender that's not a big price to pay.

Joe Dumars, who heads up Detroit's basketball operations, will have the call on bringing Webber back. In the veteran center Dumars has found a solid contributor to work with the personnel he's got, a guy that will help the team pursue future championships.

Barring something unforeseen, Dumars will square a new deal with Webber. I don't see any way Webber's not in Detroit next season. For player and for team, it makes all the sense in the world to keep the marriage together.

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