When told Monday about rumors that McDyess might be on the trading block, a Bulls starter who shall remain anonymous said that was "crazy." His teammate seated a few feet away echoed the sentiment. Although both said Webber was still a good player, they couldn't believe the Pistons would consider giving up McDyess to make room for him.

Meanwhile, at the other side of the United Center, the Spurs basically had little reaction to the news of Webber's signing.

While Webber originally had put San Antonio on his list of five teams he would consider playing for, the Spurs never appeared to be a serious candidate. For one, coach Gregg Popovich was an assistant to Don Nelson at Golden State when Webber had his celebrated feud with his coach there. For another, the Spurs couldn't really offer him any more money or playing time than he could get in Detroit.

At any rate, San Antonio's coaches and players seemed more worried about a looming ice storm in Texas than they did any looming potential threat from Webber joining the Pistons.

"I don't know what to say," Popovich shrugged when informed of the news. "Yeah, he's a very talented player. ... I think he's a fantastic passer and there are some guys on that team hard to guard who move well without ball. [Rip] Hamilton and Prince are really tough coming off picks, and with Webber out there passing the basketball he's going to find those guys. He can help them offensively a great deal."

"I have no reaction," Michael Finley said. "I haven't really seen Detroit so I can't say."

Robert Horry also said he hadn't seen Detroit enough to say how Webber might help, but he didn't sound as if he was ready to pencil in the Pistons as Eastern Conference champs.

"The thing with Detroit is they're the type of team that if they do have him they could be better but they're going to be good regardless, because they have a great nucleus," he said. "He's a great player. He can adapt to any situation. I think the only team he couldn't play for is Phoenix because they run too much for him. He's not an up-and-down player like he used to be."

Horry is being too kind. Webber has lost more than his ability to get up and down the floor. He has lost his explosiveness and his defensive mobility.

He might be able to help the Pistons, but he just as likely will have the same effect he had on the Sixers. It's worth remembering that at the time of Webber's trade to Philadelphia, many pundits were hailing the move as a great one for the Sixers. Iverson was finally going to have the second scorer he needed, they said.

We all know how it turned out. The big difference, of course, is that Dumars isn't investing too much in this deal. For the veteran's minimum ($1.2 million, pro-rated), Webber is at least a low-cost risk. But if the Pistons wind up losing McDyess or their chemistry in the process of trying to make C-Webb fit, they will be sorry.