[645]

AUBURN HILLS -- Joe Dumars was all set to explain to Chris Webber how things work around here. This was during their first conversation, after Webber had been bought out of his contract in Philadelphia and after he had notified Dumars he wanted to play for the Pistons.

Dumars started to make his spiel when Webber interrupted.

"He said, 'Look, I understand your system,' " Dumars recalled after the Pistons announced Webber's signing Tuesday afternoon. "He said, 'You don't have a one-star system. I am at a point in my career where I want to be surrounded by (a winning) environment. I don't want to be a savior. I know I will be one of five on the floor.' Before I could explain it to him, he explained it to me."

Detroit News