AUBURN HILLS - Former Michigan basketball star Chris Webber said he has never run away from an issue before. But that didn't stop him from delaying his comments on the Ed Martin scandal yesterday.

"I came to play a game today. My focus is on winning a championship," Webber said before his Sacramento Kings beat the Detroit Pistons 107-86 last night. "So I'm not going to entertain all the negative things that I've been hearing and seeing in the paper."

According to a federal indictment, Martin, a former Michigan basketball booster, loaned $280,000 to Webber before the former Michigan star became a professional.

The loans were allegedly used as a means for Martin to launder money from his illegal gambling ring in Detroit-area auto plants.

"I'm trying to win a championship, not an election. This isn't a popularity contest," Webber said. "I'm not going to address this or try to make anybody like me. I'm not going to let this become a distraction."

Martin and his wife were arrested on March 21 on charges of money laundering, running an illegal gambling ring and conspiracy. They pleaded innocent and were released on bail.

Webber acknowledged the significance of the allegations, but nonetheless referred to the situation and the media attention as "funny."

"It doesn't hurt," Webber said of the scandal. "Because I talk to the real people in the streets, and they don't care about this stuff."

Despite his unwillingness to discuss the situation last night, Webber said he would tell his side of the story at another time.

"What we're going to do is, at a designated time when we aren't in the middle of a championship run or a long road trip, I will sit down and discuss most of these issues," Webber said.

His attorney, Fallasha Erwin, said an exclusive interview with the Sacramento Bee is in the works "so that Chris can answer all the questions that people have about this issue."

On ESPN Classic this past weekend, Webber said "I didn't take anything" from Martin. But last night, Webber admitted to being caught off guard by the question.

"Sometimes you allow yourself to be na