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http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/12474346p-13330227c.html
A parting shot misses
Kings win after Webber can't convert a chance to tie the score
By Martin McNeal -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Sunday, February 27, 2005
PHILADELPHIA - As badly as new Philadelphia 76er Chris Webber wanted to beat the Kings on Saturday night, the need for a victory might have been even greater for Sacramento, loser of three straight road games and seven of its past nine overall. Figure in the desire of Philly native Cuttino Mobley, who was playing in front of 70 family members and friends, and motivation was not a problem for the Kings.
And in the end, neither were clutch plays nor execution as the Kings shook off their recent late-game failures and won 101-99 before a deflated sellout crowd of 21,068.
http://ads.sacbee.com/RealMedia/ads...l/64313865323634663432323230623630?_RM_EMPTY_ Webber was making his 76ers debut after being traded by the Kings on Wednesday night in a monumental six-player deal. Philadelphia fans responded by selling out Wachovia Center for the first time this season, and they were on their feet when the Sixers' Allen Iverson went to the free-throw line with his team trailing 101-98 with 3.4 seconds left.
Iverson made the first free throw and missed the second intentionally in hopes of the Sixers getting the rebound and putting it back in to tie the score.
Webber came up with a tough rebound as the free throw bounded hard off the backboard and rim, as Iverson told him it would. But Webber rushed a jump hook that came off the front of the rim. By the time the rebound was corraled, Webber had stumbled to the floor and taken Darius Songaila, his replacement at power forward, to the court with him. The two then hugged.
The Kings improved to 1-1 on this season-long six-game road trip, with the next stop today at Washington.
Mobley struggled with his shooting in the first half. But he salvaged his homecoming by making 5 of 8 shots in the second half and scoring eight of his 17 points in the fourth quarter.
Backcourt mate Mike Bibby also had shooting trouble in the first half, prompting coach Rick Adelman to say Bibby and Mobley were forcing their attempts.
But Bibby finished with a team-high 19 points despite making only 5 of 17 shots, including 3 of 7 from three-point range. He hit all six of his free throws to go with a team-leading eight assists.
Corliss Williamson, who rejoined Sacramento in the Webber trade, started in place of the injured Peja Stojakovic at small forward and scored 17 points on 7-for-11 shooting. He also came close to being the goat for the Kings.
After Brad Miller made 1 of 2 free throws to give Sacramento a 99-96 lead with 16.2 seconds left, Philadelphia swingman Andre Iguodala launched a three-pointer from the right corner. Referee Bill Spooner whistled Williamson for fouling the athletic Iguodala on the right forearm, awarding the rookie three free-throw attempts.
Iguodala missed the first and made the next two to bring the Sixers within 99-98 with 7.7 seconds left. Webber then fouled Mobley with 6.4 seconds left, and with his mother watching from courtside, Mobley made both free throws to give Sacramento a 101-98 lead.
"I'm a scorer, and I'm a fourth-quarter player," Mobley said. "I kept telling the guys every time we were at the foul line to keep the game close, and either me or Mike would win it for us."
Actually, the King who might have made the biggest difference was reserve Eddie House, who scored 11 points in 15 minutes, including nine points in six fourth-quarter minutes. He made 4 of 6 shots, including 3 of 4 three-pointers.
"I scored in double figures before against Seattle," House said, "but we lost. This time, we got the 'W,' so that's all that matters. This was much better. We needed that win, big-time."
Kenny Thomas wanted the victory badly, too. Thomas, who also came to the Kings in the Webber trade, scored 16 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in 30 minutes. He also helped Sacramento overcome three 11-point deficits in the first quarter.
Being relegated to an afterthought in the Webber deal motivated Thomas.
"Everybody has been talking about Chris Webber, Chris Webber," Thomas said. "When you looked in the paper or on ESPN, we were nowhere to be found but on the bottom in the little print. So I kind of took that to another level."
Kings 101, 76ers 99
Next: Today at Washington.
Time: 3 p.m.
TV: CSN
Reunion bash: The first meeting between the Kings and their former superstar
Moments to remember from Webber's debut with the 76ers
First behind-the-back pass: Showing early flash, Webber bounced one to Allen Iverson with 10:59 left in the first quarter. Iverson, however, missed a short jumper. First gesture to the crowd and plea to "come on!": After his 18-footer for a 9-2 lead with 9:04 to play in the first quarter, he exhorted his new hometown fans.
First referee glare: With 7:22 remaining in the first quarter, Webber thought he was fouled on an inside move and scowled at the referee. Vintage angry Webb.
First admitted bit of nerves: When he arrived the arena, Webber said he hadn't been this anxious since his rookie season with the Golden State Warriors.
Checklist for kings fans
Emotions felt while watching Chris Webber during Saturday night's game in Philadelphia: * Queasy feeling in the first quarter that the window for a Kings NBA title might really be closed.
* Relief that the gimpy power forward is finally someone else's defensive worry.
* Disconcerting feelings of bittersweet joy and satisfaction when his lastsecond shot fell short.
A parting shot misses
Kings win after Webber can't convert a chance to tie the score
By Martin McNeal -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Sunday, February 27, 2005
PHILADELPHIA - As badly as new Philadelphia 76er Chris Webber wanted to beat the Kings on Saturday night, the need for a victory might have been even greater for Sacramento, loser of three straight road games and seven of its past nine overall. Figure in the desire of Philly native Cuttino Mobley, who was playing in front of 70 family members and friends, and motivation was not a problem for the Kings.
And in the end, neither were clutch plays nor execution as the Kings shook off their recent late-game failures and won 101-99 before a deflated sellout crowd of 21,068.
http://ads.sacbee.com/RealMedia/ads...l/64313865323634663432323230623630?_RM_EMPTY_ Webber was making his 76ers debut after being traded by the Kings on Wednesday night in a monumental six-player deal. Philadelphia fans responded by selling out Wachovia Center for the first time this season, and they were on their feet when the Sixers' Allen Iverson went to the free-throw line with his team trailing 101-98 with 3.4 seconds left.
Iverson made the first free throw and missed the second intentionally in hopes of the Sixers getting the rebound and putting it back in to tie the score.
Webber came up with a tough rebound as the free throw bounded hard off the backboard and rim, as Iverson told him it would. But Webber rushed a jump hook that came off the front of the rim. By the time the rebound was corraled, Webber had stumbled to the floor and taken Darius Songaila, his replacement at power forward, to the court with him. The two then hugged.
The Kings improved to 1-1 on this season-long six-game road trip, with the next stop today at Washington.
Mobley struggled with his shooting in the first half. But he salvaged his homecoming by making 5 of 8 shots in the second half and scoring eight of his 17 points in the fourth quarter.
Backcourt mate Mike Bibby also had shooting trouble in the first half, prompting coach Rick Adelman to say Bibby and Mobley were forcing their attempts.
But Bibby finished with a team-high 19 points despite making only 5 of 17 shots, including 3 of 7 from three-point range. He hit all six of his free throws to go with a team-leading eight assists.
Corliss Williamson, who rejoined Sacramento in the Webber trade, started in place of the injured Peja Stojakovic at small forward and scored 17 points on 7-for-11 shooting. He also came close to being the goat for the Kings.
After Brad Miller made 1 of 2 free throws to give Sacramento a 99-96 lead with 16.2 seconds left, Philadelphia swingman Andre Iguodala launched a three-pointer from the right corner. Referee Bill Spooner whistled Williamson for fouling the athletic Iguodala on the right forearm, awarding the rookie three free-throw attempts.
Iguodala missed the first and made the next two to bring the Sixers within 99-98 with 7.7 seconds left. Webber then fouled Mobley with 6.4 seconds left, and with his mother watching from courtside, Mobley made both free throws to give Sacramento a 101-98 lead.
"I'm a scorer, and I'm a fourth-quarter player," Mobley said. "I kept telling the guys every time we were at the foul line to keep the game close, and either me or Mike would win it for us."
Actually, the King who might have made the biggest difference was reserve Eddie House, who scored 11 points in 15 minutes, including nine points in six fourth-quarter minutes. He made 4 of 6 shots, including 3 of 4 three-pointers.
"I scored in double figures before against Seattle," House said, "but we lost. This time, we got the 'W,' so that's all that matters. This was much better. We needed that win, big-time."
Kenny Thomas wanted the victory badly, too. Thomas, who also came to the Kings in the Webber trade, scored 16 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in 30 minutes. He also helped Sacramento overcome three 11-point deficits in the first quarter.
Being relegated to an afterthought in the Webber deal motivated Thomas.
"Everybody has been talking about Chris Webber, Chris Webber," Thomas said. "When you looked in the paper or on ESPN, we were nowhere to be found but on the bottom in the little print. So I kind of took that to another level."
Kings 101, 76ers 99
Next: Today at Washington.
Time: 3 p.m.
TV: CSN
Reunion bash: The first meeting between the Kings and their former superstar
Moments to remember from Webber's debut with the 76ers
First behind-the-back pass: Showing early flash, Webber bounced one to Allen Iverson with 10:59 left in the first quarter. Iverson, however, missed a short jumper. First gesture to the crowd and plea to "come on!": After his 18-footer for a 9-2 lead with 9:04 to play in the first quarter, he exhorted his new hometown fans.
First referee glare: With 7:22 remaining in the first quarter, Webber thought he was fouled on an inside move and scowled at the referee. Vintage angry Webb.
First admitted bit of nerves: When he arrived the arena, Webber said he hadn't been this anxious since his rookie season with the Golden State Warriors.
Checklist for kings fans
Emotions felt while watching Chris Webber during Saturday night's game in Philadelphia: * Queasy feeling in the first quarter that the window for a Kings NBA title might really be closed.
* Relief that the gimpy power forward is finally someone else's defensive worry.
* Disconcerting feelings of bittersweet joy and satisfaction when his lastsecond shot fell short.
