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http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/12640335p-13494034c.html
Well-wishers cuddle C-Webb
The former King is greeted warmly from Oak Park to Arco.
By Martin McNeal -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Tuesday, March 29, 2005
Chris Webber was fatigued far more mentally than physically as he stood on the Arco Arena court Monday night - and that was approximately an hour after his Philadelphia 76ers lost to the Kings 118-109.
Webber was being spun around one way and then the other by well-wishers hoping to get a hug and give a hug. Seniors, children, former teammates, family members of Philadelphia coaches - you name them and they were among the nearly 200 people who waited for Webber to dress, address the media and then make his way through a crowd.
They didn't care that he had shot just 8 of 26 from the field (after starting 4 of 5) on the way to a 20-point, 10-rebound, three-assist, three-turnover night.
And although he was disappointed the 76ers lost in his first game in Sacramento as a former Kings All-Star, there was a feeling a relief that he had survived the experience. He had survived feeling "stupid" while standing out on the court during the introductions and receiving a loud, rousing, standing ovation from the 17,317 in the arena.
"It was almost like just coming in and trying to separate this day as a different part of my career here," he told the packed interview room that for the first time during a regular-season game hosted an opposing player for a postgame session. "I didn't want this to be me versus them. I enjoyed my time here. I wanted to win, but there will be some guys in that (Kings') locker room who I'll be friends with when we probably can't even walk from all this playing.
"No one can make this day a negative. I'm (ticked) that we lost. But this is a good day because it means closure. I hope everybody will remember our (Kings) team for what it was. It was a good team, and we would have done great this year."
Webber said this was different from being traded by Golden State to Washington and from Washington to Sacramento.
"The obvious is this is the first time I was traded in the middle of the season," he said. "The first time being traded from a championship contender. The first time I tried to pack six years' worth of stuff in one day."
Replacing some of the boos and groans that he sometimes heard during his nearly seven seasons here were signs - all kinds, shapes and sizes - attempting to communicate from long distance that Webber is gone, but not forgotten, and still appreciated.
Webber's day didn't just begin once he walked into the visitors' locker room before the game. He went to a bank in Oak Park during the afternoon and shortly after conducting his business, there was visible evidence that word of his presence had spread in the neighborhood.
People began coming out onto the street with cameras, notepads for autographs and greetings. Webber bought some Negro League hats from a woman selling them out of the trunk of her car. He took a couple of pictures and had a brief conversation with Oak Park businessman and former NBA star Kevin Johnson, who came out of his office. Then it was time to return to the hotel to rest for the exhaustion that followed. And as much as the 40 minutes he struggled through on the court, it was the experience of closure that allowed him to rest knowing another chapter in his life had ended.
Well-wishers cuddle C-Webb
The former King is greeted warmly from Oak Park to Arco.
By Martin McNeal -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Tuesday, March 29, 2005
Chris Webber was fatigued far more mentally than physically as he stood on the Arco Arena court Monday night - and that was approximately an hour after his Philadelphia 76ers lost to the Kings 118-109.
Webber was being spun around one way and then the other by well-wishers hoping to get a hug and give a hug. Seniors, children, former teammates, family members of Philadelphia coaches - you name them and they were among the nearly 200 people who waited for Webber to dress, address the media and then make his way through a crowd.
They didn't care that he had shot just 8 of 26 from the field (after starting 4 of 5) on the way to a 20-point, 10-rebound, three-assist, three-turnover night.
And although he was disappointed the 76ers lost in his first game in Sacramento as a former Kings All-Star, there was a feeling a relief that he had survived the experience. He had survived feeling "stupid" while standing out on the court during the introductions and receiving a loud, rousing, standing ovation from the 17,317 in the arena.
"It was almost like just coming in and trying to separate this day as a different part of my career here," he told the packed interview room that for the first time during a regular-season game hosted an opposing player for a postgame session. "I didn't want this to be me versus them. I enjoyed my time here. I wanted to win, but there will be some guys in that (Kings') locker room who I'll be friends with when we probably can't even walk from all this playing.
"No one can make this day a negative. I'm (ticked) that we lost. But this is a good day because it means closure. I hope everybody will remember our (Kings) team for what it was. It was a good team, and we would have done great this year."
Webber said this was different from being traded by Golden State to Washington and from Washington to Sacramento.
"The obvious is this is the first time I was traded in the middle of the season," he said. "The first time being traded from a championship contender. The first time I tried to pack six years' worth of stuff in one day."
Replacing some of the boos and groans that he sometimes heard during his nearly seven seasons here were signs - all kinds, shapes and sizes - attempting to communicate from long distance that Webber is gone, but not forgotten, and still appreciated.
Webber's day didn't just begin once he walked into the visitors' locker room before the game. He went to a bank in Oak Park during the afternoon and shortly after conducting his business, there was visible evidence that word of his presence had spread in the neighborhood.
People began coming out onto the street with cameras, notepads for autographs and greetings. Webber bought some Negro League hats from a woman selling them out of the trunk of her car. He took a couple of pictures and had a brief conversation with Oak Park businessman and former NBA star Kevin Johnson, who came out of his office. Then it was time to return to the hotel to rest for the exhaustion that followed. And as much as the 40 minutes he struggled through on the court, it was the experience of closure that allowed him to rest knowing another chapter in his life had ended.
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