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Webber Cheered in Losing Return

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From Associated Press

Chris Webber is ready to move on. After dressing in the visitors’ locker room, wearing Philadelphia’s black uniform and hearing one last roar from the crowd, his seven seasons in Sacramento finally feel like the past.

Webber had 20 points and 10 rebounds in his first game back at Arco Arena since the Kings traded him last month, but Cuttino Mobley scored 30 points in Sacramento’s 118-109 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night.

“You’ve got to remember, I’m still friends with these guys,” Webber said. “I talk to them every day about everything. ... I want to keep these memories here in Sacramento as the best I’ve ever had. I just want to enjoy what I had.”

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The sellout crowd showered Webber with cheers, including a lengthy standing ovation during pregame introductions -- but the Kings controlled most of the second half with the up-tempo offense Webber so loved to play.

Mobley made six three-point baskets in his best game since joining the Kings, and fellow newcomer Kenny Thomas had 20 points and 15 rebounds against his former team.

After making four of his first five shots, Webber never got in a rhythm. He made eight of 26 shots, missing nine of his 12 after halftime.

Webber left the game to mild cheers with 16.9 seconds left, and he headed up the tunnel to the 76ers’ locker room with time still on the clock. He was followed by Allen Iverson, who had 34 points and eight assists.

“None of this compares with being traded,” Webber said. “Being told you’re traded, nothing compares to that. ... It’s been tough, but that’s life. What’s great is I’ll always have the memories to fall back on. Nothing can make this a bad day for me.”

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