This tangled Webber

PHILADELPHIA – The strange confluence of Chris Webber’s past and present came down to the play that “never works.”

It would have worked this time if Webber had converted a layup.

Webber came up short on a last-second layup after grabbing an offensive rebound off an intentionally missed free throw, spoiling his debut for the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night in a 101-99 loss to the Sacramento Kings.

“For some reason, that play never works,” Webber said of the intentional miss. “I just knew it was going to work this time. I tried to get it out of my left hand and throw it up, thinking time, but there was more time than I thought, and after I missed, it was a letdown.”

Webber had 16 points, 11 rebounds and three steals in his first game with his new team. Strangely, it came against the franchise that traded him less than 72 hours earlier.

Webber didn’t have the ball in his hands as much as he’s accustomed to, but Allen Iverson took care of distributing it by handing out a season-high 14 assists to go with his 27 points.

Mike Bibby scored 19 points to lead six players in double figures for the Kings.

Webber was shocked when he first learned he had been traded, an emotion that didn’t quite compare to the weirdness as he debuted for his new team against his old one.

“Real weird seeing No. 4 starting for the other team, but a lot of fun,” Sacramento’s Brad Miller said.

Webber, wearing a red and black headband and a white “Sixers” jersey, exchanged hugs with all five starters from his former team after receiving a thunderous ovation during introductions from the 76ers’ first sellout crowd of the season.

Scalper traffic was heavy outside the arena, and the arena was full for the first time in 26 home games. More than 11,500 advance tickets have been sold since the 76ers pulled off the trade for Webber on Wednesday.

The relatively low price the Sixers paid, giving up forwards Corliss Williamson, Kenny Thomas and Brian Skinner while keeping intact their young core of Samuel Dalembert, Kyle Korver, Andre Iguodala and Willie Green, helped contribute to a palpable air of excitement.

Webber knocked down his first two shots, both jumpers, and played to the crowd after Sacramento was forced to call an early timeout.

“When I hit my first shot and they reacted that way, it was like: OK, this is going to be home. It felt great,” Webber said.