Freed from the 76ers, Chris Webber wants this to be clear: He is happy playing basketball again now that he is with the Detroit Pistons.

But the mere mention of his former team wiped the smile off his face as the forward prepared for last night's game with the Washington Wizards.

He called his stay with the Sixers the most difficult part of his 14-year career.

"It was probably the first time I didn't enjoy basketball," Webber said, standing by the locker room at the Verizon Center.

Webber said he appreciated that Sixers president and general manager Billy King finally bought out his contract earlier this month and gave him his release.

"I'm really happy they let me go," Webber said. "I was really used to winning, and being in a situation where a lot is going on besides winning is tough."

Apparently it was not just the lack of winning that bothered Webber.

"When I was there, I definitely wanted to be away," he said. "... I definitely had to get away for my sanity."

Jay Wright, head coach for Villanova, refused to comment on a report in Tuesday's New York that names him as a candidate to replace Maurice Cheeks as head coach of the Sixers.

Larry Brown has been attending many of Villanova's practices and games.

Chris Webber told ESPN.com on Monday that he has chosen to sign with the Detroit Pistons.

He can officially sign with the Pistons on Tuesday after clearing waivers.

"There has been nothing that has turned him against Detroit," Webber's agent, Aaron Goodwin, said in the Detroit News prior to Webber's decision. "Detroit has been professional and aggressive in their pursuit. They have let Chris know how badly they want him, and that's been from Joe (Dumars) to Flip (Saunders) and down to the players.

"Nothing has turned negative against Detroit, other than other Eastern Conference teams not wanting him to go to Detroit," Goodwin said in the News.

Chris Webber was paid $36 million by the 76ers to be bought out, not $38 million as reported.  

Webber, according to this New York Post report, gave up $7 million that Philly owed him over the next 1.5 seasons.

A rare scorekeeping error caused Charlotte guard Jeff McInnis to be ejected in the first quarter of the Bobcats' game against Philadelphia on Saturday.

A Bobcats employee turned in an official roster before the game that did not include McInnis as an active player. McInnis was acquired in a trade from New Jersey on Jan. 4 and Saturday was Charlotte's first home game since the deal.

McInnis entered the game with 3:15 left in the first quarter. The 76ers called attention to the error eight seconds later during a break in play after a foul was called.

Referee Dick Bavetta called an official timeout and players from both teams went to the bench for several minutes before it was announced the Bobcats were called for a technical foul and McInnis was ejected.

Bobcats coach Bernie Bickerstaff looked at the incorrect roster before slamming it to the table and walking back to the bench.

The Pistons are close to reaching an agreement with free agent Chris Webber, sources close to the negotiations said Thursday night.

Webber, 33, who had the final two seasons of his contract bought out by the 76ers on Wednesday, will return to his Michigan roots where he once starred for Detroit Country Day High School and the University of Michigan.

Philadelphia 76ers President Billy King announced today that the Sixers have waived forward Chris Webber.

A five-time NBA All-Star selection (1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003), Webber ranks 70th all-time on the NBA scoring list with 16,661 career points while playing with four teams: Golden State (1993-94), Washington (1994-98), Sacramento (1998-2005) and Philadelphia (2005-07). The 14-year NBA veteran owns career averages of 21.4 points, 10.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.48 steals per game in 779 career regular season games and in 64 career playoff games, averaged 20.9 points, 9.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.20 steals per game.

Acquired by the 76ers on Feb. 23, 2005, along with Michael Bradley and Matt Barnes from Sacramento in exchange for Brian Skinner, Kenny Thomas and Corliss Williamson, Webber averaged 17.9 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.29 steals per game in 114 games with the Sixers.

Larry Brown would have loved this if he was still coaching Detroit instead of watching from a 76ers' luxury suite while his new team lost again.

Chauncey Billups was hurt and Rasheed Wallace was on the bench. So with precise passing and unselfishness that has defined the Pistons, it was Tayshaun Prince's turn to carry them.

Prince scored a career-high 33 points and Richard Hamilton had 22 to lead Detroit to a 98-89 victory over Philadelphia on Tuesday night.

Chris Webber was bought out of his contract with the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday.

According to a league source, Webber is likely to go to the Pistons, his hometown team. He reportedly has a five-team wish list: Miami, Detroit, San Antonio, Dallas, and the Lakers.

But as Thomas said, "We'll be interested in anyone who is made available, and if there's a fit, we'll try to make it work."

A source informed the Daily News late Tuesday night that Chris Webber and the Sixers had agreed on the terms of a buyout of the remainder of his contract, and that the details could be finalized as soon as Wednesday.

The source said that Webber, who will become a free agent, would give back less than $5 million in the deal. In his 14th NBA season, Webber is listed on the team's salary cap at $20,718,750 this season and is due $22,312,500 next season.