Almost a year ago to the day, the Seattle SuperSonics and the Sacramento Kings played in a game that was supposed to be a rematch of the battle between power forwards Vin Baker and Chris Webber.

In their first meeting, in Sacramento on Nov. 25 of last year, Webber started trash-talking to Baker because Baker was on the 2000 Olympic team and Webber said he felt that he should have been on the team.

Both players were ejected in the game, after which Baker was chasing Webber around the bowels of Arco Arena, ostensibly looking for a fight.

Afterward, Webber called Baker "the softest power forward in the league," then ridiculed Baker for wearing tights in "The Nutcracker" when Baker performed at the Seattle Center.

In what was supposed to be the rematch, Baker again got ejected when Webber elbowed him on an offensive move in the fourth quarter. Baker retaliated with his own elbow and then was tossed.

When the teams meet at the KeyArena tonight, it could have been yet another intense rivalry.

But Baker apparently has diffused any possible situation by approaching Webber after the teams' final meeting last season, on Jan. 21, and coming to a mutual agreement.

"We put all that behind us," Baker said. "Chris and I talked. Basically it was just a misunderstanding. We have been friends in this league for a long time. It was just the heat of battle. That's what happens.

"So it is going to be a very easy game, a very good game for us. I think I am a different player this year, and obviously he feels he is a different player. So I am looking forward to it. I just have to go out and concentrate and do the things I've been doing for the past couple weeks."

Webber verified the meeting took place.

"He called me out of the locker room and we settled it like two men," Webber said. "We were just two competitors, and we were two men that got riled up. I respect him a lot for wanting to get things straight."

Nate McMillan was an assistant coach at the time of the first game in Sacramento, and he left the bench to chase after the two as they were chasing each other around the arena.

McMillan thinks it was more show than anything else.

"They had plenty of time to do something if they were going to do it," McMillan said, dismissing the huffing and puffing. "If you are going to do something, do it where it counts, in the ring."

When the teams met in the season opener, Webber did not play because of a severely sprained ankle.

He played in his sixth game Tuesday night against the Detroit Pistons in Sacramento, and is averaging 22 points, nine rebounds, three assists and 1.4 blocked shots.

Before the game Tuesday, the Kings were 3-2 since Webber returned. But they also have been without their leading scorer, Peja Stojakovic, who has missed two games with a sore back but played 41 minutes Tuesday.

It is unlikely Webber will be that focused on Baker because Webber is still trying to rediscover his game after so much time off.

Baker said that there are no lingering ill feelings toward Webber, although he said he still wants to prove to Webber he deserved his Olympic berth.

"I get up for everyone, not just Chris," Baker said. "You want to do that with every player in this league; you want to go out and play. But when you are playing one of the best power forwards in this league, you want to get up and have your best game. I am looking forward to it. But I would be lying if I said I was not looking forward to this game more than any other one."

Notes - Forward Rashard Lewis went to the floor hard going for a rebound, and McMillan said he looked "stiff." However, even though Lewis sat out the remainder of practice, he is expected to play tonight.