SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) A grainy photo Chris Webber keeps in his locker shows him dunking and scowling with as much menace as a Detroit teenager can muster.

He put the photo there about a year ago, primarily for comedy's sake _ his legs are splayed to a ridiculous width _ but it's also a reminder of good times for Webber, who just went through one of the most difficult periods of his life.

The five-time All-Star returned to the Sacramento Kings' lineup last week for the first time since May, when he seriously injured his left knee during a playoff game. The 10 months since were a nightmare of rehab and legal problems, leaving him in a sort of depression that's only just begun to lift.

``You just want to be in a dungeon,'' Webber said. ``You want to be by yourself and work it out. When you can't do anything, you feel like, what am I here for? That's why I``m just grateful for this _ grateful to be back and just thinking about winning.''

Webber is back in uniform, but it'll be a while before he's back to top form. His season debut _ 26 points and 12 rebounds in a victory over the Clippers _ was shockingly successful, but the Kings don't expect such numbers out of their recovering power forward every night.

In fact, they expect a few more games similar to Webber's performance Tuesday against Golden State: He shot 2-for-21 from the field, sparking boos from the most impatient Sacramento fans.

``You can say it was horrible, horrific, terrible and a couple of words you can't use on TV, but that's about it,'' Webber said. ``I felt very good. It wasn't knee-related. It wasn't leg-related. It was shot-related. It was wrist-related.''

And that's the most important factor for Webber: He feels completely healthy for the first time in years. In fact, his troublesome ankles are as solid as they've ever been, thanks to 10 months without the excessive jumping that's necessary in the NBA.

The Western Conference-leading Kings (47-16) are taking it slow with Webber, resting him for the second game of back-to-back nights and limiting his playing time, even if it means sitting him in the closing minutes of tight games. Coach Rick Adelman hopes Webber will hit his stride in about a month _ just before the playoffs begin.

``But there's only so much you can do to slow down Chris,'' Adelman said. ``He's been waiting in the wings for so long, and it's not a natural feeling for him. He wants to be active. He's used to being the best player on the court, and he'll get back there soon.''

After watching his teammates compile the NBA's best record without him this season, Webber realizes he's just one ingredient in the Kings' recipe for success.

And that's a comfort to a player who has been in the spotlight for several dispiriting reasons in recent years. Now that rehab is over and his legal battles largely have been settled, Webber is searching for some sort of normalcy in his routine as the playoffs approach.

If postseason pressure gets Webber down this spring, he'll quickly realize things could be much worse: He could be on the underwater treadmill, or he could be in the Kings' deserted practice complex, running countless agility drills with trainer Manny Romero.

``I can't imagine a more tough time,'' Webber said. ``Usually when you get on the court, you can let off that steam. But it was just me and Manny in a room. There's no fun in that. It's like someone saying you can't be a part of your family.''

When Webber returned to the Kings' active roster after the All-Star break, the NBA suspended him for eight games. A suspension was expected after he pleaded guilty to lying to a grand jury about his relationship with University of Michigan booster Ed Martin _ but Webber got an extra ban for violating the league's drug policy.

Webber had a marijuana arrest in his past, but had been nowhere near trouble in his five years in Sacramento. He had been a model citizen, participating in numerous charity ventures and community activities while winning over Sacramento despite a big flirtation with free agency in 2001.

``We just want him to get back to playing basketball,'' Vlade Divac said. ``He knows that we support him, and Sacramento supports him. He only has to worry about his teammates and the fans in Sacramento. Nobody else matters.''

When Webber got discouraged, he would rely on his family, his teammates, his faith and memories of better times, such as those in the photo in his locker. But even Webber's high school days are no longer a refuge: The Michigan High School Athletic Association recently ruled Webber was ineligible when he played at Detroit Country Day High School because of his relationship with Martin.

``I'm not bitter. I'm not angry,'' Webber said. ``I just want to start over. I want to enjoy the job that I have and enjoy the people that I'm around while I have time to be around them.

``Before, you want to fight every battle. You want to prove everyone wrong. I'm just in a place now where I want to enjoy the people I have around me.''