It was not ?HUUUUGHES? they were yelling.

Former Wizard and current Cleveland Cavalier Larry Hughes returned to Washington amid a chorus of boos Monday night in the preseason opener for both teams.

He was booed when the starting lineups were introduced. He was booed when he went to the free throw line. He was booed each time he touched the ball.

Hardly a triumphant return for Hughes, one of Washington?s ?Big Three? last season along with Gilbert Arenas and Antawn Jamison that helped the franchise end an eight-year postseason drought and win its first playoff series win since 1982.

Hughes entered this past offseason as a free agent with both he and the Wizards publicly claiming their intent on reaching a new deal. But Hughes ultimately signed a five-year contract with Cleveland worth nearly $70 million.

Cleveland prevailed Monday, 116-94, but the 12,106 in attendance at MCI Center seemed more concerned with chastising Hughes than the outcome, understandable for a preseason game.

?A lot of those fans that were booing me wanted me to come back,? said Hughes, who posted career highs in points (22.0), rebounds (6.3), assists (4.7) and steals (NBA-high 2.89) last season with the Wizards. ?So I understand it.?

Hughes joined third-year star LeBron James in Cleveland and the two showed flashes Monday of developing the chemistry Hughes and Arenas became known for.

?It?s a business and you?ve go to do what you do,? Arenas said. ?If [Hughes] feels that?s the best fit for him than that?s his choice. I support him 100 percent and he?s still one my best friends in the league.?