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."