[Underdog]

Webber set to return to Golden State


OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - More than 13 years after Chris Webber demanded to leave the Golden State Warriors, the free-agent forward is all set to return.

Webber sent an e-mail to The Associated Press on Monday night confirming he will rejoin the Warriors and coach Don Nelson, who won a power struggle with the former No. 1 draft pick in their messy first stint with the franchise.

The five-time All-Star is expected to be with the Warriors when they visit Houston on Tuesday night, though it's uncertain whether he'll play. Golden State visits New Orleans on Wednesday before returning home to face Charlotte on Friday.

Nelson apparently masterminded the Warriors' decision to re-sign Webber, who hasn't played in the NBA this season, as a backup big man and offensive playmaker. Golden State spokesman Raymond Ridder said the club had no official announcement planned for Monday, but Nelson has spoken repeatedly about the team's hopes of signing Webber in recent days.

Just a few days after Chris Mullin said he planned no significant changes to the club with the NBA's second-most victories since mid-November, Nelson apparently convinced Golden State's top executive to take a chance on Webber. The power forward's diminished athleticism and uneven playoff performances convinced his hometown Pistons not to re-sign him last summer.

A slow-footed, soon-to-be 35-year-old big man with surgically repaired knees and a bad history with the head coach seems to be a terrible fit for the Warriors' harmonious team chemistry and their up-tempo style. But Nelson has done stranger things in his highly successful career.

"I'm afraid if we don't get him here, our team is not strong enough to be a playoff team," said Nelson, whose club is seventh in the conference at 27-18 after two months of largely outstanding play. "I think he has a chance to make some of our players better and make our team better. Really that's all that's important. I'll get along with anybody who can help our team."

The second-winningest coach in NBA history claims the Warriors desperately need Webber's passing abilities and bulk to compete with the Western Conference's best centers and power forwards. Webber's arrival could mean less playing time for Al Harrington and Andris Biedrins, while also increasing the likelihood Golden State will make a move near the trade deadline.

Webber was acquired by the Warriors in 1993 in a draft-day trade with Orlando, which made him just the second sophomore to be the draft's top pick. He won the Rookie of the Year award and made the playoffs in his only season in Golden State.

But Webber repeatedly clashed with Nelson, demanding a trade before his second season. The former Michigan star eventually was dealt to Washington in November 1994 for Tom Gugliotta and three first-round picks, and Webber has been loudly booed at Oracle Arena ever since.

The battle turned out to be a serious setback for both men and the Golden State franchise. Webber toiled in Washington for four years before enjoying his best NBA seasons with Sacramento, while Nelson was fired by Golden State just a few months after Webber left - and the Warriors missed the playoffs for the first of 12 straight losing seasons.

Nelson returned to the club last season, installing a fast-paced offense built around Baron Davis. The rejuvenated roster snapped the Warriors' playoff drought, and the eighth-seeded club upset the league-leading Dallas Mavericks in the first round before losing to Utah.

Webber has not played since the Pistons lost to Cleveland in last season's Eastern Conference finals. A Greek club reportedly made a lucrative offer to Webber, but none of his preferred NBA destinations worked out.