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Chris Webber Says He's Working To Keep Kings In Sacramento

(CBS13) - Former Sacramento King Chris Webber says he's trying to keep the Kings in Sacramento.

Webber who is now a basketball analyst for TNT made the comments during TNT's Inside Basketball show on Tuesday night.  Webber, along with another former Kings player, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley were talking about the possible Kings move.

"I wouldn't be myself if it weren't for Sacramento. I didn't want to go there. I tried to run away from there.  They still accepted me," explained Webber. "I can't imagine what Sacramento would be like without basketball and what basketball would be like without Sacramento."

Webber, Smith and Barkley all said they believe Sacramento has the best fans in the NBA supporting the team whether they were winning or losing.  Webber says he's working with some "connected" people to try and keep the Kings in the Capital City.

"I was talking to people here.  I know everyone thinks the team is gone.  But I'm doing all I can to keep the team there.   I may sound like a fool on national TV.  But I believe we can keep the team there," said Webber.

Webber went on to say, his push to keep the team in Sacramento is "very selfish" saying he wouldn't have a basketball home if the team leaves.

"I want to have a home in Sacramento where my team is.  I want to have a place where I can watch young guys come up.  For me, hopefully, it is not a lost cause," Webber said. "I love Sacramento. Hopefully for the fans there, we get to keep the team."

Chuck Barkley jokingly said he's give Chris Webber $10-$15 million to buy the team.  He then went to place some of the blame on the Kings possible move directly on the Maloofs.

"I really like the Maloof brothers, I want to make that perfectly clear," said Barkley. "But I'm very disappointed in them. I think they should have found a way to keep that team in Sacramento."
Webber ended the segment by yelling "don't let them leave!".

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