Frustrated crowd: Iverson, Webber made it Fans Unappreciated Night.

By Marc Narducci

Inquirer Staff Writer

When Allen Iverson and Chris Webber were not in the 76ers' lineup for last night's 91-88 win over the New Jersey Nets, fans at the Wachovia Center reacted in predictable fashion.

The stars sat out on Fan Appreciation Night, no less.

The Sixers said Iverson had an ankle injury and Webber was suffering from a sore lower back. After the game, Sixers president and general manager Billy King said both would have played if the Sixers were in the playoff hunt.

And Webber and Iverson drew King's ire by failing to show up until 7:05 p.m., moments before tip-off, and not sitting on the bench.

Couple that with the fact that it could have been Iverson's last home game in a Sixers uniform, and the team had a public-relations nightmare.

"I'm an Iverson fan and I could have cried when I heard he wasn't playing," said fan Paula Cameron, 31, of Elkton, Md.

She attended the game with boyfriend David Prasad, 41, of Centerville, Va.

"I wanted to support A.I. and say thank you, and this is a slap in the face," Prasad said.

Armando Trevino, 20, and his girlfriend, Jenifer Adame, were more forgiving. Both flew in yesterday from Los Angeles and planned to depart for home this morning. They said their sole mission was to see the Sixers.

"We wanted to see Allen Iverson and the last home game of the year," said Trevino, wearing a black Iverson jersey. "I'm glad we came because I have never been to the Wachovia Center and we have had a good time, but it would have been better with A.I."

Ron Eisenman, 41, of Manchester, Vt., is originally from Wilmington and came with his son Nathanial to visit friends and see the game. Both wore red Iverson jerseys.

"It's disappointing because we wanted to see him," the elder Eisenman said of Iverson.

Daryl Black, 20, of Voorhees, Camden County, was equally frustrated.

"It doesn't make sense," said Black, attired in a black Iverson jersey. "It's the only game I got to go to and I'm pretty shocked."

One ardent Iverson supporter is Danny Freeman, 25, of Philadelphia, who was wearing a red Iverson jersey.

"I've been a season-ticket holder for eight years, and as long as he is here, I'll be here," Freeman said. "I won't renew my season tickets if he isn't here next year."

Patrick McGee, 19, of Philadelphia attended the game with his brother Brian, 26. It was appropriate that Patrick was wearing a blue Iverson jersey and Brian wore a black Webber jersey.

"Without those two, it's hard to watch," Patrick McGee said.

Added his brother, "For those two not to play sums up this season."