PHILADELPHIA - Chris Webber has said all the right things about fitting in better this year with Philadelphia and coexisting with Allen Iverson.

Now the five-time All-Star power forward seems set to prove it on the court.

After missing the first six preseason games with a strained right quadriceps, Webber says he’s healthy enough to make his debut when the 76ers play the New York Knicks on Tuesday.

“I’m definitely looking forward to getting back out on that floor and shooting and running back in the arena, getting used to Wachovia again,” Webber said after Monday’s practice.

Webber had been limited since he was hit in the thigh at practice nearly two weeks ago, but went all out Monday and even stayed late to work out some post moves with Samuel Dalembert.

Webber planned to show some caution against the Knicks because he didn’t want to risk hurting himself again. He hopes to work on his timing, conditioning and maybe even catching a few passes from Iverson.

Coach Maurice Cheeks hasn’t wanted to rush Webber back to the lineup.

“If there’s anything wrong with him at all, I’d rather him sit out and play in a regular-season game than a preseason one,” Cheeks said. “But I think guys need to get a game or two under their belt to get ready for the regular season. It’s not (that) they have to, but I’d like to see it.”

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But the true test comes next week in the season opener against Milwaukee on Nov. 1. That’s when Webber can either begin to show the final 21 games of last year when he was misused and miserable were an aberration and he can regain his 20-point game form, or that maybe he doesn’t fit with the Sixers after all.

“That’s showtime,” Webber said. “That’s when I’m ready to get back out there.”

Cheeks is certainly ready to see Webber back out there. The new Sixers coach has little idea how well his injury-prone starting lineup will mesh under his system.

Not once have the Sixers had their starting five together on the court.

Not in training camp. Not in practice. Not in a preseason game.

Dalembert (strained quad) returned to practice Sunday and may play for the first time against the Knicks and Iverson missed practice Monday because of personal reasons.

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So maybe the Sixers starting five will all be in place for the last two preseason games before the opener.

“I can look at it and say some of the guys have had a lot of experience because of the guys that have been hurt, but I also would like to have the guys that are going to play out on the court,” Cheeks said.

The Sixers are anxious and curious about how well Iverson and Webber can click on the court. Webber was uncomfortable after being traded to Philly last year, and he’s talked for weeks about wanting to prove he’s still one of the top power forwards around.

“I definitely think myself and Allen will be cool,” Webber said. “I think it’s good for everybody to get together to see how we play together. It’s going to be a learning process in the beginning, but it should be easy to get back to it.”