Bee: Bibby adds spring to step

[SacTownKid]

Sounds to me like the man is preparing for a contract year! Good for us? Bad for us? I don't know.

I wonder how much of this is do to Eric Musselman. He did say he needs everybody to be in tip top shape.

 

[tubiscus]

I'm glad to read that Mike is trying to regain some quickness. I've been hoping for this the past few years, since he bulked up. Obviously Nash is the comparison. Against Dallas in 01-02, 03-04, Mike used Nash. Last year, he was too slow.

He mentioned that he'd spoken with Coach Musselman. I hope the coach told him he'd average 35 mpg this season (instead of what....45??) and therefore will be expected to play on both ends of the court.

Now if they'd find a serious reserve for Brad....

 

[BigSong]

Sounds to me like the man is preparing for a contract year! Good for us? Bad for us? I don't know.

I wonder how much of this is do to Eric Musselman. He did say he needs everybody to be in tip top shape.

Most of it I believe. Musselman has been saying that we will see a more up tempo game. Bibby is preparing for that, plus we got a lot of guys at the 1 spot, he's got to be wondering about the future.

 

[Entity]

Ok here is the down low so Far. We all know about Bibby now he is 18 pounds lighter and ready for up tempo play. Ron wasn't close to in shape last year and he has been working this summer and is game ready. Brad Miller has been working with the U.S. team all summer and is possibly in the best shape of his career. Kevin Martin works all the time and gets better everyday. Last year SAR was doing well as far as points and post defense goes until the injury when he lost his stamina and energy. So he should be in alot better shape this year.


With all this being said with the team looking to be very good shape for an up tempo and defensive game plan I can only be optimistic about this season. I feel we will start off very fast something like a 15-4 record in our first 20 games. It will all hinge on injurys of course. But yes i am very very excited about this season. I don't want to look to far ahead and say if we will or won't win it all but i look forward to the 82 games of great Kings Basketball in a whole new era for us as fans and the players as a team.

 

[AriesMar27]

my only worry about mike losing weight is how he finishes around the basket... he uses his weight alot when he drives, bumping off of players to catch them offbalance... if he is lighter that might not work as well...

 

[Kingzrool]

my only worry about mike losing weight is how he finishes around the basket... he uses his weight alot when he drives, bumping off of players to catch them offbalance... if he is lighter that might not work as well...

For Bibby's style of play, finesse seems better than power. We have Ron for power. If Bibby can start to move quicker and be in the right place more often, it will add to his defense and our overall game!

 

[Kings113]

my only worry about mike losing weight is how he finishes around the basket... he uses his weight alot when he drives, bumping off of players to catch them offbalance... if he is lighter that might not work as well...

Well, Mike did say he's still strong.

 

[Kev.in]

If Chris Webber would cut 18lbs it'd help his lateral quickness immensely. Mike Bibby is just a little guy and he's lost 18!? He must've been in miserable shape at the end of the season. I don't know if this will make him that much more explosive, but it will keep him from wearing down. The roster also seems to be set up so that he won't have to be run into the ground like he was the past few seasons.

Someone mentioned how much quicker he looked at Arizona, you can even go back to the '02 playoffs and see how lean he was. People remember all the big jumpshots he hit but forget how often he got to the basket and how many fouls he drew in the series against the Lakers. That's the type of Bibby I want to see again. The bigger Bibby would put the ball on the floor and have to settle for a jumpshot because he couldn't get the step on his defender.

 

[Circa_1985_Fan]

If Chris Webber would cut 18lbs it'd help his lateral quickness immensely. Mike Bibby is just a little guy and he's lost 18!? He must've been in miserable shape at the end of the season. I don't know if this will make him that much more explosive, but it will keep him from wearing down. The roster also seems to be set up so that he won't have to be run into the ground like he was the past few seasons.

Someone mentioned how much quicker he looked at Arizona, you can even go back to the '02 playoffs and see how lean he was. People remember all the big jumpshots he hit but forget how often he got to the basket and how many fouls he drew in the series against the Lakers. That's the type of Bibby I want to see again. The bigger Bibby would put the ball on the floor and have to settle for a jumpshot because he couldn't get the step on his defender.

I think this pretty much says it all, very good post Kev! That being said, I'm not sure what's to happen with Mike after this year...if Mike plays his azz off this season, and improves on areas in which he has obvious flaws...staying in front of his man, defense, etc... I dont think the Maloofs will have any problem giving Mike a 'raise', even though he's making a Godly amount, already. Who knows??

 

[vladetomiller]

He played the best basketball of his career in 2002, which was during his contract year. Atleast he is not waiting for the last year of the contract to get in shape for the next big fat contract.

 

[nebs]

He played the best basketball of his career in 2002, which was during his contract year. Atleast he is not waiting for the last year of the contract to get in shape for the next big fat contract.

Gotta remember he was on arguably The Best Basketball Team in the world at that point. He had his best numbers this past season, right?

 

[uolj]

If Chris Webber would cut 18lbs it'd help his lateral quickness immensely.

Actually, I believe Webber did figure out recently that getting leaner was better than bulking up, and I think Bibby just made that same realization. I doubt it had much to do with Musselman, I'm guessing it really started after the beginning of last year when he got so much flak for being too bulky.

It is great to see him commit to something like this. It not only means he will be better ready for next season, but also means that he is still driven and focused.

 

[SacKings384]

Perhaps this could be reaching... But anyone think Bibby might be feeling a little heat given the recent direction the team has been going? I want Bibby here and in no way am I HOPING that is how he feels. But does anyone else think that might be a possibility?

 

[Circa_1985_Fan]

Perhaps this could be reaching... But anyone think Bibby might be feeling a little heat given the recent direction the team has been going? I want Bibby here and in no way am I HOPING that is how he feels. But does anyone else think that might be a possibility?

I thought about this, as well. Could be, but I guess this season will tell the story...if we are lackluster and in search of an identity, I say he walks after this year, if we take control of our destiny and create a positive inertia for ourselves, then I say he stays.

 

[LMM]

nice to hear something from mike. seems like it's been a long time.

good read.

can't wait to see him play this season!

hope it works out very well for him and especially the team!

 

[ParniValjak]

I thought about this, as well. Could be, but I guess this season will tell the story...if we are lackluster and in search of an identity, I say he walks after this year, if we take control of our destiny and create a positive inertia for ourselves, then I say he stays.

I very much doubt he will walk. I don't think GP will let him walk. Think about it, if Petrie even senses a hint that Bibby will be opting out and expecting a rise, then I can guarantee you that Bibby will get traded on the deadline.

 

[kingsfan101]

I very much doubt he will walk. I don't think GP will let him walk. Think about it, if Petrie even senses a hint that Bibby will be opting out and expecting a rise, then I can guarantee you that Bibby will get traded on the deadline.

I'm not sure Bibby will expect and demand a raise. If he opts out, he shall probably look for a good long term deal though, since 2 years down the line, his value might not be as high. I feel such a scenario works best for the Kings. as he is definitely one of the better players at his position.

 

[SacTownKid]

Ok here is the down low so Far. We all know about Bibby now he is 18 pounds lighter and ready for up tempo play. Ron wasn't close to in shape last year and he has been working this summer and is game ready. Brad Miller has been working with the U.S. team all summer and is possibly in the best shape of his career. Kevin Martin works all the time and gets better everyday. Last year SAR was doing well as far as points and post defense goes until the injury when he lost his stamina and energy. So he should be in alot better shape this year.


With all this being said with the team looking to be very good shape for an up tempo and defensive game plan I can only be optimistic about this season. I feel we will start off very fast something like a 15-4 record in our first 20 games. It will all hinge on injurys of course. But yes i am very very excited about this season. I don't want to look to far ahead and say if we will or won't win it all but i look forward to the 82 games of great Kings Basketball in a whole new era for us as fans and the players as a team.

Then again. all of these guys will have to get used to the new coaching staff and new roles so we could very well have a shaky start too.

 

[VF21]

We have a pretty good core of returning players. I don't predict a shaky start. We have training camp and we have the pre-season. I think they should be able to "get used to the new coaching staff and new roles" fairly quickly.

 

[OldSchoolKing]

as he is definitely one of the better players at his position.

I don't see many pg's available at that time that would be an equal to Bibby, he needs to be resigned.