Bibby 'all business' after Kings don't make trade
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 8:16 pm PST Thursday, February 22, 2007
Mike Bibby will remain with the Kings after the NBA trade deadline came and went without Sacramento making a move. Sacramento Bee/Carl Costas
WASHINGTON - He had no choice but to believe his Kings days were numbered, so Mike Bibby conducted himself like a player on the verge of being traded.
Before the Kings faced Boston at home Tuesday, he let friend and teammate Brad Miller know that it might very well be their last game together.
Despite Miller's inflamed left foot hurting badly enough for him to sit out, he played.
Thursday at the Verizon Center, Bibby finished a shootaround with the Kings some three hours before the league's 3 p.m. EST trade deadline, then headed to lunch with his teammates for what might have been their last supper together.
But after months of speculation and signs that Bibby's six-year run in Sacramento would end, the Kings didn't move him - or any other player - on the final day of dealing. Bibby, meanwhile, was left with the bizarre sensation of not feeling like part of the overall plan but still being on the payroll.
"They say this is a business, and my business now is more certain than it was earlier today, so I'm going to go out there and play hard and try to make this playoff push," Bibby said before the Kings lost to the Washington Wizards 109-106. "I'm here playing. ... I'm here with this team now, and all this trade talk is done."
When Bibby said weeks ago that his preference was to finish his career with the Kings, he wouldn't answer when asked if he reached the point of wanting to be traded. Nor would he say whether the trade talks would change his plan to not opt out of his contract after this season. He has a combined $28 million and two seasons left on his contract, with the ability to opt out after this one and the next.
The talks surrounding a potential deal to send Bibby to Cleveland for forward Drew Gooden and some combination of expiring contracts and young players were, in the end, fruitless, even as Cavaliers general manager Danny Ferry tried desperately until the deadline to find a proposal that was to the Kings' liking.
Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie - who said Wednesday that "one of the biggest assassins in life is haste" - opted not to make any trade, setting up what might be a busy offseason.
In the Kings' locker room Thursday, some teammates were pleased that Bibby still was on board.
"He's the best point guard I've played with," said forward Kenny Thomas, who voiced his disagreement earlier in the season when Bibby trade talks heated up. "I'm glad (he wasn't traded)."
Coach Eric Musselman said the trade talk had little effect on himself or the team but might have impacted Bibby.
"I think anytime there's speculation, it can affect you," Musselman said. "And there won't be any speculation now."
There was nothing but speculation Thursday morning, and Bibby struggled with the notion that he could remain with the team that seemed so motivated to move him.
"I don't know where it's going to leave me," Bibby said. "I think they're trying to go in a different direction, and I don't think I'm involved in that direction."
As for how he handles himself now, Bibby said he has no choice but to turn around his season.
"I'm trying," he said. "That's what I'll do. That's what I'll have to do. I'm out here, and the situation that I'm put in is kind of difficult, so I'm going out there regardless."
No matter how much playing time or production comes of it.
"If I score 10 points, 20 points a night, I'm out there playing the best I can, regardless of how much time I get, if I bring the ball up or not, if I'm involved in the offense or not," he said. "I'm playing the best I can regardless."
http://www.sacbee.com/351/story/127443.html
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Things will be interesting in the offseason. I wonder if he'll opt out now. It sucks that his feelings had to get hurt, but oh well I guess that's basketball. I guess now all he can do is just go out and play.
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 8:16 pm PST Thursday, February 22, 2007
WASHINGTON - He had no choice but to believe his Kings days were numbered, so Mike Bibby conducted himself like a player on the verge of being traded.
Before the Kings faced Boston at home Tuesday, he let friend and teammate Brad Miller know that it might very well be their last game together.
Despite Miller's inflamed left foot hurting badly enough for him to sit out, he played.
Thursday at the Verizon Center, Bibby finished a shootaround with the Kings some three hours before the league's 3 p.m. EST trade deadline, then headed to lunch with his teammates for what might have been their last supper together.
But after months of speculation and signs that Bibby's six-year run in Sacramento would end, the Kings didn't move him - or any other player - on the final day of dealing. Bibby, meanwhile, was left with the bizarre sensation of not feeling like part of the overall plan but still being on the payroll.
"They say this is a business, and my business now is more certain than it was earlier today, so I'm going to go out there and play hard and try to make this playoff push," Bibby said before the Kings lost to the Washington Wizards 109-106. "I'm here playing. ... I'm here with this team now, and all this trade talk is done."
When Bibby said weeks ago that his preference was to finish his career with the Kings, he wouldn't answer when asked if he reached the point of wanting to be traded. Nor would he say whether the trade talks would change his plan to not opt out of his contract after this season. He has a combined $28 million and two seasons left on his contract, with the ability to opt out after this one and the next.
The talks surrounding a potential deal to send Bibby to Cleveland for forward Drew Gooden and some combination of expiring contracts and young players were, in the end, fruitless, even as Cavaliers general manager Danny Ferry tried desperately until the deadline to find a proposal that was to the Kings' liking.
Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie - who said Wednesday that "one of the biggest assassins in life is haste" - opted not to make any trade, setting up what might be a busy offseason.
In the Kings' locker room Thursday, some teammates were pleased that Bibby still was on board.
"He's the best point guard I've played with," said forward Kenny Thomas, who voiced his disagreement earlier in the season when Bibby trade talks heated up. "I'm glad (he wasn't traded)."
Coach Eric Musselman said the trade talk had little effect on himself or the team but might have impacted Bibby.
"I think anytime there's speculation, it can affect you," Musselman said. "And there won't be any speculation now."
There was nothing but speculation Thursday morning, and Bibby struggled with the notion that he could remain with the team that seemed so motivated to move him.
"I don't know where it's going to leave me," Bibby said. "I think they're trying to go in a different direction, and I don't think I'm involved in that direction."
As for how he handles himself now, Bibby said he has no choice but to turn around his season.
"I'm trying," he said. "That's what I'll do. That's what I'll have to do. I'm out here, and the situation that I'm put in is kind of difficult, so I'm going out there regardless."
No matter how much playing time or production comes of it.
"If I score 10 points, 20 points a night, I'm out there playing the best I can, regardless of how much time I get, if I bring the ball up or not, if I'm involved in the offense or not," he said. "I'm playing the best I can regardless."
http://www.sacbee.com/351/story/127443.html
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Things will be interesting in the offseason. I wonder if he'll opt out now. It sucks that his feelings had to get hurt, but oh well I guess that's basketball. I guess now all he can do is just go out and play.
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