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Bibby needs a breather, but Kings' offense could suffer
By Martin McNeal -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Thursday, March 17, 2005
Kings coach Rick Adelman knows playing Mike Bibby 43 minutes per game isn't the way to go, even though that might be the best way he sees to win.
Adelman says it's up to him to find more rest for Bibby, the only healthy pure point guard on the Kings' roster and their best clutch player.
Not only does Adelman risk fatiguing Bibby down the stretch, but increased minutes lead to a higher chance of injury.
And the earliest injured guard Bobby Jackson will return from wrist surgery is the final week of the regular season, if then.
"I have to do it," Adelman said of resting Bibby, "I really do. Maybe it's getting him out the last couple of minutes of the first quarter and then into the first couple of minutes of the second quarter when you get that first timeout to get him a really nice blow. I've just got trust in these guys.
"But the onus is trying to win games now, and sometimes it's hard to pull the trigger."
The guys to whom Adelman referred are Eddie House and rookie Kevin Martin, whom the coach says could see more playing time behind Bibby.
The Kings (40-25) meet the Golden State Warriors (20-44) tonight at The Arena in Oakland in what is the first of three games in four nights.
House says he's ready for more playing time.
"Yeah, I'd love to get some more playing time, but that's the coach's decision," said House, who is Bibby's brother-in-law.
Bibby has played no fewer than 41 minutes in each of the past five games and had a huge role in the Kings' 4-1 record. Bibby shot 40 of 92 (43.5 percent) overall and 8 of 25 (32 percent) from three-point range during that stretch.
During a seven-game stretch from Dec. 31 through Jan. 11, Bibby played at least 40 minutes per game. Four times, Bibby, then playing with Chris Webber and Brad Miller, shot at least 46.7 percent from the field.
The Kings are working with a different roster configuration now, and it's one in a learning mode. Adelman said part of Wednesday's practice (yes, including a rare scrimmage) was spent working on how to keep the Kings' offense flowing without Bibby on the court.
Adelman said he gave Bibby, whose left leg was sore, the day off from scrimmaging.
"What we've got to try to do is say, 'OK, he's out of the game, and this is what we're going to run,' " Adelman said, "and that's what we tried to do (Wednesday).
"I think what happens a lot is we just don't move the ball. We played different combinations (during practice). But I don't see any reason why we can't (play without Bibby). I have to be a little bit more aware of my substitutions and when he goes out, who do you want on the floor?"
Adelman said he can use Darius Songaila and Kenny Thomas to handle the ball at the high post when Bibby is out of the game, but that takes a little work.
"Once you get to practice it and look at it," Adelman said, "it's easier for those guys to incorporate it into the game."
The coach knows teams have recognized the Kings' difficulties minus Bibby on the court. Some opponents unveil full-court pressure as soon as he sits.
"But I don't think that really should be a problem," Adelman said. "We have big guys who are good enough that you can pass ahead and cut off them and get the ball. I think what's happening is we're bringing the ball up court and we're dribbling too much."
Bibby said Wednesday he believes he will be fine, as long as he can rest between games.
"I guess we'll see," he said when asked if he could play 43 minutes per game. Adelman can make it so Bibby doesn't have to find out.
http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/12576054p-13430742c.html
I think it's very smart thinking for Adelman to figure out what he would do if Bibby was unavailable. We need to give Bibby some minutes of rest per game but not lose games because of it.
By Martin McNeal -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Thursday, March 17, 2005
Kings coach Rick Adelman knows playing Mike Bibby 43 minutes per game isn't the way to go, even though that might be the best way he sees to win.
Adelman says it's up to him to find more rest for Bibby, the only healthy pure point guard on the Kings' roster and their best clutch player.
Not only does Adelman risk fatiguing Bibby down the stretch, but increased minutes lead to a higher chance of injury.
And the earliest injured guard Bobby Jackson will return from wrist surgery is the final week of the regular season, if then.
"I have to do it," Adelman said of resting Bibby, "I really do. Maybe it's getting him out the last couple of minutes of the first quarter and then into the first couple of minutes of the second quarter when you get that first timeout to get him a really nice blow. I've just got trust in these guys.
"But the onus is trying to win games now, and sometimes it's hard to pull the trigger."
The guys to whom Adelman referred are Eddie House and rookie Kevin Martin, whom the coach says could see more playing time behind Bibby.
The Kings (40-25) meet the Golden State Warriors (20-44) tonight at The Arena in Oakland in what is the first of three games in four nights.
House says he's ready for more playing time.
"Yeah, I'd love to get some more playing time, but that's the coach's decision," said House, who is Bibby's brother-in-law.
Bibby has played no fewer than 41 minutes in each of the past five games and had a huge role in the Kings' 4-1 record. Bibby shot 40 of 92 (43.5 percent) overall and 8 of 25 (32 percent) from three-point range during that stretch.
During a seven-game stretch from Dec. 31 through Jan. 11, Bibby played at least 40 minutes per game. Four times, Bibby, then playing with Chris Webber and Brad Miller, shot at least 46.7 percent from the field.
The Kings are working with a different roster configuration now, and it's one in a learning mode. Adelman said part of Wednesday's practice (yes, including a rare scrimmage) was spent working on how to keep the Kings' offense flowing without Bibby on the court.
Adelman said he gave Bibby, whose left leg was sore, the day off from scrimmaging.
"What we've got to try to do is say, 'OK, he's out of the game, and this is what we're going to run,' " Adelman said, "and that's what we tried to do (Wednesday).
"I think what happens a lot is we just don't move the ball. We played different combinations (during practice). But I don't see any reason why we can't (play without Bibby). I have to be a little bit more aware of my substitutions and when he goes out, who do you want on the floor?"
Adelman said he can use Darius Songaila and Kenny Thomas to handle the ball at the high post when Bibby is out of the game, but that takes a little work.
"Once you get to practice it and look at it," Adelman said, "it's easier for those guys to incorporate it into the game."
The coach knows teams have recognized the Kings' difficulties minus Bibby on the court. Some opponents unveil full-court pressure as soon as he sits.
"But I don't think that really should be a problem," Adelman said. "We have big guys who are good enough that you can pass ahead and cut off them and get the ball. I think what's happening is we're bringing the ball up court and we're dribbling too much."
Bibby said Wednesday he believes he will be fine, as long as he can rest between games.
"I guess we'll see," he said when asked if he could play 43 minutes per game. Adelman can make it so Bibby doesn't have to find out.
http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/12576054p-13430742c.html
I think it's very smart thinking for Adelman to figure out what he would do if Bibby was unavailable. We need to give Bibby some minutes of rest per game but not lose games because of it.
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