http://www.sacbee.com/351/story/458239.html
Kings dealing with a harsh reality
Team must find their way knowing their leader will be out 10 to 12 weeks.
By Sam Amick - samick@sacbee.com
Last Updated 1:39 am PDT Sunday, October 28, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C1
What happened in Vegas will stay with the Kings for some time, that day of misfortune when Mike Bibby fell in such a routine manner during practice at UNLV and tore a ligament while trying to brace himself.
Now, his team will try to do the same.
After Bibby had surgery on his left thumb Saturday morning, the Kings must brace themselves for the reality that their point guard will be out 10 to 12 weeks. The player long considered All-Star caliber leaves his position to players full of youth and inexperience, and a first-year coach with visions of returning the franchise to the playoffs is forced to forgo the big picture for now.
"I'm really big on being in the moment," Kings coach Reggie Theus said by phone. "Living in the moment means that you can't dwell on what you can't do. You have to dwell on where you are and how you can make it work. Do I realize that the reality is that it's going to be really tough? Yes. It was going to be tough with Mike. But it's going to be that much tougher, and I feel bad for him."
Bibby, who also suffered an injury last exhibition season, couldn't tough it out this time. Five exhibition games into the 2006-07 campaign, Bibby suffered an injury to his right shooting wrist and thumb during a game against New Orleans in Reno and was bothered by it for months. Nonetheless, he made a surprise start in the regular-season opener and logged 82 games while his ailing hand hurt his shot significantly.
Theus said the decision to operate rather than let Bibby's ligament heal was "a no-brainer" this time. The procedure was performed at the UC Davis Medical Center by Dr. Robert Szabo.
"(Bibby) knows that this was the only way out," Theus said.
While there were no immediate additions of a veteran free agent to serve as a Band-Aid of sorts, Theus said "there's no doubt we've got to get somebody in here."
In terms of signing a free agent, the Kings are over the salary cap and can offer only the minimum salary.
Although 17-year veteran Gary Payton is available, a more likely addition might be nine-year veteran Earl Boykins, who played for Milwaukee last season and remains unemployed. There will be an eye on Houston as well, as former Kings coach Rick Adelman has 19 players and only a few days left to trim down to the league limit of 15.
Guard John Lucas III, a third-year reserve, is expected to be waived Monday, and the Rockets have a glut of guards that includes Luther Head, Rafer Alston, Steve Francis, Mike James and rookie Aaron Brooks. Ironically, the Kings tried unsuccessfully to acquire a second draft pick in June with the intent of taking Brooks out of Oregon. Yet there might be a temptation to stand pat as well, to give the Kings' younger players trial-by-fire experience in the interest of a long-term plan of development.
While second-year guard Quincy Douby started in Bibby's place Friday against the Lakers, swingman Francisco García is capable of bringing the ball up and Orien Greene might offer the most conventional pick at the point. Defensively, Greene could help early as the Kings face speedy point guards Chris Paul (New Orleans) in Wednesday's opener and Tony Parker (San Antonio) on Friday. John Salmons would typically be a candidate as well, but he is expected to start for Ron Artest while he serves his seven-game league suspension to start the season that came as a result of his no-contest plea to domestic violence in May.
"I'm so used to Mike being out there on the court, having the ball in his hands, having him run the offense, that it's just not natural out there without him," Salmons said. "Somehow, we have to come together, to ... take up his slack. People don't realize how much of a (load) was on his shoulders, how much he helped us, how much he leads this team."
Greene, who has played alongside Bibby for less than a month, said it didn't take long to recognize his impact.
"He is a huge part of the offense," said Greene, a third-year player who was the primary backup to Delonte West in Boston two seasons ago. "We've got a lot of scorers, a lot of guys who can fill that void. But with him out, we've just got to hold it down until he gets back."
About the writer: Call The Bee's Sam Amick, (916) 326-5582.
Kings dealing with a harsh reality
Team must find their way knowing their leader will be out 10 to 12 weeks.
By Sam Amick - samick@sacbee.com
Last Updated 1:39 am PDT Sunday, October 28, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C1
What happened in Vegas will stay with the Kings for some time, that day of misfortune when Mike Bibby fell in such a routine manner during practice at UNLV and tore a ligament while trying to brace himself.
Now, his team will try to do the same.
After Bibby had surgery on his left thumb Saturday morning, the Kings must brace themselves for the reality that their point guard will be out 10 to 12 weeks. The player long considered All-Star caliber leaves his position to players full of youth and inexperience, and a first-year coach with visions of returning the franchise to the playoffs is forced to forgo the big picture for now.
"I'm really big on being in the moment," Kings coach Reggie Theus said by phone. "Living in the moment means that you can't dwell on what you can't do. You have to dwell on where you are and how you can make it work. Do I realize that the reality is that it's going to be really tough? Yes. It was going to be tough with Mike. But it's going to be that much tougher, and I feel bad for him."
Bibby, who also suffered an injury last exhibition season, couldn't tough it out this time. Five exhibition games into the 2006-07 campaign, Bibby suffered an injury to his right shooting wrist and thumb during a game against New Orleans in Reno and was bothered by it for months. Nonetheless, he made a surprise start in the regular-season opener and logged 82 games while his ailing hand hurt his shot significantly.
Theus said the decision to operate rather than let Bibby's ligament heal was "a no-brainer" this time. The procedure was performed at the UC Davis Medical Center by Dr. Robert Szabo.
"(Bibby) knows that this was the only way out," Theus said.
While there were no immediate additions of a veteran free agent to serve as a Band-Aid of sorts, Theus said "there's no doubt we've got to get somebody in here."
In terms of signing a free agent, the Kings are over the salary cap and can offer only the minimum salary.
Although 17-year veteran Gary Payton is available, a more likely addition might be nine-year veteran Earl Boykins, who played for Milwaukee last season and remains unemployed. There will be an eye on Houston as well, as former Kings coach Rick Adelman has 19 players and only a few days left to trim down to the league limit of 15.
Guard John Lucas III, a third-year reserve, is expected to be waived Monday, and the Rockets have a glut of guards that includes Luther Head, Rafer Alston, Steve Francis, Mike James and rookie Aaron Brooks. Ironically, the Kings tried unsuccessfully to acquire a second draft pick in June with the intent of taking Brooks out of Oregon. Yet there might be a temptation to stand pat as well, to give the Kings' younger players trial-by-fire experience in the interest of a long-term plan of development.
While second-year guard Quincy Douby started in Bibby's place Friday against the Lakers, swingman Francisco García is capable of bringing the ball up and Orien Greene might offer the most conventional pick at the point. Defensively, Greene could help early as the Kings face speedy point guards Chris Paul (New Orleans) in Wednesday's opener and Tony Parker (San Antonio) on Friday. John Salmons would typically be a candidate as well, but he is expected to start for Ron Artest while he serves his seven-game league suspension to start the season that came as a result of his no-contest plea to domestic violence in May.
"I'm so used to Mike being out there on the court, having the ball in his hands, having him run the offense, that it's just not natural out there without him," Salmons said. "Somehow, we have to come together, to ... take up his slack. People don't realize how much of a (load) was on his shoulders, how much he helped us, how much he leads this team."
Greene, who has played alongside Bibby for less than a month, said it didn't take long to recognize his impact.
"He is a huge part of the offense," said Greene, a third-year player who was the primary backup to Delonte West in Boston two seasons ago. "We've got a lot of scorers, a lot of guys who can fill that void. But with him out, we've just got to hold it down until he gets back."
About the writer: Call The Bee's Sam Amick, (916) 326-5582.
With all of Bibby's injuries, his market value must be going down.
