http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/121545.html
Tough times hurting Bibby
The Kings veteran bristles at those who say his best days could be behind him.
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PST Saturday, February 10, 2007
His disappointment has spread, from his own play this season, to the fans and now all the way to the organization with which he so badly wants to finish his career.
If the 28-year-old Mike Bibby could, he'd hold a seminar to remind the masses of what he's done in the past, to ask that they remember that one rough season doesn't mean his career's over.
As the Kings point guard waits for his fate with the Feb. 22 trading deadline looming, he knows as much as anyone that his services have been put on the leaguewide table. Among the trade conversations -- according to three sources close to the team who didn't want to be identified because they were not authorized to speak -- were talks between the Kings and Cleveland as to what sort of deal would benefit both sides. Bibby has made clear his preference to stay in Sacramento and wishes the Kings shared the sentiment.
"It just shows what type of people you're dealing with, really," said Bibby, who is shooting a career-low 39.0 percent overall and just 30.5 percent from three-point range. "I just have to wait it out, to see if they're going to turn their back on me or whatever."
The new element is the apparent lack of mystery about Bibby's intentions. His agent, David Falk, told The Bee this week that Bibby is unlikely to opt out of his contract after this season. Thus, any Kings fears of losing Bibby for nothing in return should be quelled -- which may have been Falk's motivation in tipping his hand at a time when agents typically go dark. A trade at this point would, to a certain extent, make it clear that the Kings simply wanted to head in another direction.
Or, of course, Bibby could go nowhere and begin the process of resolving bruised feelings while earning $13.5 million next season.
The realm of the unknown, then, squarely lies on the side of the Kings. Meanwhile, Bibby and his family and friends are no different than fans, hearing trade chatter with his name attached and wondering if they'll all be uprooted. They are unlikely to hear of the real possibilities until something is close to happening, or perhaps even after it's done and the moving vans need to be called.
Bibby's contention, though, is that the faithful turned too fast. Even after the glory days with Chris Webber and Vlade Divac faded in the rearview mirror, Bibby led the team in scoring last season. He had to make major adjustments in the late playoff push, when the Kings' offense became post-heavy, while Ron Artest was being deified for the turnaround.
Entering this season, Kings director of player personnel Jerry Reynolds set what seemed to be an accurate tone when he predicted Bibby's finest season yet. Four months later, Bibby says he's become the scapegoat of sorts.
More than once, he has expressed displeasure with the occasional booing at Arco Arena, only to spark more ire from fans who say they have every right to be down on the current product. And now, it's the organization that Bibby says he doesn't understand.
"If (the Kings) are willing to give up on me after one bad shooting year, then that's the way they are," Bibby said. "I think I've had pretty good years before this one. The first 22 games (this season), I didn't shoot the ball too well because I had a messed-up hand. I was still out there trying to help the team, trying to do everything I can. To have one season where I shoot (poorly) ... and have everybody turn on me like that, it's kind of frustrating."
Bibby's first possible out is an early termination option for this offseason, but it's not his last option. He also has a player option after the 2007-08 season, at which time he would have to choose to seek a new deal in free agency or earn $14.5 million in the final season of his contract.
"You never want to leave a good situation," Bibby said. "I think this is a good situation for me and my family, being here. You always want to retire in a place you feel comfortable. But like I said, it's not really up to me. We'll see how it plays out."
Tough times hurting Bibby
The Kings veteran bristles at those who say his best days could be behind him.
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PST Saturday, February 10, 2007
His disappointment has spread, from his own play this season, to the fans and now all the way to the organization with which he so badly wants to finish his career.
If the 28-year-old Mike Bibby could, he'd hold a seminar to remind the masses of what he's done in the past, to ask that they remember that one rough season doesn't mean his career's over.
As the Kings point guard waits for his fate with the Feb. 22 trading deadline looming, he knows as much as anyone that his services have been put on the leaguewide table. Among the trade conversations -- according to three sources close to the team who didn't want to be identified because they were not authorized to speak -- were talks between the Kings and Cleveland as to what sort of deal would benefit both sides. Bibby has made clear his preference to stay in Sacramento and wishes the Kings shared the sentiment.
"It just shows what type of people you're dealing with, really," said Bibby, who is shooting a career-low 39.0 percent overall and just 30.5 percent from three-point range. "I just have to wait it out, to see if they're going to turn their back on me or whatever."
The new element is the apparent lack of mystery about Bibby's intentions. His agent, David Falk, told The Bee this week that Bibby is unlikely to opt out of his contract after this season. Thus, any Kings fears of losing Bibby for nothing in return should be quelled -- which may have been Falk's motivation in tipping his hand at a time when agents typically go dark. A trade at this point would, to a certain extent, make it clear that the Kings simply wanted to head in another direction.
Or, of course, Bibby could go nowhere and begin the process of resolving bruised feelings while earning $13.5 million next season.
The realm of the unknown, then, squarely lies on the side of the Kings. Meanwhile, Bibby and his family and friends are no different than fans, hearing trade chatter with his name attached and wondering if they'll all be uprooted. They are unlikely to hear of the real possibilities until something is close to happening, or perhaps even after it's done and the moving vans need to be called.
Bibby's contention, though, is that the faithful turned too fast. Even after the glory days with Chris Webber and Vlade Divac faded in the rearview mirror, Bibby led the team in scoring last season. He had to make major adjustments in the late playoff push, when the Kings' offense became post-heavy, while Ron Artest was being deified for the turnaround.
Entering this season, Kings director of player personnel Jerry Reynolds set what seemed to be an accurate tone when he predicted Bibby's finest season yet. Four months later, Bibby says he's become the scapegoat of sorts.
More than once, he has expressed displeasure with the occasional booing at Arco Arena, only to spark more ire from fans who say they have every right to be down on the current product. And now, it's the organization that Bibby says he doesn't understand.
"If (the Kings) are willing to give up on me after one bad shooting year, then that's the way they are," Bibby said. "I think I've had pretty good years before this one. The first 22 games (this season), I didn't shoot the ball too well because I had a messed-up hand. I was still out there trying to help the team, trying to do everything I can. To have one season where I shoot (poorly) ... and have everybody turn on me like that, it's kind of frustrating."
Bibby's first possible out is an early termination option for this offseason, but it's not his last option. He also has a player option after the 2007-08 season, at which time he would have to choose to seek a new deal in free agency or earn $14.5 million in the final season of his contract.
"You never want to leave a good situation," Bibby said. "I think this is a good situation for me and my family, being here. You always want to retire in a place you feel comfortable. But like I said, it's not really up to me. We'll see how it plays out."
