http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/14240824p-15060476c.html
Kings notes: Bibby stops in for a look at what might have been
He thought he was going to be drafted by the Clippers in 1998.
By Joe Davidson -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PDT Saturday, April 8, 2006
LOS ANGELES - Mike Bibby could have been employed here.
A Clipper, in Los Angeles.
And he thought this was the master plan coming out of Arizona as a steady ballhandling point guard with poise and a reliable shot.
This was 1998. Bibby's stock soared as a freshman when he steered the Wildcats to their only NCAA championship, and he was on everyone's draft board - high, at the top - the following season.
"I thought it was the Clippers who'd take me," said Bibby, the Kings guard, before taking on the Clippers on Friday night at Staples Center. "They were the only team to work me out. They had the No. 1 pick. I had a good workout with them, and no one else worked me out because I guess they thought I'd go No. 1. I figured it was my next stop."
As irony would have it, the 1998 draft was held in Vancouver, British Columbia. But NBA Commissioner David Stern didn't call Bibby's name first at the podium. He called Michael Olowokandi. It didn't come as a major shock to Bibby, he said, because by then he'd been tipped off by Vancouver Grizzlies management that he'd fall to No. 2, into their hands.
Olowokandi sputtered with the Clippers, Bibby flourished amid a sea of losses and then saw his career take off when he was acquired by the Kings in 2001.
"You're disappointed that you don't go No. 1," Bibby said. "But you keep playing. It worked out fine."
K-Mart's (growing) pains - When you talk about Kevin Martin and the growing pains, one can take it literally.
The second-year guard has had a breakout season, and now he's waiting to regain full health.
He's still rubbing out that nasty deep-thigh bruise that makes his leg look as if he tried to block a runaway boulder with his leg. He said he still experiences pain, but he's improving by the day.
Youth coach honored - The NBA and WNBA announced that Greg Nathanson of Sacramento was selected as one of the top youth basketball coaches selected from nearly 50,000 Junior NBA and Junior WNBA coaches in the United States, Canada and abroad.
The selection includes the impact of a coach, on and off the court, who stresses the Junior NBA STAR qualities - Sportsmanship, Teamwork, positive Attitude and Respect. Thirty-one coaches were selected, one representing each NBA city and one for Europe.
Book signing - Kings director of player personnel Jerry Reynolds will have a book signing for hot seller "Reynolds Remembers - 20 years with the Sacramento Kings" today at Borders at 4750 Natomas Blvd. It runs from 3-4:30 p.m.
About the writer: The Bee's Joe Davidson can be reached at jdavidson@sacbee.com.
Kings notes: Bibby stops in for a look at what might have been
He thought he was going to be drafted by the Clippers in 1998.
By Joe Davidson -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PDT Saturday, April 8, 2006
LOS ANGELES - Mike Bibby could have been employed here.
A Clipper, in Los Angeles.
And he thought this was the master plan coming out of Arizona as a steady ballhandling point guard with poise and a reliable shot.
This was 1998. Bibby's stock soared as a freshman when he steered the Wildcats to their only NCAA championship, and he was on everyone's draft board - high, at the top - the following season.
"I thought it was the Clippers who'd take me," said Bibby, the Kings guard, before taking on the Clippers on Friday night at Staples Center. "They were the only team to work me out. They had the No. 1 pick. I had a good workout with them, and no one else worked me out because I guess they thought I'd go No. 1. I figured it was my next stop."
As irony would have it, the 1998 draft was held in Vancouver, British Columbia. But NBA Commissioner David Stern didn't call Bibby's name first at the podium. He called Michael Olowokandi. It didn't come as a major shock to Bibby, he said, because by then he'd been tipped off by Vancouver Grizzlies management that he'd fall to No. 2, into their hands.
Olowokandi sputtered with the Clippers, Bibby flourished amid a sea of losses and then saw his career take off when he was acquired by the Kings in 2001.
"You're disappointed that you don't go No. 1," Bibby said. "But you keep playing. It worked out fine."
K-Mart's (growing) pains - When you talk about Kevin Martin and the growing pains, one can take it literally.
The second-year guard has had a breakout season, and now he's waiting to regain full health.
He's still rubbing out that nasty deep-thigh bruise that makes his leg look as if he tried to block a runaway boulder with his leg. He said he still experiences pain, but he's improving by the day.
Youth coach honored - The NBA and WNBA announced that Greg Nathanson of Sacramento was selected as one of the top youth basketball coaches selected from nearly 50,000 Junior NBA and Junior WNBA coaches in the United States, Canada and abroad.
The selection includes the impact of a coach, on and off the court, who stresses the Junior NBA STAR qualities - Sportsmanship, Teamwork, positive Attitude and Respect. Thirty-one coaches were selected, one representing each NBA city and one for Europe.
Book signing - Kings director of player personnel Jerry Reynolds will have a book signing for hot seller "Reynolds Remembers - 20 years with the Sacramento Kings" today at Borders at 4750 Natomas Blvd. It runs from 3-4:30 p.m.
About the writer: The Bee's Joe Davidson can be reached at jdavidson@sacbee.com.
