http://www.sacbee.com/351/story/96182.html
Marty Mac's World: Artest and Bibby need to take over -- together
By Martin McNeal -
Last Updated 6:27 am PST Thursday, December 21, 2006
It's not necessary for the Kings to be Ron Artest's team or Mike Bibby's team.
As a matter of fact, since Bibby is shooting 35.7 percent from the field and Artest 38.9 percent, neither one of these cats is ready to handle all of that.
They've been limited throughout the season's first 23 games by injuries as well as their respective wills to win. It seems as if neither has been able to recognize how badly they need each other to succeed.
If Christmas were to bring presents to both, good health -- physical and mental -- should be resting under their trees. Oh, and it wouldn't be bad for each to find an offensive system that maximizes their strengths. Of course, there's no system in the world that makes a player's shots find the nets, and that's where Bibby and Artest must handle their respective business.
Both players are renowned for taking and making shots in the gym during times when others are asleep. The inability to get those extra shots up most likely are because of their injury problems.
Perhaps the most difficult meal to digest during this early season has been Bibby's inability to make shots. The guy came into training camp 15 pounds lighter and making open shots, especially from beyond the three-point line. He appeared quicker, more capable of and committed to staying in front of his man.
Then he injured his right hand and wrist during an exhibition game in Reno and, frankly, hasn't been the same. Bibby said this week his wrist is much improved but still gets stiff at times. For Bibby, the inability to snap his wrist on his jumper consistently is akin to Artest being unable to defend aggressively because of an aching back.
That's what they do.
Bibby says a lot of the Kings' 10-13 record is a result of his poor play.
"I'm sure my shot is going to be coming around," said Bibby, a career 44.6 percent field-goal shooter entering the season. "Shooting is muscle memory, and mine has been off because I wasn't able to snap my wrist. It's coming back, but it's still not quite there. I'll be all right. We have struggled as a team, and I'll put that blame on me. I feel like if I was doing better, the team would be doing better.
"I've just got to get used to snapping my wrist again, and for me, snapping is everything."
Bibby said he has been playing as hard as he can and always will. Injuries never are an excuse Bibby will use despite the fact that he says, "If there is a body part, I've probably had treatment on it already."
But shooting 25.6 percent from three-point range is unacceptable, and he knows it. Just Monday night, Bibby passed up a wide-open three-point shot to pass to John Salmons for a wide-open three. No disrespect to Salmons, but that's not supposed to happen.
Whether Bibby was attempting to promote team play or whatever, his decision to pass up that shot was a direct indictment of his confidence level.
Moreover, it might have been the result of increased sensitivity. Bibby says he always hears murmurs from the crowd, especially on the road.
"It's different, though, when you hear it at home," said Bibby, whose field-goal percentage has fallen in each of the past three seasons following a career-high 47 percent in 2002-03. "You don't expect to hear it at home, and it hurts a little bit. But you take the good with the bad."
About the writer: The Bee's Martin McNeal can be reached at mmcneal@sacbee.com.
Marty Mac's World: Artest and Bibby need to take over -- together
By Martin McNeal -
Last Updated 6:27 am PST Thursday, December 21, 2006
It's not necessary for the Kings to be Ron Artest's team or Mike Bibby's team.
As a matter of fact, since Bibby is shooting 35.7 percent from the field and Artest 38.9 percent, neither one of these cats is ready to handle all of that.
They've been limited throughout the season's first 23 games by injuries as well as their respective wills to win. It seems as if neither has been able to recognize how badly they need each other to succeed.
If Christmas were to bring presents to both, good health -- physical and mental -- should be resting under their trees. Oh, and it wouldn't be bad for each to find an offensive system that maximizes their strengths. Of course, there's no system in the world that makes a player's shots find the nets, and that's where Bibby and Artest must handle their respective business.
Both players are renowned for taking and making shots in the gym during times when others are asleep. The inability to get those extra shots up most likely are because of their injury problems.
Perhaps the most difficult meal to digest during this early season has been Bibby's inability to make shots. The guy came into training camp 15 pounds lighter and making open shots, especially from beyond the three-point line. He appeared quicker, more capable of and committed to staying in front of his man.
Then he injured his right hand and wrist during an exhibition game in Reno and, frankly, hasn't been the same. Bibby said this week his wrist is much improved but still gets stiff at times. For Bibby, the inability to snap his wrist on his jumper consistently is akin to Artest being unable to defend aggressively because of an aching back.
That's what they do.
Bibby says a lot of the Kings' 10-13 record is a result of his poor play.
"I'm sure my shot is going to be coming around," said Bibby, a career 44.6 percent field-goal shooter entering the season. "Shooting is muscle memory, and mine has been off because I wasn't able to snap my wrist. It's coming back, but it's still not quite there. I'll be all right. We have struggled as a team, and I'll put that blame on me. I feel like if I was doing better, the team would be doing better.
"I've just got to get used to snapping my wrist again, and for me, snapping is everything."
Bibby said he has been playing as hard as he can and always will. Injuries never are an excuse Bibby will use despite the fact that he says, "If there is a body part, I've probably had treatment on it already."
But shooting 25.6 percent from three-point range is unacceptable, and he knows it. Just Monday night, Bibby passed up a wide-open three-point shot to pass to John Salmons for a wide-open three. No disrespect to Salmons, but that's not supposed to happen.
Whether Bibby was attempting to promote team play or whatever, his decision to pass up that shot was a direct indictment of his confidence level.
Moreover, it might have been the result of increased sensitivity. Bibby says he always hears murmurs from the crowd, especially on the road.
"It's different, though, when you hear it at home," said Bibby, whose field-goal percentage has fallen in each of the past three seasons following a career-high 47 percent in 2002-03. "You don't expect to hear it at home, and it hurts a little bit. But you take the good with the bad."
About the writer: The Bee's Martin McNeal can be reached at mmcneal@sacbee.com.
