What's the matter with Bibby?

[HaraWish]

I watched four preseason games - vs. Warriors, vs. Nuggets, vs. Blazers, vs. Suns (previous one) - and I thought "what's the matter with Bibby?" I didn't watch the tonight game yet, but read your thread, and found the problem with Bibby.

I think his leading is still not bad, actually it's good, though it's worse than last year. His court vision and passing look still good.

Shooting? yes, I'm afraid of his missing shots a little. But, I'm not worrying about his shooting so much, because sometimes the player lost his rhythm and missed his shots. That always happens in NBA.

Defense? YES. I'm worrying about that a lot. He was not a good defender, but was not a HOLE. In previous games, however, he often lost his matchup and needs help-defense from teammates. Baron Davis and Steve Nash are TOP PGs, but how about Andre Miller, Earl Watson? (IMHO, the only opponent he dominates is Telfair, who is sophomore. )

When the opponent teams set a screen for thier PGs, Bibby never break through thier screens, and the opponent PG got complete open shots, and made it. I don't expect Bibby to defend the penetration, but it's very sad for the opponents' PGs to get a easy open shot by a simple screen.

I think he got slower than last year. IMHO, that's the problem. When the Nuggets did full-court press, I was surprised. While their defense was terrific, but I expected for Bibby to break through that. But he couldn't. (Of course, later in that game, he found the answer, but I think it's late for him.) Something had to happen to his quickness.

I don't want say bad words to Bibby. Actually I love Bibby so much. And I think he's the most important factor to the team's success. I'm just worried and curious about his condition. Thanks for reading.

 

[quick dog]

I just wrote this in another thread, but it belongs here.

I think that defensive expectations, if not demands, heaped on Bibby by the coaches and owners has gotten into Bibby's head. I think that he is frustrated by his lack of physical quickness, speed, and agility. His poor defensive skills have been placed center-stage, and I believe that the pressure has thrown-off his usually sterling offensive game. He can't defend, and everyone associated with the organization knows it. Other teams are focusing on Bibby's defensive weaknesses.

 

[SacTownKid]

Bibby also has a sore foot apparently according to the Bee. X-rays came back negative so I don't know what kind of problem this presents.

 

[Rockmeister]

Bibby also has a sore foot apparently according to the Bee. X-rays came back negative so I don't know what kind of problem this presents.

Sore foot or not, Bibby is terrible when it comes to playing defense.

 

[SacTownKid]

Yeah, but lately he has been worse in his offense than his defense.

 

[twocents]

could be simply because he sees himself as "i play only when it matters" type of player and does not give squat about the preseason games. could be more.

 

[ParniValjak]

He is in a form slump that it. He is not as effective without Webber, who he fed off more than people realise. Defences focus on him more now than they ever did.

He will find it tough this year and as a result his numbers will not be as good as last year. He is still a VERY good player on the offensive end. He will come good. He needs to find his shot and once he does that he will be back to his old self.

If you are expecting miracles on the defensive end, be prepared for disapointment. He will never make a very good defender no matter how hard he tries.

Mike is still quality.

 

[chelle]

I am still expecting GREAT things from Bibby this year. The preseason IN NO WAY is a predictor of how our veteran players are going to perform throughout the year. It can give us an idea of team dynamics, but that may be just about it.
If I was not in Basketball withdrawals, I would not even pay attention to the preseason.

IT IS WAY TOO EARLY FOR PEOPLE TO START BASHING THE PLAYERS OR THE TEAM. (I am NOT referring to every post in this thread.) I agree that Bibby has issues to work out, but I am not overly concerned. I am confident that he will get the wrinkles ironed out soon. He is STILL among the elite at what he does.

We all knew coming into this season that it was going to be a bumpy ride. Just hold on.

 

[HaraWish]

I agree. And I think this is just preseason. So I don't worry about Peja's missing shots, because he looks very good - I mean, his move looks quick and good without the ball. Peja looks good except just shooting. So I don't worry about Peja.

But Bibby... As I said above, I don't worry about Bibby's shooting. Every player can have his slump for shooting. I just worry about his condition. Bibby doesn't look so good in terms of his physical condtion. For example, in last year, he was, of course, not one of the fastest PGs, however he was not so slow neither, I mean his speed is just normal and he has no problem with defensing other PGs except some elite PGs. But, in preseason, he looks slow. As I mentioned, he has a problem even with a simple screen or swithching. IMHO, that means his condition is not good as last year. That's my woe.

Wake up Bibby, we need really need you.

 

[Ryle]

He is in a form slump that it. He is not as effective without Webber, who he fed off more than people realise. Defences focus on him more now than they ever did.

Um, after Webb was traded last year Bibby put up the best numbers of his career and played pretty inspired. He just looks like crap out there this year and it's just painful to watch him get beat off the ball every single game.

 

[Variant]

So far, his shooting slump isn't any worse than what I've seen him go through at various points in each of the last few seasons.

Not worried yet.

 

[Diabeticwonder]

Mike looks bigger than last year. He can't defend to save his life and the entire league knows it and you pressure him from baseline to baseline and he struggles to get the team into the flow of the offense. His defense and his inability to beat presses are not new and the one constant has always been his shooting, which can only get better than it has been this preseason.

 

[Bricklayer]

Um, after Webb was traded last year Bibby put up the best numbers of his career and played pretty inspired. He just looks like crap out there this year and it's just painful to watch him get beat off the ball every single game.

I've seen that timeline mentioned before, but actually not true -- he put up the huge numbers in the last month BEFORE Webb was traded (Feb) -- 26.0pts 5.1ast 6.3reb on .494 shooting. After Webb was moved his shooting percentages crumbled -- 19.9pts 3.4rebs 7.8ast on .403 shooting.

Thing with Mike is he needs a big man to play the two man game with. Webb was perfect for that role, and we all saw how potent that duo could be back in the WCF. Without Webb, and then without Brad for the last 1/3 of the season, the basic structure of Mike's game was broken down a bit. He is NOT Steve Nash, does not have amazing quickness, spectacular ballhandling etc. He's a shooter and smart pick and roll PG. The two guys on the current Kings team he can run his offense through are Shareef, and to a lesser degree, Brad. But both guys have been largely absent preseason, and have rarely had the ball in their hands even when on court.

Now all of that said, regardless of preferences and tendencies, Mike has pretty much just sucked this preseason. Think it goes beyond having a legit big to work with -- he just looks horribly uncomfortable out there. Kind of odd because I thought as the guy with the ball in his hands he would be most immune to the inevitable early chaos, but the opposite seems true. The team is not a team right now, and Mike is both contributing to that and being thrown for a loop by it. He thrives on structure I think.

 

[ONEZERO]

This is ridiculous. Can't we at least wait til' december to have this thread? Damn!

 

[piksi]

This is ridiculous. Can't we at least wait til' december to have this thread? Damn!

While his ofense will be fine eventually - his defense will continue to suck. That will never change which is unfortunately for the Kings

 

[Yoda]

While his ofense will be fine eventually - his defense will continue to suck. That will never change which is unfortunately for the Kings

Booooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[mr. moustache]

For about a month. You saw what happened later. If anyone has Bibby with Webber vs Bibby without stats, I'd be interested in seeing them.

Um, after Webb was traded last year Bibby put up the best numbers of his career and played pretty inspired. He just looks like crap out there this year and it's just painful to watch him get beat off the ball every single game.

 

[Bricklayer]

For about a month. You saw what happened later. If anyone has Bibby with Webber vs Bibby without stats, I'd be interested in seeing them.

Snuck those into the longer post above:

I've seen that timeline mentioned before, but actually not true -- he put up the huge numbers in the last month BEFORE Webb was traded (Feb) -- 26.0pts 5.1ast 6.3reb on .494 shooting. After Webb was moved his shooting percentages crumbled -- 19.9pts 3.4rebs 7.8ast on .403 shooting.

Think it was exaggerated though because a)this time there was no Vlade or even Brad to fall back on as a second option; and b)the Webb trade broke the overall offensive scheme, and so it was our entire structure, not just the two man game that was in flux and may have thrown Mike off.

 

[VF21]

I am still expecting GREAT things from Bibby this year. The preseason IN NO WAY is a predictor of how our veteran players are going to perform throughout the year. It can give us an idea of team dynamics, but that may be just about it.
If I was not in Basketball withdrawals, I would not even pay attention to the preseason.

IT IS WAY TOO EARLY FOR PEOPLE TO START BASHING THE PLAYERS OR THE TEAM. (I am NOT referring to every post in this thread.) I agree that Bibby has issues to work out, but I am not overly concerned. I am confident that he will get the wrinkles ironed out soon. He is STILL among the elite at what he does.

We all knew coming into this season that it was going to be a bumpy ride. Just hold on.

Excellent points.

I cannot for the life of me understand what it is that seems to make it mandatory for some people to find someone on the team to bash, to villefy, to blame for every little thing that goes wrong. But, sadly enough, it happens almost every single year. Even when things are going well, some will find a reason to attack one of our own.

Vlade bore the brunt for a while. So did Doug. Webber, of course, could well be the permanent poster boy for unrelenting attacks. Peja got his share... and, if early results are any indication, this may be the year Bibby has to be the face on the dart board.

 

[Padrino]

if early results are any indication, this may be the year Bibby has to be the face on the dart board.

this is a likely possibility. i have no doubt the media (sacramento and others) will first pin their hopes on the bonzi wells explosion factor. but if bonzi behaves, if peja actually shows up, and if shareef produces (all of which are up in the air at this point), it will probably be bibby who receives the brunt of the criticism.

but i think the entire team is gonna be under the magnifying glass this season, moreso than the last couple. there's too many factors that can be attributed to either a very successful upcoming kings season or another dissapointing one. we'll just have to stay tuned.

 

[piksi]

Booooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Whatever

 

[piksi]

Peja got his share... and, if early results are any indication, this may be the year Bibby has to be the face on the dart board.

Pedja's share might not be over yet

Bibby's will not stop until (if ever) he starts playing something that resambles defense

 

[VF21]

I disagree, piksi... There's a difference between criticism and bashing. The criticisms of Peja and Bibby are legitimate; the bashing isn't.

 

[HndsmCelt]

News flash folks: Bibby has a shooting slump or two EVERY season (most scorers do) Be gratefull his is in PRESEASON play not the play offs. I anyone really worried that Mike Bibby has lost his shot never to return again?

 

[Wuster]

Excellent points.

I cannot for the life of me understand what it is that seems to make it mandatory for some people to find someone on the team to bash, to villefy, to blame for every little thing that goes wrong. But, sadly enough, it happens almost every single year. Even when things are going well, some will find a reason to attack one of our own.

Vlade bore the brunt for a while. So did Doug. Webber, of course, could well be the permanent poster boy for unrelenting attacks. Peja got his share... and, if early results are any indication, this may be the year Bibby has to be the face on the dart board.

Well, VF... IMHO, the game itself and in particular the King's brand of it, is a whole-team sport. If the engine is running well, efficiently, firing on all cylinders... I think it is much less likely for one or more players to be lightning rods for vilification/criticism. If one cylinder misfires it disrupts the function of the whole engine. And it Bibby's case, being PG, misfiring definitely has a pervasive effect on the ability of the entire team to perform at its best. Not to mention that human nature loves finger pointing and self-absolution... that certainly comes into play as well.

 

[VF21]

While I agree in general with your entire comment, I would make one revision:

"If one cylinder misfires OR IS PERCEIVED TO MISFIRE it disrupts the function of the whole engine, at least in the eyes of the fans who may not actually know the real reason for the disruption."

 

[Yoda]

Whatever

Im just writing what I think everytime you write one of those repetitious digs on Bibby. Its like you think we all have forgotten what you wqrote in your previous 50 post. We get it Piksi doesnt like Bibby's D. You probably can move on, we have heard you. So, to the comment you will make about Bibby's bad D in your next post, I say, "Boooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

 

[Kings113]

News flash folks: Bibby has a shooting slump or two EVERY season (most scorers do) Be gratefull his is in PRESEASON play not the play offs.

Agreed.

I anyone really worried that Mike Bibby has lost his shot never to return again?

Not me. Like I said earlier this week or so, Bibby isn't out of a sudden going to start averaging 9-10 PPG, unless he puts a really huge focus on playmaking (which I wouldn't mind, but that average would be a bit higher in that case).

 

[kennadog]

Last night Jerry R was commenting on how uncomfortable Mike's shot looked. Said it looked "tight." Jerry went on to talk about how much Bibby appears to have bulked up in the upper body and said that may be causing the problem. Said his body doesn't look like a point guard's body. Said there is "good" working out and "bad" working out and that being that bulked up could not only be affecting his shot, but could also take away quickness. Just thought I'd add those comments to the discussion.

 

[ParniValjak]

Um, after Webb was traded last year Bibby put up the best numbers of his career and played pretty inspired. He just looks like crap out there this year and it's just painful to watch him get beat off the ball every single game.

He put up a superstar numbers for a while but then he just stopped and struggled through the later games of the season and the play-offs. He had that purple patch where he was putting superstar like numbers.

His shooting pecentage went down after that because he had no one to feed off. The opposition coaches focused on him because they knew he was our man and they spent more time trying to shut him down than they did in the past. The figured out his moves and are more alert to defending him.

Bibby is a classic case of PG who needs a big man to feed off in order for him to be the most effective he can be. Its different doing it for 4-5 games and doing it for entire season.