A brilliant mind on the basketball court, NBA legend, MIke Bibby played 14 years in the NBA with for the Vancouver Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings, Atlanta Hawks, Washington Wizard, Miami Heat and the New York Knicks,
The second overall pick in the 1998 NBA Draft, the point guard caught the world’s attention when he helped guide the Arizona Wildcats to a National Championship in 1997 with his efficiency and ability to dually distribute the ball and shoot at a high clip from the midrange and from downtown.
His caliber of play stayed high throughout his NBA career. Traded from the Grizzlies to the Kings in 2001, Bibby memorably formed cohesion alongside the trio of Chris Webber, Peja Stojakovic and Vlade Divac and in doing so guided the Kings to a 61-21 record and a Pacific Division title.
Bibby has fond memories of being teammates with Webber. The two had some classic duels with Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant’s Lakers out West especially in the 2002 Western Conference Finals where Bibby’s Game 5 game winner helped propel his reputation as a clutch shooter in the NBA.
Appearing on today’s episode of the Scoop B Radio Podcast, Bibby shared his thoughts on whether anyone in today’s has a set of skills that mirrored the former Michigan Wolverine. Bibby was complimentary of Webber. “It’s hard to compare anybody to Chris Webber,” he said.
“He was different. You know what I mean? He was a passive big man. He could score. He was an alpha dog on the team. I don’t think you can compare him. You can’t compare him to anybody.”
Today’s era of the NBA is predicated off of shooting at a high clip. Think Steph Curry, think Klay Thompson.
Peja Stojakovic was the epitome of shooting. An NBA Champion, the three time All-Star, he won the NBA’s Three-Point Shooting Contest during All Star Weekend three times. He also led the NBA in three-point field goals made during the 2003-2004 season.
Imagine a world where prime Peja played on the Warriors. Would he fit?
“Yes,” says Bibby.
“Because they play the way we used to play. Moving and stuff like that. But if you’re a shooter, you can play anywhere.”
Keeping it Sacramento Kings centered, the Kings added DeMar DeRozan to their roster via free agency this offseason. Prior to that, the Kings and the Wizards had discussed a trade scenario in which Kyle Kuzma would be shipped from our nation’s capital to the 916. Bibby shared why he didn’t think that Kuz in Sacramento would have worked. “I don’t know if that’s the right look for him,” he said.
“I think they’re missing a few pieces. They’re doing great with Sabonis and Fox. I love that they signed Malik back. I think they’re just missing one piece, but I think they’re right there.”
A trade shipped Bibby from the Kings to the Atlanta Hawks in 2008. During his three year tenure in ATL, Bibby’s leadership and unselfishness helped propel Atlanta to consecutive Playoff appearances.
Bibby still keeps his eyes on the Hawks and weighed in on the move that shipped former Hawk Dejounte Murray to the New Orleans Pelicans. Bibby thinks Murray to NOLA is a better fit for Murray. “I think it’s going to help them out a lot,” he said.
“I think that’s what they might have been missing in New Orleans. They might have been missing that. But I think Trey Young and Murray, I think were good together, but I think it’s two alpha males together. It’s been hard for them to work together. I think it’s going to be a good look for them over there.”
Bibby likes Murray and CJ McCollum playing together in the Pelicans lineup alongside the likes of Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson. “I love C. J. Mccollum’s game,” he said.
“It reminds me of how I used to play. He’s solid, hit the open jumper, pick and roll, he’s good at it. He plays smart. So I like them two together. I think they work good together.”
Bibby’s answers during our interview were quite concise. He sounds like a coach.
With experience coaching his son, Michael Jr, on the AAU level and serving as an assistant coach and head coach in the Phoenix, AZ area.
Million Dollar Question: Any interest in coaching, Mr. Bibby? “I’m ready to coach,” he said.
“The person that gets in is going to be really happy. I work hard, I work my ass off, and I want to see these kids do better and learn at the same time.”
In the meantime, Bibby’s still got his eye on the current game and another team that he played for: the New York Knicks. Bibby weighed in on the Knicks’ acquisition of Mikal Bridges via trade from the Brooklyn Nets. “He was great in Brooklyn,” he said.
“But he was the number one option in Brooklyn. When you come to a new team and you’re not the number one option no more, you have to see how guys are going to play out in that situation.”
Lastly, the Los Angeles Lakers drafted Bronny James in June’s NBA Draft. Bibby, a former Miami Heat teammate of Bronny’s father, LeBron James weighed in on the move.
“He did what he was supposed to do,” said Bibby of LeBron James.
“Everybody wants the best for their kids. It’s going to be good to see, but everybody wants the best for their son. I’m glad he got a chance to do it. A lot of people won’t get that chance. It’s going to be good to see.”
