It's bye-bye Bibby
The point guard, a cornerstone in the team's glory years, was not
surprised to be traded Saturday.
By Martin McNeal - mmcneal at sacbee.com
Last Updated 12:17 am PST Sunday, February 17, 2008
Story appeared in S****TS section, Page C5
http://www.sacbee.com/351/story/718744.html
It happened to Chris Webber, Peja Stojakovic and Doug Christie, and
now it has happened to Mike Bibby.
The Kings traded Bibby, the last of the team's stars from its glory
years, to Atlanta on Saturday for guards Anthony Johnson and Tyronn
Lue, forward-center Lorenzen Wright, forward Shelden Williams and the
Hawks' 2008 second-round draft choice.
The Kings waived center Justin Williams and guard Dahntay Jones to
make room for the new players.
The reasons behind the deal for the Kings and the Hawks are clear and
different. Atlanta is a young team attempting to reach the playoffs
for the first time since 1998-99. Sacramento, meanwhile, is trying to
clear salary cap space to become a player in the free-agent market as
well as increase its ability to make trades. Three of the players
acquired by the Kings have expiring contracts. Williams has one year
remaining on his contract at $3,395,760 with a team option in 2009-10.
Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie noted that the team did not
just acquire expiring contracts.
"We wanted to try and keep the team moving forward, and it's a chance
for us to look at a young frontcourt player," Petrie said of the 6-
foot-9, 250-pound Williams, the fifth pick of the 2006 NBA draft.
Bibby said he was a bit surprised to hear Atlanta was the destination
but not that he was traded.
"I had some good times here in Sacramento," said Bibby, one of the
league's better clutch shooters. "Sometimes you need a change, and you
never know where that might take you. I just prayed and asked for what
might be the best for my family, and this is what happened, so you
can't question it.
"I'll always have love for the people in Sacramento, the Maloofs and
Geoff."
Bibby and Petrie ran into each other at the Kings' practice facility
shortly after the deal received league approval.
Petrie acquired Bibby in a 2001 trade that sent Jason Williams to the
Grizzlies .
"I think when times like these come around and you have to trade
someone with whom you've had a significant relation****p for a long
time," Petrie said, "there is a level of nostalgia that goes along
with that. Mike was a particularly strong contributor to our efforts
here."
Bibby said he also spoke to the Maloofs and thanked them for
sup****ting him over the years.
"I got traded," he said, "but we left on good terms."
Said Petrie: "We talked, and I think we both felt we had a terrific
run. I know we appreciated what he did, and he said he felt the same
about what we did with regards with him."
The Kings not only acquired Bibby from the Grizzlies but eventually
signed him to his current seven-year, $80 million deal.
Petrie also brought Johnson into the league when he made the College
of Charleston product the 40th overall pick of the 1997 draft. Former
Kings coach Eddie Jordan, now Wa****ngton's coach, gave Johnson the
op****tunity to run the Kings' offense 11 years ago. The 33-year-old
now has a chance to do it again.
"I haven't really watched (the Kings) too much this season because
Mike was out," said Johnson, who was in his third stint with the Hawks
and also has played for New Jersey, Orlando, Cleveland, Dallas and
Indiana.
Johnson said having moved aroundmakes this transaction easier to
handle.
"Whenever one door closes, another opens up, so I'm going to try and
take advantage of the op****tunity. I'm going to show up and hoop and
do the best I can."
Few people within each organization were willing to discuss the trade
talks, in light of a proposed deal between Dallas and New Jersey
earlier this week that was put on hold. The Mavericks and Nets would
exchange point guards Jason Kidd and Devin Harris as the central
figures. However, the trade has not received league approval because
of a contract situation involving Dallas swingman Devean George.
Bibby began packing even before the trade was finalized. He left
Saturday night for his home in Phoenix but planned to take his
physical in Los Angeles, where the Hawks play the Lakers on Tuesday.
He'll return to Sacramento on Wednesday, when the Hawks play the Kings
in their only visit this season to Arco Arena.
Bibby was a key figure in the Kings' run to the Western Conference
finals in 2002.
Sacramento lost to the Lakers in overtime in the deciding seventh game
at Arco Arena.
Los Angeles then swept New Jersey in four games for the NBA title.
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