On Bibbys return
On Bibbys return
Hey guys, I just checked the forum after posting earlier and it seems like guys have already responded on information regarding Bibbys return. I like to read alot of the local newspapers online to get information on specific teams.
Even with his play limited, the return of their floor leader can inspire a team.Here is what I read in the Sacramento Bee:
Bibby's absolute decision: He plays
He proclaims himself healed from foot surgery; in his mind, he should start tonight
By Martin McNeal -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 a.m. PST Thursday, December 19, 2002
Mike Bibby appreciated it all Wednesday morning -- the bumping, the running, the sweating and feeling good enough to say those words after practice was over.
"I'm starting (tonight)," he said. "That's all you need to know."
Bibby hadn't convinced coach Rick Adelman, the man who turned one of Bibby's leg tattoos into a lie.
"Only God can judge me," reads the tattoo.
Before Bibby joins his teammates on the floor tonight against the San Antonio Spurs, he'll have to get through Adelman.
"Mike may say he's coming back, but he's still got to get (onto) the floor," Adelman joked after Tuesday night's 95-86 win over Phoenix.
Bibby was visibly pleased by his performance in his first practice since undergoing surgery Oct. 12 to correct a stress fracture in the fifth metatarsal bone on his right foot.
"It was good," Bibby said. "I got a little winded, but that will come in time. I think I was favoring it a little bit, but this is the first day I had contact in a full practice. It's not like I'm limping or anything."
Adelman was impressed.
"He went the whole scrimmage," Adelman said. "He went through all the drills, and he moved well. His conditioning seemed to be OK. I mean, it was real positive.
"I'll probably see how he feels, but I haven't talked to him yet. I would think he'd probably play (tonight) unless there is soreness or something, and that means we would probably hold him out. I'm sure he's going to probably be rusty, but he certainly moved fine and I didn't see any problems at all."
Before Bibby can be activated from the injured list, a roster move must be made. The Kings can put another player on the injured list or release somebody. Adelman said a decision had not been made.
The coach said he put Doug Christie, Vlade Divac, Chris Webber and Bobby Jackson on the bench during portions of Wednesday's scrimmage. Jackson missed Sunday's game against New Orleans with a sprained ankle.
"I wanted to give some of the other guys a longer run and with Bobby's foot," Adelman said. "It was a perfect opportunity to let Mike stay out there and run."
Webber was on the floor at the end of the scrimmage, and he and Bibby consistently worked the pick-and-roll, a staple of the team's offense. They said they spent time attempting to perfect that facet last season.
"We just ran full court," Bibby said. "Five-on-five and ran a lot of screen and rolls to get back into the flow of things."
He said it's been difficult to watch, and he's had more than enough of that.
"I'm anxious to get back on the court, but I've been like that since the first day," he said. "It's been fun to watch, especially since we were doing good, but I want to be a part of it."
So much so Bibby said he was going out to dinner Wednesday and then heading back to the gym to work out. But that's nothing new. He has been putting in double workouts the past few weeks.
Even if Bibby plays, there will be some watchful eyes.
"I have to figure out what is best for him, and the team, as far as getting the flow going," Adelman said. "I think the important thing once he starts playing is that he's real honest. It may not even be his foot. He might be sore in other areas once he starts getting out on the floor. The way Mike plays, it's easier for him to (come back), he plays so easy. I think he's going to be fine."
Adelman was asked if Bibby, a noted gym rat, can be trusted to be truthful and forthcoming.
"I think so," he said. "He knows we need him out there long term, not just short term. I think we'll be able to tell when he's playing as to how he's moving and what his wind is like."
Assistant coach Terry Porter was involved in a spirited one-on-one battle with Bibby, Mateen Cleaves and Gerald Wallace on Tuesday night. Porter said Bibby moved well then and again during Wednesday's practice.
"I thought (the one-on-one) would be good to start doing before games," said the coach, who has played against Bibby since he entered the league in 1999.
"Mike hadn't had the OK to practice, but he could shoot. And I thought the one-on-one would be good for him. And obviously, Mateen, myself and Gerald just were having a little fun with it.
"He moved well in practice, and it's been awhile since I've seen him play. ... since training camp. And I think the important thing for Rick was to see what kind of wind (Bibby) had. But he did the things he normally does."
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