This could really hurt the Kings chances of landing the top seed in the West: http://www.nba.com/kings/news/BIBBY_TO_UNDERGO_SURGERY.html BIBBY TO UNDERGO SURGERY SACRAMENTO, CA ---- Sacramento Kings guard Mike Bibby suffered a stress fracture in the fifth metatarsal of his right foot during a team practice session earlier today (10/11). He is scheduled to undergo outpatient surgery tomorrow morning (10/12) at the UC Davis Medical Center. Team physician Dr. Richard Marder will perform the surgery. “In the short term, this is an unfortunate turn of events for Mike and our team, considering how well he has played during the first two weeks of training camp,” explained Kings President, Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie. “However, in the big picture it’s only a minor delay in Mike enjoying an outstanding season.”
Anyone remember how many games Webber missed at the start of last season? They had a great record without him. Guess Bobby Jackson will be putting in some Francis and Mobley type minutes. Current third string is Mateen Cleaves. Wasn't he part of a rescinded trade? I think they still have Brent Price available. PG by committee?
I expect them to go with Jackson as the starter until Bibby is back.Cleaves may not be fit.Yes Brent Price is still there but Turkoglu can also get some minutes as a point guard as well.
But all the Kings had to do was make up for Webber's rebounding and scoring, this is the guy who actually runs the show, a HUGE difference. It's like the difference between the Sonics at their best losing Payton instead of Kemp, or Nets losing Jason Kidd instead of Kenyon Martin. Kemp was a star, and Martin is a monster, but Kidd and Payton run the show. Think of it this way, Webber is the go to guy and dominates, but when he goes down it's somewhat easier to pick up the slack because the PG can get everybody involved. There's a reason why Bobby Jackson isn't starting for anybody.
So the drop off from Webber to Scott Pollard is less than the drop off from Bibby to Jackson? The Kings without Webber beat the Rockets on Nov. 19th of last season 113-77. Bibby had 10 points and 5 assists in 32 minutes. You are too heavily discounting the fact that ALL of the Kings rotation are excellent ball handlers and passers. The same isn't true for Kidds' Nets with Todd Mac (or Deke), Martin, and Van Horn. Your comparison is apples and oranges if you do not factor in the passing and ball handling abilities of the remaining players.
Bibby was OK, not great, during the regular season. Vlade and Webber also pile up the assists. But this will definitely put a hitch in the Kings' giddy-up.
This is a minor setback for the Kings, imo. They'll be without Bibby for the first 3-4 weeks of the season, which is what 10-15 games? Bobby Jackson is maybe the best backup PG in the game, and Vlade and Webber are the best passers at their respective positions in the league. The Kings should be fine, although it may affect their chances at homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs. The Lakers may be without Shaq for the first 5-10 games of the season, so it may balance out. We'll see how everything turns out.
