Bibby red-faced as Kings fail to eliminate Lakers -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By BETH HARRIS AP Sports Writer LOS ANGELES — Mike Bibby's jumper was a dagger to the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5. He wasn't sharp enough to cut a path into the NBA Finals on Friday night for the Sacramento Kings. Bibby ended up red-faced after taking an elbow from Kobe Bryant in the closing seconds of the Kings' 106-102 loss that allowed the two-time defending champion Lakers to even the Western Conference finals after six games. Game 7 will be Sunday in Sacramento, where the Kings could advance to the Finals for the first time since 1951. But Bibby and his teammates will have to play better than they did Friday. Bibby's jumper with 8 seconds remaining gave the Kings a 92-91 victory Tuesday and a 3-2 series lead. This time, the Kings struggled early, hitting just three of their first 14 shots. Although the Kings used a 10-0 run to lead 56-51 at halftime, their big men got in foul trouble and Sacramento was forced to play catch-up in the game's final two minutes. Bibby and Chris Webber were no match for the Lakers' dynamic duo of Shaquille O'Neal and Bryant. Webber had 26 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists. Playing with a strained right triceps, Bibby had 23 points on 7-of-20 shooting. He was just 1-of-8 in the first half. O'Neal had 41 points and 17 rebounds and Bryant had 31 points and 11 rebounds. O'Neal was called for four fouls and Bryant three. The Kings were whistled for 31 fouls — seven more than the Lakers. Vlade Divac fouled out in the final three minutes. Webber played with five fouls and Hedo Turkoglu had four. Turkoglu scored inside to draw the Kings to 103-102 with 11.8 seconds left. That's when Bryant's right elbow collided with Bibby's nose. Bibby's head snapped back and he fell to the floor. He stayed in the game, after stuffing a tissue in his bloody nose. The Kings were called for a foul on the play and Bryant made both free throws for a 105-102 lead. Bibby then missed with Bryant in his face and Robert Horry grabbed the rebound for the Lakers. After Horry hit a free throw, Doug Christie missed on Sacramento's final shot. Bibby had 10 points in the third quarter when the Kings tied the game at 75 heading into the final 12 minutes. But he had just four points in the final quarter. At one point, Bibby, Divac and Turkoglu were on the bench with the Lakers ahead by five points.
Great find rocksolid. You started the whole Bibby thing, and you have really proven your point and have made it seem possible. I'll say this, if the pg Doc is talking about is indeed Bibby, I'll be the first to say "You da' Man!"
This was on realgm ------------------------------------------------------- The announcement that former Laker point guard Derek Fisher will be signing with the Golden State Warriors, sends a clear indication that a significant trade is imminent. Chris Mullin has been firm on his stance that the Warriors will not involve themselves in a courtesy sign and trade for the coveted center Erick Dampier and this massive log jam at the point guard likely means that a multi-player trade is in the works. Without a clear franchise player, no Warrior seems untouchable. A likely scenario will involve Nick Van Exel being packaged with Dampier, possibly back to Dallas, or to Memphis. Jason Richardson has also been rumored in several trade scenarios this summer, with the emergence of Pietrus. The next trade that Chris Mullin makes will clearly define the early stages of his career as an executive and expect it to happen soon. ------------------------------------------------------- Why is this significant? I'm going on the thin assumption that rocksolid is right about Doc's post in that we are going after Bibby. Maybe the team Dampier & Van Exel are going to is Sac. Maybe Webber goes to GS & Bibby comes here. I am probably completely far-fetched, but the evidence of rocksolid's guess is just too freaky.
Not only did you spell 'gullible' incorrectly, it should be "too gullible," and you missed an apostrophe in your "ya'll".
are yall smoking crack. Their is no way we will get bibby. THis had to be put in big letters. Wake UP!!!
Well, the Golden State fans are far from happy about the Fisher pickup. Funny post, there was an ESPN tidbit saying that Mullin beat out the Lakers, Heat, Rockets and Sonics for Fisher and a Warriors fan posted "Why couldn't they have beaten US out for him!" lol! My god that franchise is screwed up.
Speedy, it's got to be Speedy! I've been telling you guys in every point guard thread that's been started here that the Rockets should pursue Speedy, but hardly anybody else has even discussed him or considered him. I'll say it again....the guy was NAILS here in SA for the Spurs during their last championship run. So much so that Pop played him during the fourth quarters in crunch time over Parker because he took care of the offense and the ball for the Spurs better than Parker did. He wanted to start and knew he never would over a developing Parker so he took the Golden State offer, only to get screwed by GS shortly after when they traded for NVE. The contract would be great because it's reasonable and it buys time to find a permanent PG if he doesn't work out. I'm telling you guys, based on the time he spent here with the Spurs, it would be a great move if Speedy is the guy!
Seriously, if Bibby came here, I would **** all over myself... Bibby TMac JJ Howard/Taylor (Whichever remains a Rocket) Yao Thats about as solid of a starting 5 as you can get. Unbelievable. This is gonna be a sleepless night for me. Wont happen though.
we will not get speedy either. His 3 pt shot is non existent. And i dont think he is a real pg we are looking for.
wow same here....BIBBY lol I so wish..what would we give up for him...man lol Speedy Claxton sounds good too.. WOW lol. NVE maybe. Still Daniels maybe. I want another clue! Dman
Funny you say that SA Rocket because Golden State fans seem to think that Speedy is going to be the one traded with Fisher coming in.
Last I checked Speedy couldn't hit a three point shot if his life depended on it. Don't know if he's starter material.
