| Hawks Swoop In, Land Bibby Authored by Patrick J. Austin - February 17, 2008 - 12:54 pm
The Hawks need a point guard. How many years have we heard this statement? Far too long. But now it appears the Hawks have filled that gaping hole in their nest; the backcourt solidified with the acquisition of Mike Bibby.
The Hawks landed Bibby in exchange for a quartet of backups in Lorenzon Wright, Shelden Williams, Tyronn Lue and Anthony Johnson along with a future second round pick.
Sure, Anthony Johnson was technically the team’s starting point guard, but he’d be a backup on almost every other team in the league, and if Speedy Claxton were healthy, A.J. probably wouldn’t have lucked into the starting spot in Hotlanta.
To say this is a good deal for the Hawks would be an understatement. This is a great deal, an amazing deal, a deal which can looked upon as one of Billy Knight’s finest moves.
A trade is always great for your side when you give up second unit players and get back a starter, especially a starting point guard; one of the hardest positions to fill in the Association.
Bibby provides virtually everything the Hawks need at the one spot. He’s a quality shooter, distributes the ball effectively and can’t be left unguarded. His presence will make things so much easier for Joe Johnson since opposing teams routinely left Anthony Johnson to double team J.J. With Bibby in the backcourt, teams won’t have that luxury.
Michael Gearon Jr., a Hawks co-owner, said the team's new backcourt “will be as good as any in the East.”
Gearon went on to say, “I think Bibby will be one of the top three point guards in the East,” according to Yahoo.com
When examining the current assemblage of Eastern guards, Gearon is correct. With the inevitable departure of Jason Kidd to the Western Conference, the best floor general in the East is Chauncey Billups. After him, who is better than Bibby?
Jameer Nelson? No. Rajon Rondo? No. Gilbert Arenas? Yeah, so he gets the no. 2 spot. After Arenas? I guess the Calderon/Ford combo in Toronto, but that’s an unfair comparison considering it’s two against one. Andre Miller? Maybe, but Miller’s inability to shoot the ball is a major drawback.
So it’s very fair to say Mike Bibby, when healthy, is a top-three point guard in the Eastern Conference.
Another important trait Bibby provides is experience. He’s come up big in crucial playoff games and has battled in the superior Western Conference for his entire career.
There’s no doubt the young guys on the Hawks will look to him as a leader; someone who’s been there and done that in terms of making a push for the postseason.
In an effort not to seem overjoyed and “drink the Kool-Aid”, there are some drawbacks to trading for Bibby. The biggest issue is health. Bibby missed a majority of this season with a wrist injury and he’s only played in 15 games averaging 13.5ppg (his lowest output since his rookie season) on 40.6 percent shooting, another career low.
The other big “detractor” is his contract; the primary reason Sacramento decided to move him for expiring deals. Bibby is making $15 million this season and nearly $17 million next season. That means more than half of the Hawks cap is devoted to Bibby and Johnson. This could play a factor in the off-season when deciding to re-sign Josh Smith and Josh Childress.
Of course, the counterargument to the contract issue is that in a year, Bibby will be a very attractive $17 million expiring contract the Hawks could use, if they’re so inclined, to land another high impact player (just look at what the Lakers got for a big expiring deal).
And credit must be given where credit is due: Billy Knight…great work. This was a brilliant move on your part. It took a lot guts to make this trade and you probably had to swallow your pride when dealing away Shelden Williams, one of your highly controversial lottery picks, so soon. But have no worries. If Bibby helps lead the Hawks to their first playoff appearance in a decade, all will be forgiven.
Well, not all. Every time Chris Paul is on ESPN, the urge to scream “fire Billy Knight!” is difficult to restrain.
But the most important aspect of this trade is not just getting a starting point guard; it’s the change in mindset from the organization. For so many years the Hawks were “sellers” at the trade deadline relinquishing productive vets for expiring contracts and draft picks. Finally, a sea change has taken place and the Hawks are the team looking for that one ready-to-produce vet to put them over the top. It sends the message to all Hawks fans that now is the time to make the playoffs; no more “wait until next year.”
To comment on this article, contact Patrick J. Austin at pja123@hotmail.com |
