Bibby prepares for Atlanta homecoming as member of Heat
Bibby prepares for Atlanta homecoming as member of Heat
Mike Bibby has already been back to Atlanta twice since the Hawks gave him away last month, grabbing clothes and other items from his house.
He'll be there for something else on Friday. where to buy cheap NBA Jerseys?ujersy is a good choice.
For the first time in four years - technically, one day shy of that four-year anniversary - Bibby will be in Atlanta as an opponent when his latest team, the Miami Heat, visit the Hawks. It'll be the 10th time in his career that Bibby will be on the visitors' side of the court in Atlanta, but this one will likely seem more significant in a number of ways.
"I've been thinking about it a lot," Bibby said. "I think it's going to be fun. Good to see some of the old friends. I was good friends with people on the team, people in the organization. So I think it should be a good homecoming."
Bibby's road to Miami started Feb. 23 when the Hawks traded him to Washington in part of a five-player deal, a move that caught the veteran point guard by some surprise.
He sought a buyout from the Wizards, and it came at a price: Bibby decided to forgo his entire salary for next season, just more than $6 million, to have the chance to join Miami and compete for a championship.
"Everybody's been making me feel comfortable off the court and that's the first place you've got to be," Bibby said. "When you come in to 12, 14, 15 new guys that you've got to get acclimated with, the easiest thing is when they come and make you feel like you've been here all season. I feel comfortable in that aspect. I just have to get comfortable on the court."
The Heat have asked Bibby to be a calming, veteran influence, and say they like what he's done in those capacities. He's appeared in eight games with Miami, averaging 5.8 points and connecting on 48 percent of his 3-point attempts.
"Mike's a veteran," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "He understands what it takes and understands why we brought him here."
Bibby acknowledged that Friday will be a special night that he's looking forward to seeing his former Hawks teammates, many of whom he's kept in contact with.
To him, the bigger priority for Miami is simply getting a win. The Heat are just 5-7 since the All-Star break.
"I'm just glad to be here and be a part of this," Bibby said. recommend directory: Derrick Rose #1 CHICAGO BULLS NBA Black Jersey Size 48.
Bibby was averaging 9.4 points and 3.6 points in Atlanta before switching zip codes a couple times. He was first traded to the Wizards for Hinrich. After two games, Washington bought out his contract, leaving Bibby free to join another team.
He began talks with agent David Falk about playing for a title-contender. Those discussions became reality when he officially signed with the Heat on March 3.
"You can just tell the guys on here have a winning mentality," Bibby said when he signed. "You need that in this league. We're all on the same team. I'm not coming here trying to do anything, take anybody's minutes or anything else. I'm just here to help the team win. We're all a team. We're all in this together."
Bibby said the only regret in the matter was the way the Hawks handled the trade. He felt there should have been more dialogue between both parties, but said it was time "to move on."
"I just felt that out of respect they could've told me that morning [of the trade]," Bibby said recently. " I saw everybody in the morning but I wasn't told until it happened. It's not a big deal, it happens in this league."
The Hawks haven't been exactly more fortunate with Bibby's replacement. Atlanta is just 5-6 since Hinrich joined the team. He is averaging 9.3 points and 2.3 assists, starting eight of 10 games he's been active.
Bibby and the Heat have seen similar results. The Heat are just 3-5 with Bibby in the lineup, including losing the first four games he was on the roster. Bibby has had his moments. He scored 17 points, making all five of his 3-point attempts, in a win against the Memphis Grizzlies on March 12.
He said comfort on the court remains the biggest issue, but has already developed chemistry in the locker room. It helps that teammates Eddie House is Bibby's brother-in-law. House is married to Bibby's sister.
"Everybody's going to feel comfortable off the court," Bibby said. "That's the first place you got to be as far as when you come in with 12, 14 or 15 new guys you've got to get acclimated with. The easiest thing is when they come in and make you feel like you've been here all season." recommend directory: JORDAN #23 Chicago Bulls Red NBA Jersey.
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