Alright the fiancée is in the next room… I have a confession to make… I have a man crush on Mike Bibby, okay let me clarify I have fantasy basketball man-crush. I am not attracted to his latte colored skin nor do I think his headband highlights the shape of his eyes. I just think that Bibby is a solid fantasy player. For the past three seasons, I have either drafted or traded for Mike Bibby in at least one of my fantasy basketball leagues. I can’t really pinpoint what started the infatuation.  Bibby is not a top five point guard. It could even be argued if Bibby is a top 10 point guard, heck, in our mock draft he was the 13th player taken that can be slotted in the PG spot!

Round 4, Pick 5: Mike Bibby, PG, Sacramento Kings

Let’s check out his numbers and what was written last year.

’05-‘06 GP 82– 21.1 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 5.4 apg, 1.0 spg, 0.1 bpg, 2.3 threes, 2.4 topg, 43.2 FG%, 84.9 FT%, 38.6 3PT%
’06-’07 GP 82 – 17.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 4.7 apg, 1.1 spg, 0.1 bpg, 2.1 threes, 2.4 topg, 40.4 FG%, 83.0 FT%, 36.0 3PT%

There was great hope among Bibby’s admirers that he would build on his success from ’05-’06. Bibby ranked fifth amongst PG-only eligible players in scoring and he ranked 20th in assists, just behind Toronto Raptors back-up Jose Calderon and ahead of part-time Memphis Grizzlies starter, Chucky Atkins.  His assist averages have been on the decline for the last three years and for the second season in a row Bibby demonstrated his range by hitting over two threes per game; last season sinking 2.1 threes/game. There were only five PGs who averaged over two threes made/game last year. Bibby like many at his positions do not put up the huge rebounding numbers. He is not a particularly talented thief, only averaging 1.1 steals/game.

Bibby has been fairly durable missing only two games in the last four seasons. Prior to last season, Bibby had lost some weight in hopes of helping his speed and stamina. There was a scare that he could have missed the first two weeks of the season due to a right thumb injury. He overcame the thumb injury and early in the season injured his right wrist, which affected his shot for most of last year’s campaign helping to contribute to his career worst FG% last season.

Mike Bibby’s role has changed with the Kings. No longer the kingpin for the Sacramento Kings’ offense, he was third on the team in scoring. The Kings offense may evolve further around Kevin Martin and Ron Artest, so Bibby could be the third option on offense. Rumors about Ron Artest’s trade have been easily dismissed by Kings’ management, however, Mike Bibby’s name has been constantly brought up. More recently Bibby has been linked with the Cleveland Cavaliers. How sweet would that be, Mike Bibby playing alongside LeBron James!

My infatuation with Bibby is bizarre like Britney Spears’ recent MTV Music Awards performance. Maybe it is the hope that a solid PG like Bibby could evolve into a stud PG. Maybe I should come to grips that Bibby’s numbers are solid and will never be spectacular. A big part of me hopes that Bibby gets traded to the Cavs so I can pick him again this year and feed the fantasy stalker in me!

Other Players on this Fantasy Team:

1.8. Amare Stoudemire, PF/C, Phoenix Suns
2.5. Rashard Lewis, SF, Orlando Magic
3.8. Tracy McGrady, SG/SF, Houston Rockets

Previous Picks this Round

4.1. Joe Johnson, PG/SG, Atlanta Hawks
4.2. Kevin Martin, SG, Sacramento Kings
4.3. Brandon Roy, PG/SG, Portland Trailblazers
4.4. Jason Richardson, SG, Charlotte Bobcats

Previous Round Selections
Round One Recap
Round Two Recap
Round Three Recap