"Jason Kidd with a jumpshot" - A scouting report on Mike Bibby in 1998
Prospects getting ready to enter the NBA are often compared to stars of the Association in order for fans to learn about their game. Often, that can be a good indicator of what certain young players could become in the league, but more often than not, it puts a burden of heavy pressure on them.
One talented individual in that situation was Mike Bibby, as the talented point guard was labeled a better version of Jason Kidd.
"Around Tucson, they call him, 'Jason Kidd with a jump shot', but that's just isn't fair. Bibby could probably beat Kidd in a footrace running backwards. On a team filled with amazing guards, the youngest one truly stands out," a SLAM Magazine report from 1998 wrote.
NCAA standout
Well, getting compared to an all-time great like J-Kidd, who could do everything on the court but with an even better jump shot, was no small expectation to surprise. But Bibby was so spectacular at Arkansas that scouts and reporters simply fell in love with his game.
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"...simply displaying more talent and cojones than anybody else at his position. He played big, bigger and biggest when knee-knocking time came around," the report praised Bibby.
In his two seasons with the Wildcats, Mike averaged 15.5 ppg, 5.5 apg, and 3.1 rpg on 45.6% from the field and 39.0% from downtown. The 6'1'' point guard would lead his University to the National Championship in the 1996-97 season as a freshman and the Elite Eight the following year. The mix of blinding quickness, scoring ability, and toughness made Bibby one of the most sought-after prospects, as he decided to declare for the 1998 Draft.
Maybe a bit off, but Bib was still great
Bibby was selected with the 2nd pick by the Vancouver Grizzlies and looked at as a cornerstone for the new franchise. After three solid years in Canada, Mike moved on to Sacramento, where he would have some of the best years of his career.
In seven seasons with the Kings, Bib would average 17.6 ppg and 5.4 apg while making a couple of deep playoff runs, but ultimately just short of a championship. After the SAC stint, Bibby would move on to play for the Hawks, Heat, Wizards, and the Knicks before ultimately retiring in 2012 as a 33-year-old.
Although he was close a couple of times, Mike never made an All-Star team or earned a ring. Maybe he never became J-Kidd with a jumper, but Bibby was a problem in his prime.
