TTM Stats
- Sent: 3/25/2022 | Received: 4/22/2022 | 27 Days
- ’99 Upper Deck, ’01 Fleer Platinum, ’09 Fleer
- Address: Home (address from Sports Card Forum)
The Story of the Autograph
Mike Bibby, born on May 13, 1978, in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, was one of the most reliable and consistent point guards in the NBA during his 14-year professional career. Known for his clutch shooting, high basketball IQ, and leadership on the court, Bibby was an essential player for several NBA teams, particularly during his time with the Sacramento Kings. From his successful college days to his lengthy NBA career, Bibby’s impact on the game remains significant.
Basketball was in Mike Bibby’s blood. His father, Henry Bibby, was a former NBA player and coach who won three championships with the UCLA Bruins under the legendary John Wooden. Growing up in a basketball family, Mike developed his skills at a young age, attending Shadow Mountain High School in Phoenix, Arizona, where he quickly became a standout player. His performance in high school earned him a scholarship to the University of Arizona, where he would make an immediate impact.
Bibby’s college career at the University of Arizona was nothing short of spectacular. As a freshman, he led the Wildcats to the 1997 NCAA Championship, playing a critical role in their victory. Bibby was known for his poise and maturity, unusual for a young player. His ability to manage games, create opportunities for his teammates, and hit big shots made him a vital part of Arizona’s success. In his sophomore year, Bibby continued to shine, earning consensus All-American honors. After two seasons with the Wildcats, Bibby declared for the NBA Draft, leaving college basketball as one of the most highly regarded point guard prospects.
Bibby was selected by the Vancouver Grizzlies with the second overall pick in thefirst round of the 1998 NBA Draft. He quickly became the starting point guard for the team, where he averaged 13.2 points and 6.5 assists in his rookie season. Though the Grizzlies struggled as a team, Bibby showed flashes of brilliance and began to establish himself as one of the top young point guards in the league. After three seasons in Vancouver, Bibby’s career took a pivotal turn when he was traded to the Sacramento Kings in 2001. This move would elevate both Bibby’s career and the fortunes of the Kings franchise.
His time with the Sacramento Kings is what he is most remembered for. Joining a talented roster that included Chris Webber, Vlade Divac, and Peja Stojaković, Bibby became the final piece of a team that would challenge for the NBA title. His ability to run the offense and hit clutch shots made him indispensable.
The 2001-2002 season was the peak of Bibby’s career. He helped lead the Kings to the best record in the NBA and a deep playoff run that ended in a dramatic Western Conference Finals series against the Los Angeles Lakers. Bibby’s clutch performance in Game 5 of that series, where he hit the game-winning shot, cemented his reputation as one of the league’s most dependable players in pressure situations.
Bibby remained with the Kings for seven seasons, consistently delivering strong performances. He averaged double-digit points every season and was known for his excellent three-point shooting, basketball IQ, and leadership on the floor. Though Sacramento never won an NBA title during his tenure, Bibby’s contributions were pivotal to the franchise’s most successful years.
In 2008, Bibby was traded to the Atlanta Hawks, where he continued to play at a high level. His veteran presence and leadership helped guide the young. Bibby also had brief stints with the Washington Wizards, Miami Heat, and New York Knicks during the latter part of his career. In 2011, Bibby reached the NBA Finals with the Miami Heat, though they fell to the Dallas Mavericks. After the 2011-2012 season, Bibby’s playing career came to an end, but his impact on the game remained, especially for his contributions to the Kings during their early 2000s success.
Following his retirement, Mike Bibby turned to coaching, continuing his involvement in basketball. He became the head coach of his alma mater, Shadow Mountain High School. Bibby’s success as a coach reflected his deep understanding of the game and his ability to develop young talent. In addition to coaching, Bibby also played in the Big3 basketball league, a professional 3-on-3 league featuring former NBA players. His post-playing career highlights his continued passion for basketball and his desire to remain connected to the sport.
Mike Bibby’s legacy is defined by his steady leadership, clutch performances, and his role in transforming the Sacramento Kings into title contenders during the early 2000s. He was never the flashiest player, but his consistency, basketball intelligence, and ability to rise to the occasion when it mattered most made him one of the most respected point guards of his era. From his NCAA championship at Arizona to his years as one of the NBA’s most reliable point guards, Bibby’s contributions to the game are lasting. He will be remembered as a player who maximized his talent, elevated his teammates, and left a lasting mark on every team he played for.
This is my third successful return from him. To see the other successful returns, check out these posts:
The Score on Mike Bibby – 7.0
There are some players out there who for some reason don’t give you the impression that they would be a reliable signer. Mike was one of those guys for me, but it turns out he great to all of us TTMers. He’s signing pretty much everything I have ever sent to him and he does a pretty good job considering basketball cards aren’t always easy to sign. The best one of these is the Fleer Platinum card and I love that its of him in a Kings jersey which is really how I think of him.
Thanks Mr. Bibby! I’m giving this return a 7.
>>> READ MORE ABOUT MY AUTOGRAPH SCORING SYSTEM <<<
Thanks for visiting BravestarrCards.com: Card Collecting and TTM Autographs.
Information gathered using Wikipedia and Basketball Reference.