Arizona Desert Swarm, an Arizona Wildcats community

Last year, yeah, I burnt guys. I have to try and play Joe differently this year. I look at the Lakers and what they did by getting Ron Artest, and all I can think is that Kobe is going to be a beast this year because he won't have to guard the other team's best player this year. Artest can handle that. Somehow I have to relieve Joe of having to guard point guards. And in that regard hopefully we'll be able to shrink not only his minutes but everybody's minutes and make sure they remain productive and they don't lose anything.

Hawks coach Mike Woodson roasted him for passing the ball to Smith in the corner on in the final seconds. As Smith’s 24-footer bounced off the rim with 10.9 seconds left, Woodson jumped Bibby’s case for making the pass.

The surprise was Bibby’s response. He jumped Woodson right back, much to the delight of those of us sitting close enough to hear the entire exchange.

"If you don’t want me to throw to him put him somewhere else," Bibby shouted. "He’s wide [@*&$%] open. Wide open. What do you want me to do? If you don’t want him shooting that then put him somewhere else. You tell him."

There is a similar story about such a thing happening to Ronnie Price as a rookie in Sacramento. But after the season was over and Price had paid for various things, Mike Bibby reportedly gave Price a wad of cash that more than made up for it.