BEARS EARN SUPER-PICK
BEARS EARN SUPER-PICK
Expert Analysis
"An
outstanding point guard. Mike is a great shooter as well as a
player who can distribute the basketball. He probably sees the
floor as well as any player, and he really has no fears. Some
people question his quickness and ability to defend at the NBA
level, but all players have trouble defending as rookies. He'll
be able to overcome that."
-- Vancouver Grizzlies Director of Player Personnel Larry
Riley
"Mike Bibby is really what you
have to have to be a successful NBA franchise. I think now the
consensus is pretty much if you don't have a point guard, you're
not going to have a good team in the NBA, and Mike Bibby is a
consummate point guard. He thinks like a point guard and he plays
like a point guard. He really doesn't have a lot of
weaknesses."
-- Denver Nuggets Vice President and General Manager Dan Issel
"He handles the ball well, he
shoots it well, and he's intelligent. He does what he's supposed
to do, whether it's shoot the ball or pass it to a teammate. He
makes very few mistakes, and that's what separates him from a lot
of guards."
-- Maryland Coach Gary Williams
Award winning analyst Ahmad Rashad
Success is 90% hard work. For everything else, count on image.
NBC's Ahmad Rashad filed this report with this interview with the Bears' 1998 Prize Pick.
Ahmad : Mike, as we're sitting in the Draft HQ here in Vancouver, and they're playing the Theme from Superman to the raptuous elation of the home fans ... I can hardly hear myself speak, your draft moment has all but torn the roof off GM Place. What are you experiencing right now Mike?
Mike Bibby : Well Ahmad, the moment I walked out of the Green Room and saw the wall upon wall of screaming, crying and cheering fans, I knew this felt right and I'm overwhelmed by the welcome that the Vancouver fans have given me. I look forward to playing for the Jambalaya Bears and give them erathang I got. This is a long way from Arizona and man..I te-ya this feels so good...so far away from home. Because THIS is gonna be home for a while...
Ahmad : Would it have made it harder to play well had you been drafted by LA?
Mike : Um..I don't really think so Ahmad. I know where you're coming from and a lot has been made about the USC situation but I think I would have handled that OK.
Ahmad : Talk a little bit about leaving Arizona and all your buddies there.
Mike : That's obviously a tough situation. We had some good times down there and that NCAA title will always be special. I think I'll miss my church there CAT. We always played hoops on Sunday afternoons and I'm a-gonna miss the folks there.
Ahmad : As a door closes, another one opens and Mike, good luck in your new home here in Vancouver with the Jambalaya Bears. Back now to Hannah Storm in the Broadcast Center....Hannah.