Mike Bibby officially joined his brother-in-law Eddie House and some dudes named LeBron James and Dwyane Wade on the former best team in the NBA*, the Miami Heat on Wednesday.
But one has a feeling that the story when Bibby talks to reporters for the first time ahead of yet another Heat game against the Orlando Magic on TNT is not going to be that feel-good story about how the veteran passed up $6.2 million in guaranteed money to land in South Beach.
At least some of the conversation is going to be about how Bibby was "disrespected" by the Hawks when he was traded to the lowly Washington Wizards the day before the trade deadline.
"We were in Phoenix and I saw everybody in the organization that day," Bibby told former Sacramento Kings beatwriter Martin McNeal on Tuesday. "I think I deserved the respect to at least tell me they are working on something. They had me come to the team meeting and then one hour before the game, I get a call saying they've worked out a trade.
"They said it's 99 percent done, so don't come to the game."
To add fuel to the fire, Bibby added the following little nugget about how he was used in Atlanta.
"I didn't have the ball in my hands in Atlanta," Bibby told McNeal. "And that's not saying I'm gonna have it in Miami. But I think things will be different."
Say what? Seriously?
Granted, players sometimes need to play with a chip on their shoulder and use whatever the heck they can to motivate their game.
It just boggles my mind that Bibby didn't know he was on the trading block. Atlanta obviously wanted to upgrade on the point. They needed someone who could play defense. Bibby's skills have diminished a bit over time.
But as far as the ball not being in his hands in Atlanta? Are you kidding me? Do you really think ball hog James is going to give you many touches? And that Wade guy, he passes up a lot of shot attempts, too, right? Good luck with that.