The Atlanta Hawks was not taking time off the past weekend, where we got to see the best of the best in the NBA compete in the rookie challenge, skills competition and the All Star Game. They didn’t have their focus on all the great athletes in New Orleans, but was looking out west toward California. The Sacramento Kings to be specific and they was able to bargain with the guys in purple for their talented point guard Mike Bibby. Bibby has been injured for most of the season and has recently returned from his hand injury that kept him off the court for most of the season. The Hawks gave up four players (Shelden Williams, Tyrone Lue, Anthony Johnson, Lorenzen Wright) and a 2nd round draft pick for the 2008 NBA Draft which will be held in late June. In return, the Atlanta Hawks get a point guard that is ready to start for this team and should help the Hawks make the playoffs.

The Eastern Conference teams have a much easier path to the playoffs; than the Western Conference teams and the move to acquire Mike Bibby from the Sacramento Kings now makes the Hawks a favorite to grab one of those 8 spots for the Eastern Conference teams. Fans in Atlanta should be excited to finally have a veteran point guard steering the ship with all the talented athletes like Josh Childress, Marvin Williams, Solomon Jones, Salim Stoudamire, Al Horford and the most talented guy in the league Josh Smith. Mike Bibby’s long range game will do wonders for the Hawks, as Joe Johnson can now spend more time on the bench for the Atlanta Hawks. Hopefully the Hawks will find a taker for Joe Johnson and bring in more talent to help this Hawks team. Joe Johnson can still be a valuable piece to this team, but he will never be “the piece”. He just hasn’t got the basketball IQ or talent to be a leader on a team. If the Hawks continue to look for Joe Johnson as the top weapon on this team, they will just continue spinning their wheels. Bibby has never been known to be a vocal leader, but if he will take control of things in Hotlanta and Joe Johnson can be used less on the court, the Hawks will be making some noise this spring in the playoffs.

Welcome to Atlanta Mike Bibby! Goodbye Joe Johnson, because this trade signals the end of our one on one game here in Atlanta and now we can play team basketball with a real point guard in charge! Just do like you did in the All Star Game Joe, move out beyond the arc and wait for the pass!