School Days

The Grizzlies lose again, 116-112, dropping to 4-9, but Bibby wins his duel with Van Exel. He finishes with 15 points, on 6-for-9 shooting, and 10 assists, while Van Exel gets eight points and 12 assists.

"What did you think of your matchup with Van Exel?" Bibby is asked.

"What did you think of it?" he says.

"Looks like you had the better of things," the reporter says.

Bibby shrugs. He obviously has learned one lesson: Rookies don't gloat. Van Exel is impressed. "You can tell he plays old school," Van Exel says. "He doesn't turn the ball over much. Good ball-handling skills. Hits the open shot. He's real solid."

BOOST FROM BIG BROTHERS
March 2: Kings at Grizzlies
Michael, 15 months old, visits the locker room after the game, in the arms of his father's brother Hank, 24, who along with another brother, Dane, 30, spends a lot of time in Vancouver babysitting his nephew and helping Mike keep track of his schedule away from basketball. Watching the affection Mike showers on Michael makes an observer wonder about Mike's estrangement from his father, Henry, a former NBA player who even after his retirement spent long stretches of time away from the family. Henry, now USC's coach, could be helping his youngest son adjust to NBA life, but it's obvious that he won't have the chance to do that anytime soon. Mike doesn't answer questions having to do with his father.

THE BEST STRETCH
March 24: 76ers at Grizzlies

Playing one of his best offensive games of the season, Bibby gets 20 points and nine assists against the Sixers' Allen Iverson. It's Bibby's 16th straight game scoring in double figures, a stretch in which he has averaged 16.5 points and 5.7 assists. His shooting ills are a distant memory. "We were never worried about his shot," Hill says. "He's quietly been playing well night in and night out, and he doesn't make the same mistake twice. We couldn't be happier."

The plays by Bibby that don't show up in the stats are the most indicative of his value. In one sequence against Philadelphia he doesn't give the ball up on a fast break to a seemingly open Massenburg because he sees that a defender would converge on Massenburg at about the same time the ball would. "He's starting to learn who can do what and where they can do it," says Hollins. "When you're the new point guard, everybody tries to buddy up to you so you'll pass them the ball. He's learning where his teammates like the ball, but he's also learning where not to give them the ball." No one knows that better than shooting guard Felipe Lopez, an engaging rookie who has become Bibby's best friend. Lopez chauffeured Bibby around Vancouver early in the season. "I thought he would give me the rock more if I drove him around, but it's not working that way," Lopez says, smiling. "When it comes to dishing the ball, Mike doesn't care if you're his friend or not. He only cares if you can make the shot."

March will turn out to be Bibby's best month—14.0 points, 6.2 assists—of the season, but he's his usual, matter-of-fact self when discussing his play. "Things are going pretty well," he says. "I'm learning." His tone is no different from that night in February when he shot so poorly against the Blazers.