Ailene Voisin: Bibby back in familiar territory

Lakers or Celtics? Mike Bibby doesn't play favorites. He dislikes the former – for obvious reasons – and is developing a healthy disdain for the latter. Also for obvious reasons.

"They can boo me all they want in Boston," Bibby said on his cell phone Wednesday, a few hours before his Atlanta Hawks were routed 110-85 at TD Banknorth Garden in Game 5 of the best-of-seven Eastern Conference series. "It's nothing I haven't dealt with before. They booed me in L.A. even after I was traded. They don't forget what you do, I guess."

No, they don't forget.

This is the postseason.

This is Bibby.

While his former teammates have scattered for the summer, Bibby, the longtime Kings point guard who was scrapped at midseason per the rebuilding plan, awaits an improbable Game 6 Friday night in what promises to be an electifying atmosphere at Philips Arena.

That's right. Electrifying atmosphere. Though the Hawks and Atlanta tend to be synonymous with losing seasons and silent nights, this shockingly competitive series has left eyes and mouths wide open, vocal cords strained and Mike Woodson among the few head coaches to enhance his job security.

As for Bibby, let's just say he has a knack for playoff theatrics and fortuitous goodbyes. He left the lowly Grizzlies for a 2001-02 Kings team that featured Chris Webber, Vlade Divac, Peja Stojakovic and Doug Christie – the latter emerging as an ideal backcourt partner because of his length, quickness and playmaking skills. More recently, while Ron Artest was being mentioned in most of the Kings' midseason trade speculation, Bibby was discarded for salary cap flexibility and the possibility – however remote – that Shelden Williams would emerge as a bruising interior presence.

In return, the Hawks acquired a seasoned lead guard who, despite recurring foot and hand injuries that are clearly contributing to declining offensive production, provides stability and experience. If he hasn't been the familiar Mike Bibby – the 6-foot-2, 190-pounder with the wide hips and shoulders, his headband frequently knocked askew as he collides with defenders in the lane or releases one of those feathery jumpers with the perfect rotation – there have been glimpses. The deceptive dribble-drives that freeze defenders. The lethal jumpers on the pick-and-rolls. The occasional one-bounce or baseball pass on the break. The 18-point, first-half eruption in Game 4. And the swagger. That, too.

"Mike came in here under tough circumstances," said Woodson, a friend and former Kings teammate of Reggie Theus. "Because of the injury (thumb surgery), he wasn't in great shape, and we had to play him into shape because we needed him. We were trying to make the playoffs, and because we're so young, we asked a lot of him and Joe Johnson."

Bibby, who turns 30 in two weeks, half-jokingly describes himself as the grizzled guy at the blackboard. He tutors his younger teammates, yet marvels at the athleticism of Al Horford and Josh Childress, the shot-blocking and all-around explosiveness of Josh Smith, and the versatility and ballhandling of Johnson. Accordingly, he says, he is attempting to play faster and more aggressively, rather than be forced to probe the Celtics' stifling half-court defense – a contributing factor to his assist total (three) in the first two games.

"I'm still trying to get into basketball shape," conceded Bibby, who managed only six points and one assist Wednesday night. "Missing training camp, the injury, set me back. You don't get that contact in practice. And you get used to playing one way, being around the same people, the same thing, all your friends. It was tough at first.

"But the trade rejuvenated me. It was time for a change, for Sacramento and me. We (the Hawks) got to the playoffs, and that was the first step. Now we're trying to take it further. Atlanta … it was amazing energy in there the other night (Game 4). It reminded me of Sacramento – when we'd be down, the fans would bring us back. They kept us in it."

With a laugh, he added, "The fans in Boston? They were on me the whole time. They were intense. I just figured, Put the attention on me. I've been there before."

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• Call The Bee's Ailene Voisin, (916) 321-1208.