By Cameron Zargar

There is a clear winner for the blockbuster summer trade between the Sacramento Kings and the Memphis Grizzlies that brought the Kings point guard Mike Bibby and sent point guard Jason Williams to the Grizzlies.

While Williams shot under 40% for the 4th time in his 5 year career for a team that won only 25 games, the Kings’ Bibby has been the clear star of his team’s series with Dallas. In his first trip to the playoffs, Bibby has done what Williams never could— made an impact, carrying his team to victory. Williams probably shot his team out of games instead.

So far, Bibby has averaged 21.5 points, 7 assists, and shot 57.1% from behind the three-point line, making three treys a game. He came up huge in game four when the Kings were without Peja Stojakovic (ankle injury), Chris Webber (fouled out) and Vlade Divac (fouled out). So Bibby did what any other talented young player would do on a team stocked with superior talent. He seized the opportunity to shine and took over when things mattered most.

First he hit the shot that forced overtime, then he hit the game winner in overtime. His team is now up 3-1 on the Mavericks, who many predicted to win the series.

The Mavs probably would have never envisioned Bibby being the key to the Kings playoff run. Against Dallas in the regular season he averaged only 10.2 points on 38.1% shooting.

When a player with Bibby’s talent fails to put up numbers some start to question his game and drive. Others state that he just has not gotten a fair opportunity to prove himself. After all, the Kings have three players who have been all-stars recently (Webber, Divac and Stojakovic). Doug Christie, their shooting guard, can steal the show at times too. And then Hidayet Turkoglu and Bobby Jackson give them a punch off the bench. Including Bibby, these seven players had averages in double figures. That’s a lot of touches.

So when the Kings three of their biggest stars, Bibby became their go-to guy.

It appears now that Bibby was the missing factor for the Kings. Sacramento has put together some exciting teams that could score a lot of points in recent years. In the playoffs, though, they fizzled. Style points mean a lot in terms of fans, but usually do not produce championships.

Bibby has become a reliable perimeter shooter in the clutch. The Kings already had Webber and Divac, who can make an impact in the post in the clutch. Stojakovic is a terrific scorer and outside shooter, but he has not gotten it done late in the playoffs (last year vs. Lakers, this year vs. Dallas). Bibby, though, has found his role as the spark plug. Perhaps Sacramento fans will have him to thank for a championship run.

Needless to say, Kings’ fans will never think twice about their trade with Memphis.