Wednesday, February 19, 1997
BIBBY:
After rocky start last year, Henry Bibby focuses on mixing new,
old talent in path to victoryBy Hye Kwon
Daily Bruin Staff
From his days in the 1970s when Henry Bibby was standout guard
under Coach John Wooden, he has come full circle as a basketball
man.
After 27 years of playing and/or coaching in the NCAA, the NBA,
the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) and the United States
Basketball League (USBL), Bibby has landed at USC, a school that
happens to be the most bitter rival of his alma mater.
As he leads his surprising Trojans into Pauley Pavilion for a
crucial Pac-10 game tonight, Bibby will be making his first
appearance as a head coach in the building where he spent his
collegiate playing days.
Coming into the game, Bibby himself has stayed low key about his
return to UCLA. After the highly emotional experience at Tucson
last weekend, in which Bibby had to field questions about coaching
against his estranged son (freshman Mike Bibby of the Wildcats), he
has been avoiding questions regarding his return to Westwood.
But as he paces the same sidelines where Coach Wooden used to
yell out instructions, it may be hard for Bibby to refrain from
peeking high atop the rafters of Pauley, where the three NCAA
championship banners he helped bring home hang for all to see.
From 1969 to 1972, Bibby was the starting guard for Coach
Wooden, capturing the national championship in each of the three
seasons. Playing with UCLA greats such as Sidney Wicks, Keith
(Jamaal) Wilkes and Greg Lee, Bibby’s record as a Bruin stands at
87-3. In 1972, his senior year, when a red-haired center named Bill
Walton was a sophomore, UCLA amassed a perfect 30-0 record.
After graduating, Bibby was drafted into the NBA where he spent
the next nine years averaging 8.6 points and 3.4 assists. As a
rookie, Bibby helped the New York Knicks win the championship in
1973, and led the Philadelphia 76ers to NBA Finals appearances in
1977 and 1980.
"If Henry says he can do it, he can do it," Walton said of his
former teammate. "All his life he’s proved he can do whatever he
puts his mind to."
But convincing the USC athletic department of that took a little
while.
After the tumultuous firing of Bibby’s predecessor, Charlie
Parker, and the naming of Bibby as the interim coach on Feb. 7 of
last year, many people expected USC Athletic Director Mike Garrett
to permanently hire a "big name" at the end of the season.
At the time, former Trojan and recently fired Phoenix Suns head
coach Paul Westphal seemed like the perfect candidate.
But when Garrett named Bibby the permanent head coach, even
after he he led the Trojans to an 0-9 finish, the announcement came
as a surprise.
One of the few positives, albeit a modest one, was that Bibby
would be taking over a team that could only improve after its
dismal performance in the previous year.
"We couldn’t be worse than we were last year, when we lost our
last nine games," Bibby said. "I knew it had to be better this
year. We wanted to win the conference (this year), but I don’t know
yet if that will happen."
Despite losing Avondre Jones, Cameron Murray, Brandon Martin and
Tyson Reuter, who were all key contributors from last year’s squad,
Bibby has positioned his team to compete for the Pac-10 title.
Returning players Stais Boseman, Jaha Wilson and David Crouse are
all playing well, which some attribute to Biddy’s leadership.
"For the first time since I’ve been here, everybody’s on the
same page; everybody’s playing at the same time and it’s all
because of Coach Bibby," Boseman said. "He has finally made us a
team now. Coach Bibby has this program turned in the right
direction."
"He’s a Bruin. That’s why," was UCLA head coach Steve Lavin’s
reasoning for Bibby’s success.
In reality, Bibby’s success may have more to do with his ability
to mix his team’s vast amount of new talent with returning players
like Boseman, Crouse and Wilson.
Kentucky transfer Rodrick Rhodes has revived his once
"disappointing" college career, and junior transfers like Gary
Williams, Elias Ayuso, Ken Sims and Anthony White have also meshed
well in Bibby’s system.
Bibby has shown his players discipline from the outset, and he
has not hesitated to bench a player to make a point. Nine players
have rotated through the season’s starting lineup in the midst of
such changes.
"I tell (the players) the truth," Bibby said. "I don’t throw any
curves. When I played, I never wanted to be lied to. I try to help
the players accept their responsibilities."
Despite the no-nonsense atmosphere on the basketball court,
Bibby also makes an effort to guide his young players in the right
direction off of it. He feels comfortable relating with his players
because he too was a high profile basketball player when he was
their age.
"I usually call the guys on their day off," Bibby said. "I want
them to know we’re interested in them outside of basketball, and
let them know we care.
"I’m just happy that the guys are happy. I’m happy if they
fulfill their dreams of winning some Pac-10 games. That’s what’s
rewarding. I want them to be able to look back and remember the
times the team played well."
For the first time since Harold Miner led the Trojans to a 24-6
record in 1991-92, the Trojans are among the elite in the Pac-10, a
cause for celebration on Jefferson Street.
But Bibby is extremely quick to point out that the season isn’t
even close to being over.
"This is no time to celebrate," Bibby said. "We have nothing to
celebrate about.
"My expectations are high. Where we are now, it might be
exciting to (outsiders), but I expect us to compete in the Pac-10.
This is not super-exciting for me because this is what I
expect."
HENRY BIBBY
One year after leading the Trojans to a 0-9 finish, Bibby has
USC on the verge of a NCAA Tournament bid.