White chocolate or the Great White Hype?

By Bill Ingram Sports Central Columnist

When the Sacramento Kings traded White Chocolate (or White Powder, depending on which circles you run in) to the Vancouver/Memphis Grizzlies for Mike Bibby, I'm sure some eyebrows went up. You haven't seen Bibby on "SportsCenter," he doesn't do too much of that behind-the-back stuff, and he didn't get a lot of attention in Vancouver. That was just fine with the Kings, who were more interested in his stats than his flair.

Jason Williams wants attention. He wants to make the easy shots look hard and he wants to get a rise out of the crowd when he gets a fast break started. That's all well and good, and Williams is certainly a premier passer when he plays under control. The problem is, you never know when one of his well-intentioned passes was going to sail out of bounds and cost the Kings a much-needed two points.

Mike Bibby wants to get the job done as efficiently as possible. He doesn't flash, he doesn't get on "SportsCenter," but he also doesn't turn the ball over. Comparison? Here's a look at the duo in question.

Under the leadership the Kings, who by all rights, should have collapsed when Webber went down in preseason, are 6-1. Bibby is scoring 14.5 points per game, shooting 44% from the field, 80% from the foul line, and getting five assists and four rebounds per game. He commits only 1.67 turnovers per game.

With the Grizzlies, Williams is getting his 6.3 assists per game, but shooting only 36% from the field, 68% from the foul line, and recording 2.7 rebounds per game. Jason is averaging 14.2 points and 3.67 turnovers per game.

The Grizzlies wanted someone who would put fannies in the seats. Williams will likely do that, thrilling fans with his showy style of play. The Kings wanted a leader, someone who would take care of the ball and help them retain valuable possessions when the games got tight, particularly against the L.A. Lakers.

Jason Williams was not able to step his game up and get over himself during those crucial situations. Mike Bibby is looking good so far. The Great White Hype has moved East and turnovers don't matter as much when you don't make the playoffs.

Looks like both teams got just what they need.

Article courtesy of Sports Central.