Reports: Bibby Should Return By Mid-Month

“The Sacramento Bee” reported Tuesday that Sacramento Kings point guard Mike Bibby?looks like he will make his return to the Kings starting lineup on January 16. Bibby participated Monday in first full contact practice since October 27,? when he underwent thumb surgery. Observers said that Bibby looked in game shape as he knocked down a series of long range shots. Bibby is just one of many veterans that the Kings are playing without, the latest being “Tru Warrior” forward Ron Artest, who will miss the next two weeks after getting arthroscopic surgery to remove bone chips in his right elbow. The Kings have also been playing without Kevin Martin?who has been out since the first week of December with a groin injury and is expected to be about a week away from returning to the lineup. There is speculation, that King’s coach Reggie Theus is contemplating?shifting Bibby?over to shooting guard upon his return, keeping current starter Beno Udrih at the point. Bibby is in his tenth season in the NBA he came over to the Kings in the 2001-2002 season, Sacramento is currently 11-18 in fourth place in the Pacific Division, 10 games behind Division leading Phoenix.