Here's another point: Hawks bring back Mike Bibby

July 7, 2:04 PMAtlanta Sports ExaminerMike Tierney

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Bibby back with Hawks.

Well, Mike Bibby isn't changing zip codes after all. The Atlanta Hawks, seemingly forgetting that they recently acquired apparent point guards by trade (Jamal Crawford) and draft (Jeff Teague), re-upped the incumbent for three more seasons.

Perhaps they couldn't resist the price tag -- $18 million for three years. Perhaps they envision one or more of these guys as a hybrid guard. Perhaps they want insurance in case Teague takes awhile to develop.

No matter, Bibby's return is a surprise, especially since the Hawks' other unrestricted free agent guard, Flip Murray, would be a bargain by comparison. As for Murray: See ya. Your season will look impressive on your resume.

 Bibby, by the way, ranks 46th on a list of the 50 most highly compensated U.S. athletes. Not for long, though. His salary plunge beginning next season will place him among the rank-and-file of jock multi-millionaires.

Last season, Bibby cashed checks totaling $15.475 million, including endorsements, which made him the top-paid Atlantan. Poised to move ahead from No. 48 at  $15.150 mil: Braves pitcher Derek Lowe.

Lowe: top-paid Atlanta jock.