Mike Bibby played the Jazz like a set of drums, tap, tap, tapping until he found the rhythm, the preferred mood, the timely stroke. He was in control early and in control late. He made big shots. He made nifty passes. He made critical plays. And he even outfoxed wily old John Stockton in the deciding minutes of what proved to be the most impressive, important performance of his young NBA career.

Can't ask for more than that.

Not in this arena, not in this series.

This bruising, grinding, surprisingly contentious best-of-five matchup moves toward a potential clincher here Monday night in no small measure because the Kings' compact little point guard -- in his first NBA postseason and third playoff game -- was everything he is supposed to be.