Roy Hibbert

[Anatomize]

Hey guys,

Raps fan here..

I haven't been able to exclusively watch Pacers games in the second half, and I would like to get some insight as to what the issue with Hibbert is? He had a monster 2nd half last year, after all of his conditioning work in the offseason and training with Duncan, I expected a huge season. Is he not being properly involved in the offense? Is it too much ball handling/usage from Stephenson/George/Hill and no true passing PG? From what I've heard he's missing even easy looks consistently. As Hibbert has struggled to the tune of around 9 pts and 5 boards 2.2 blocks the last month, the Pacers have consequently played poorly as well.

[pacers70]

In my opinion, and this may be too simple to be accurate, is that every year Roy has a slump like this. It usually occurs early in the year, however, this year it is happening now. If that is indeed the case, right around playoff time he should get it turned around.

[EuroPacer]

His offense has been poor all year, a combination of not getting touches (like you said) and concentrating more on defense than offense so not really getting a rhythm going. But pacers70 is right, he isn't the most consistent guy out there. (even so, we don't really need him to be an offensive superman, as long as we can anchor our defense on him, which we do reliably).

[GrandBasterd]

Hey guys,

Raps fan here..

I haven't been able to exclusively watch Pacers games in the second half, and I would like to get some insight as to what the issue with Hibbert is? He had a monster 2nd half last year, after all of his conditioning work in the offseason and training with Duncan, I expected a huge season. Is he not being properly involved in the offense? Is it too much ball handling/usage from Stephenson/George/Hill and no true passing PG? From what I've heard he's missing even easy looks consistently. As Hibbert has struggled to the tune of around 9 pts and 5 boards 2.2 blocks the last month, the Pacers have consequently played poorly as well.

I expected a monster season outta him as well. IMO he just not a very good offensive player. Let me elaborate on that. He can finish with his left, he can finish with his right, he has pretty good foot work, he has a crazy unblockable hook, he can hit outside shots and even threes....he just can't do any of it consistently (I've seen him make crazy circus hooks from ten feet out then airball point blank looks in perfect position), and he is not and should not be the focal point of the offense. The only starter who averages less shots than Hibbert per game is hill, and I think the offense would be better served if Hibbert was last. To pinpoint the flaw in his game I think it's his bodily strength/center of gravity. He is like opposite of Howard or Lebron. If you touch Roy while he's moving he goes flying. For being as big and strong as he is, he rarely dunks and if he goes up strong and it's contested in any way, he will often get blocked, even by guards, or he'll just miss it. I think at that size, that kinda strength I'm referring to is one of the most important attributes, and Roy just lacks it. He has even crafted his amazing defense around this problem. He basically pioneered this verticality deal. He uses his mind and his height to his fullest advantage, but at the end of the day, he's basically a 7'2 dude taking a charge.

Clearly he his capable of amazing offensive bursts, like the first quarter from the heat game last night. But it's rare, and even rarer he can do that an entire game.

[GrandBasterd]

And I'll add, that this is why he is a terrible rebounder.

[Nuntius]

He just doesn't get the ball enough in the RS, imo. He's gonna get the ball in the playoffs since that's when we're absolutely going to need his contribution.

[marcusaurelius]

As some have mentioned, he probably isn't getting the touches he needs, at least consistently. Also, every player is more efficient from a certain location on the floor. He is just not getting the ball when he is in the right position, or at least not very often.

The Pacers just have very mediocre (if not bad) play at the point guard position. Remember how CP3 made Chandler look like an offensive juggernaut in NO? Chandler is a very limited center offensively. An excellent PG knew how to utilize his skills and get him the ball where he could be effective. Pacers just don't have anyone like that to bring out the best in Hibbert on the offensive end.

Also, the coaching staff just isn't smart enough to figure out how to use him more effectively on the offensive end. This isn't all on Hill. Why hasn't the coaching staff worked with Hill more to teach him how to get the ball to Hibbert at the right time/location ?

[GrandBasterd]

As some have mentioned, he probably isn't getting the touches he needs, at least consistently. Also, every player is more efficient from a certain location on the floor. He is just not getting the ball when he is in the right position, or at least not very often.

The Pacers just have very mediocre (if not bad) play at the point guard position. Remember how CP3 made Chandler look like an offensive juggernaut in NO? Chandler is a very limited center offensively. An excellent PG knew how to utilize his skills and get him the ball where he could be effective. Pacers just don't have anyone like that to bring out the best in Hibbert on the offensive end.

Also, the coaching staff just isn't smart enough to figure out how to use him more effectively on the offensive end. This isn't all on Hill. Why hasn't the coaching staff worked with Hill more to teach him how to get the ball to Hibbert at the right time/location ?

This is the point I'm trying to make. For the past 8 seasons Chandler has been averaging 60% fg. Hibbert has never even hit 50% is currently at 45%. That's cause Chandlers looks are STRONG. Put back dunks, lobs, two hands to the rim. Hibbert trying to do lefty hooks from three feet away when he catches it where Chandler is dunking. Deandre Jordan has been a terrible offensive player, yet he has always averaged over 60%. If Roy would be hitting anywhere close to that we would be crushing. But his game is finesse, and he still has loads of work to do to be consistent at it.

[EuroPacer]

Sorry GrandBasterd, but you are comparing apples and pears here. Chandler is a lot quicker on his feet than Roy around the ring, which is why he does get the occasional put-back or alley oop. But in every other respect he isn't a patch on Roy offensively, Roy can actually pull the opposing center out of position by taking mid-range shots. Force them to focus all their energy on keeping him out of the low block and at the other end defend the hell out of them and protect the rim. They aren't similar players in any way other than that they play the same position, are tall and are known as defenders.

[GrandBasterd]

Roy can actually pull the opposing center out of position by taking mid-range shots.

I believe that mid range shot of his, is his best and most consistent in his "arsenal", and while good to have, I would say playing strong down low is more valuable as a center (and has the added benefit, of providing rebounds)
Also, Chandler and Hibbert are within a point and a half career scoring averages and while Hibbert can do a whole bunch of stuff at 45%, I would rather have a limited amount of shots at 60% at that position.

[Robertchk]

What your seeing with Hibbert is exactly what the Bulls experienced with Derrick Rose on the floor (a ballhog)... big guys were inconsistant because they are not getting the ball throughout the game, ESPECIALLY in the first quarter... We can't expect guys that have the ability to score, which is RARE, to score when its convenient for players like PG and Lance.

Lance just doesnt have the basketball IQ needed to win a title in this league and the Bulls better not pursue him.

Keep David West aggressive on offense and you have a shot to beat Miami, if not, your done in 5.. well 6 regardless.

[will]

The ball needs to go through Hibbert more often. Still, Roy is kind of playing like a soft bish though. Gotta man up.