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I've been a defender of Roy Hibbert ever since we got him on draft night. I've defended his poor rebounding and average offensive skills. I can't defend him any longer and it's gotten to the point where Vogel needs to start giving some of his minutes elsewhere because they just can't beat the Hawks playing Hibbert 30+ minutes. I'm not saying bench him completely, but give him less minutes. Somewhere around 20 minutes. The Hawks torch him with their bigs who can spread the floor and Hibbert can't make them pay on the offensive end. He's almost useless in this series. Why not give Copeland some minutes? His shooting will spread the floor and provide lanes for Lance and PG to drive. The offense couldn't possibly be much worse. Vogel's been somewhat hard-headed about making moves to adjust the rotation, but he's going to find himself on the hot seat if he doesn't make the necessary changes to survive the first round.

I wrote more on this issue, why it's a problem, and how to fix it here if anyone is interested: http://freeagentzero.wordpress.com/2014 ... t-problem/

Totally agree. He's worth nothing at this point on offense, and less than nothing on defense. Good coaches, like Pop and Spo, run a bunch of different lineups and combinations during the regular season, so if adjustments need to be made in the playoffs, you have an idea of what works. Judging by Vogel's track record, zero adjustments will be made.

Knicks fan, so excuse me for not knowing, but in his slump how badly has Hibbert's defense regressed?

Boarder Patrol wrote:Knicks fan, so excuse me for not knowing, but in his slump how badly has Hibbert's defense regressed?

He's certainly not the same guy that everyone saw last year against Miami with the whole verticality thing and blocking shots/taking charges. It's regressed, though not nearly as much as his offense, but in game 2 against Atlanta, he's starting to play more like a rim protector again. Maybe he just got his confidence back, who knows.

No question he's a really bad matchup with either Atic or Milsap and he's not been able to get anything back at the offensive end. Hawks have done a good job of bringing many bodies at Roy when he gets the ball. You would like to think before it's over Indiana should be able to exploit that. In the meantime Mahamni provides a better match.

If the Pacers advance to the next round Roy should be a factor again if for no other reason his brand of defense will likely match the opponent better. Hopefully we get to see if he can have more impact against Chicago or Washington. Long term the Pacers do have to consider the logic of paying the kind of money that Roy gets to a guy who can be taken out of a series the way that Roy has by Atlanta.

Hibbert has been pooping the bed since the Bynum deal. Even before that he was regressing.

I think it may be the league figuring him out 2.
League knows on D pacers wanna funnel into him, so they haven't been doing it. His blocks and defense have dropped and it gets him frustrated. And on O, you don't need a huge guy to guard him, just a smaller guy to use his leverage a bit and bug him, get his center of gravity off. On a MONSTER night he might put up 20. You are fine with those odds. This is not a guy you run your offense through. He is shooting under 30% last fifteen games.

I was hoping IND would destroy MIA in the EAST finals (MIA hater).
Hibbert has a -1.1 PER in playoffs according to Marc Stein. Maybe you should sent him to MIN for Pekovic.
Involves risks for both teams but both teams are unhappy with their bigs right now so maybe it is worth the gamble.

Feilong wrote:I was hoping IND would destroy MIA in the EAST finals (MIA hater).
Hibbert has a -1.1 PER in playoffs according to Marc Stein. Maybe you should sent him to MIN for Pekovic.
Involves risks for both teams but both teams are unhappy with their bigs right now so maybe it is worth the gamble.

+ Dieng or 14 unprotected'1st

Boneman2 wrote:

Feilong wrote:I was hoping IND would destroy MIA in the EAST finals (MIA hater).
Hibbert has a -1.1 PER in playoffs according to Marc Stein. Maybe you should sent him to MIN for Pekovic.
Involves risks for both teams but both teams are unhappy with their bigs right now so maybe it is worth the gamble.

+ Dieng or 14 unprotected'1st

nvm keep your 30M/2Y center with -1.1 PER

I've said before that Roy thinks too much and Lance thinks too little. benching Roy could destroy what little confidence he has. if Roy asks to sit, that would be different, but otherwise I'd start him but keep the hook handy. later in the game, I'd even consider going very small with PG at the four and West, Scola, or Allen at the 5.

Feilong wrote:

Boneman2 wrote:

Feilong wrote:I was hoping IND would destroy MIA in the EAST finals (MIA hater).
Hibbert has a -1.1 PER in playoffs according to Marc Stein. Maybe you should sent him to MIN for Pekovic.
Involves risks for both teams but both teams are unhappy with their bigs right now so maybe it is worth the gamble.

+ Dieng or 14 unprotected'1st

nvm keep your 30M/2Y center with -1.1 PER

Pekovic 4/48

In his four seasons he has averaged just 57 games per.

Although Hibbert may be in a mental slump, he is usually healthy. Plus he is elite on the defensive end.

I'll pay the extra 3/per for only two seasons as opposed to 4/48. Maybe in two seasons we sign Dieng after Hibbert expires.