Hibbert's Area 55

[granger05]

I haven't seen this mentioned on here, and it slipped through the cracks for me too. I happened to notice the video on Pacers.com after watching the MMA stuff.

LINK to indycornrows

Roy Hibbert has purchased 55 season tickets that he will give away to 55 loud and crazy fans in Area 55. Roy is looking for fans that will be loud, crazy, energetic, die-hard Pacers fans, Roy Hibbert fans, fans who will dress the part, fans who will lead chants during the game and fans that aren’t afraid to be seen on the video board.

Andrew Bogut kicked this off last year and he definitely went up in my esteem because of it, and maybe even helped the Bucks become a more dangerous home team. There's a lot of reasons to like Hibbert, but he's cementing his place as a guy that should be a Pacer lifer. His acting in the video clips is absolutely terrible.

Oh, and I couldn't be more thrilled that he and Paul George appear to be working out together this summer. This guy is a good role model for any player, and I like seeing the prized rookie fall in with him; only good things can come of this.

[Grang33r]

The area 55 seems like an awesome idea. Not sure if Bogut should get credit for this though, i remember Jeff Van Gundy did this while in Houston, he said the crowd wasn't "loud" enough and had a contest for like 150 season tickets near the opponents bench for the most loud, crazy and rowdy fans. Not sure if Houston still does it though but back then i felt it was a great idea.

Reading Indiana stuff on a daily basis, a lot of stuff just gets past me without thinking twice about it. However, the whole MMA workout really got to me when i was watching NBA TV earlier tonight and the hosts (Rick Kamla and Steve Smith) talked about Hibbert's workouts with George, and they said something like "the young Pacers are tired of missing the playoffs and appear to be the hardest working team in the league this off-season".... not only George and Hibbert are working hard i think it needs to be noted.

Speaking of Hibbert, few days ago he saw Tyler Hansbrough for the first time this summer and tweeted about how great he is looking. Roy said something to the extend of "he looks like he's been lifting boulders all summer long".

[Wizop]

they said the area was somewhere in the club section. sounds like it might be a replacement for the "Fed-Ex Fan Zone" which used to be section 20. I have my season ticket in that section for several years and it got pretty empty. I moved down to 19 when the prices dropped to do so but 20 (and 1) offer good value. it's basically the same view as Legends without the high priced all you can eat and drink deal.

[chube]

Hibbert seems like a good guy all-around. I remember in a post-game interview last year, he said something like "I just love playing for this team" or something like that. Granted, that was after a blowout home win so it's a little easier to say that under those circumstances, but still. He didn't have to say that. He seems to purely love playing.

But Hibbert seems like a likable guy who is trying to improve in every way he can and is willing to bust his butt to do so. I remember leaving a home game last year (can't remember if it was a win or a loss...likely a loss since they were 2-8 when I went live last season.) Anyway, it was after the game and I walked past the exit of Conseco where you can partially see the practice gym and he was already in there running sprints.

Granger may be the star of the team but I think Big Roy might be my favorite Pacer right now. Hopefully he sticks around.

[Grang33r]

Anyone from RealGM attempting to give it a try?

[Miller4ever]

Unfortunately, not being in Indiana makes this hard to do. I would totally make it, though.

[LarryHarris]

Hey guys. Bucks fan and member of Andrew Bogut’s Squad 6 here. I just wanted to tell you guys that I am excited for you and that if you are thinking of doing it, but are somewhat on the fence, you should!

I can tell you that going into Squad 6 last year, I didn’t know anyone. It took a few games but I made a bunch of friends (I am actually moving in with someone I met from Squad 6).

A lot of us would meet up before games, the Bradley Center is right downtown, so there were a lot of good Happy Hours and food deals before the game. Some guys would go out after as well.

It was so much fun feeling like we were having a small influence on the game and a definite influence on all of the other fans. A lot of people said that the lower bowl was like a library before we got there. It was always fun thinking of chants, razzing other players and just going nuts when something great happened.

I know it seems like a big commitment, and it is, but it was the greatest thing that ever happened to me as a sports fan. At the end of the year, we got to meet Bogut and he was just great.

The best part for you guys is you have an exciting, young team.

I know a lot of people from Squad 6 are on RealGM, I hope you get a number of RealGMers on Area 55. Good luck!

[Grang33r]

LarryHarris- Awesome story man, and glad to hear it. It's amazing what having season tickets does.

I noticed from another forum, one of my fav posters from RealGM, Greenway84 has submitted an entry for Area55 and i guess the guy is thinking of getting a tattoo!!! That is crazzzzy but awesome all at the same time. Not sure if this guy posts here anymore though.