Indiana

[Grang33r]

I like to post good articles on the Pacers whenever i see them, but, with that, gotta post the not so good. Nothing new here that we didn't know about since we all follow this team on a daily basis, but, still figured i'd post it since the New York Times is writing about our very own Roy Hibbert. Still a pretty solid read-

Indiana’s Hibbert Is ‘Most Improved’ No More
By ROB MAHONEY

Early in the season, Roy Hibbert was a no-questions-asked candidate for the league’s most improved player award. Pacers Coach Jim O’Brien had elected to run his offense with Hibbert as the focal point, and the natural progression of Hibbert’s basketball skills made that decision a wise – if unexpected – one.

Indiana had ranked in the top three in pace and in the top four in 3-point attempts during each of O’Brien’s first three seasons, a testament to the fast-breaking system he installed in an attempt to maximize the Pacers’ limited offensive potential. That experiment failed; the run-and-gun Pacers never approached offensive solvency, and though they tried to run the break and throw up as many 3s as possible, Indiana was claiming the few victories to its name on the defensive end.

Link- http://offthedribble.blogs.nytimes.com/ ... ?src=twrhp

[jowglenn]

Unfortunately, I think teams simply got wise to all of Hibbert's moves and the Pacers weak offensive plans. Early in the season, teams didn't necessarily scout to beat the Hibbert-based plays. But now everyone knows, and so Hibbert gets shut down.

If we had a better offensive scheme, I think it would be harder for teams to shut Hibbert down.

[8305]

I don't think you blame Roy's downfall on scheme and scouting as much as he just quit hitting shots. Then I think he over reacted and started taking more shots. Think I read somewhere where his shots per went up in December. I had to laugh at Kravit's line "Roy went from MIP to OMG." Sadly, that assessment was pretty accurate. He was terrible.

Hope we don't have Steve Blass here because early in the season he was playing like an allstar.

[PR07]

I think it's probably a combination of different things. Opponents have wisened up, but I also think Roy is simply not hitting the shots he used to.

[IndianaSteel]

It seems to me Roy needs to find a balance of how use his body. When he goes just the right speed at taking a shot in the low post. He usually will hit it or come close. But when he goes to fast and out of control, or to slow then the double team comes his shots look terrible.

Roy has alot of good skills and seems like a very good dude. The type of person an organization can build around. He is the one player I root most for when he is on the floor. I hope he gets out of this funk soon. The hopes of the Pacers seem to be in the development on PG and Roy.

[jcodbf2]

What do you guys think about Tyler being in consideration of this award now that Hibbert has been struggling?

[Indy2thaWindy]

What do you guys think about Tyler being in consideration of this award now that Hibbert has been struggling?

No, too many other players who have improved more and played a lot more minutes.

Can't blame Tyler for that tho.

[DWCP2]

It seems to me Roy needs to find a balance of how use his body. When he goes just the right speed at taking a shot in the low post. He usually will hit it or come close. But when he goes to fast and out of control, or to slow then the double team comes his shots look terrible.

Roy has alot of good skills and seems like a very good dude. The type of person an organization can build around. He is the one player I root most for when he is on the floor. I hope he gets out of this funk soon. The hopes of the Pacers seem to be in the development on PG and Roy.

Think I said on this and a few other boards many times that if Hibbert can study Shaq's Lakers days how he can move given his body, I think he could be a devastating force.

Last two games, I noticed him not waiting in the post, and even going as far as adding an up and under move to his game as well. He should have been on the floor a lot more in the Portland game. Yes he wasn't mobile enough to keep up with Aldridge, but in the same context Portland had nobody that can defend him in the post.

[kingOfqueens]

Sup guys Knick fan just browsing your board for AR rumors. Just wondering whats the deal with Mcroberts, he was putting up decent numbers up until recently where he's missed quite a few games. Was he injured or did he just fall out of the rotation? Also was wondering what the team would think about a AR for Mcroberts deal instead of the rumored 1st rnd pick. Thanks

[Kuq_e_Zi91]

Sup guys Knick fan just browsing your board for AR rumors. Just wondering whats the deal with Mcroberts, he was putting up decent numbers up until recently where he's missed quite a few games. Was he injured or did he just fall out of the rotation? Also was wondering what the team would think about a AR for Mcroberts deal instead of the rumored 1st rnd pick. Thanks

Fell out of the rotation. O'Brien is playing Posey and even Solomon Jones ahead of him.

[Clangus]

I think Roy needs to take the Andrew Bogut approach (pre-injury) Bogut suddenly turned into a good offensive player last year when he started making his moves quickly - dont wait for the D, dont wait for a play to unfold, get the ball and go straight into your move - also attack the basket on those moves. Before Bogut got injured he was really playing great on Offense, I see Roy being able to do the same. (plus he has more range than bogut.

[Solid]

I'd love Kevin McKale to spend some time with Roy.
He wasn't the most athletic guy in the world and was not a real powerful guy, but he was long and smart and had an almost unstoppable set of post moves.

I also want him to get a thug in the middle to team up with. Someone with some beef or athleticism that can pull some attention away on both ends of the court.
Antonio Danials would have been good for Roy.
Nene ! would be awesome I think.

Roy needs a little more space.

[Starkiller]

What's Danny Fortson up to these days?

[captaincrunk]

What do you guys think about Tyler being in consideration of this award now that Hibbert has been struggling?

Not a chance this year. But if he remains under the radar and has the breakout year his draft position said he was supposed to have, I'd say he'll have a fighting chance next yer.

[reppinthe916]

Kings fan here. I've been watching some Pacers game this year because I was interested in all the hype surrounding Hibbert and he was playing well in the beginning of the season. He's dropped off a lot and I was just wondering whether Pacers fans think he will pick it up soon this year or will it take him the off season to get his game together.

[ajizzle]

There are a lot of factors in Roy's decline, but I think most of it can be attributed to a change in offensive philosophy. We've added a lot more PickNRoll/Pop plays to appease Darren Collison, which I believe is the right play. In fact, I think that could help Roy if he crashes the boards harder and looks for lobs, tip-ins, etc., around the basket. That's how a lot of the bigs around the L are getting these big rebound numbers. There's no reason Roy shouldn't have 4 off rebs a night, especially if Danny, Darren, and the boys keep driving to the rim.

I didn't like the idea of running the entire O thru Roy, but it worked for awhile. When Darren's out of the game, I'd love to see the Princeton O return, just as a change up for our opponent, making us more difficult to scout.

All in all, Roy's gonna be fine, but he has to realize his roles. With Darren in, we're Pick-N-Roll, and he needs to be around the basket for lops, tip-ins, tip-outs, and just to clog the lane. When Darren is out, he can revert to being the focal point in our half-court O, passing to cutters & shooters, and looking for his own offense when the time is right.