Indiana Pacers Need Roy Hibbert to Mature Mentally for 2014-15
By Brian Neal
There’s absolutely no question about Roy Hibbert‘s natural talent and size. He’s an athletic 7-foot-2, 290-pound center. One the Indiana Pacers paid heftily for, as he appeared to be their franchise post player.
His combination of athleticism and length has made him one of the most feared rim-protectors in the NBA. There’s no doubt about this either.
The biggest knock on Hibbert, and the reason he was benched by head coach Frank Vogel multiple times last year, was that he just disappears sometimes. Whether it’s a lack of confidence or simply caring to provide the effort, Hibbert loses focus and can completely vanish during some games.
The issue this is so infuriating is because any given night, Hibbert has the potential to put up 20 points, at least 10 rebounds and at least two blocked shots. Any night, any game — doesn’t matter. However, we’ve seen him go for stretches where not only can he not buy a bucket, but he can’t even grab a rebound. At 7-foot-2, how do you go any game — even if you only play for five freaking minutes — and not get at least one rebound?!
Hibbert has to mature mentally and simply grow up if the Pacers are going to have success this year without Paul George. He has to step up every game, and can’t disappear during stretches like he was known to do. There was a time before last season where many thought he was in line to be called the best center on the planet. That changed with performances like the ones described above.
If he can do that, not only will the trade rumors around him disappear, but he’ll lead the Pacers back to the playoffs again, even without George, in their 2014-15 season. Indiana needs Hibbert to step up. And the only person standing in the way of him accomplishing that is himself.
Brian Neal is a contributing writer for InkOnIndy.com.