Roy Hibbert Gets My Game Ball

May 3, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert (55) and Indiana Pacers guard George Hill (3) celebrate during the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Hawks in game seven of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana won 92-80. Mandatory Credit: Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports

I’ve been a fan of Roy Hibbert for all his time here with the Indiana Pacers and I’ll be a fan of his. I’ve been the one yelling that Hibbert should continue to start, should continue to start, should continue to start.  Last night, it was like Hibbert heard me and said I’m going to back up what Stephen has been saying all along.

All that talk about Chris Copeland getting the starting role over Hibbert was just ridiculous. If anything, you would have started Luis Scola since he’s had the experience of starting, and to me, in this past series, he’s been pretty important.  Then again, it doesn’t matter who starts, but more about the finish.  You could get off to a great start, and need that right guy to come in and close out the game.  Or you could be in a hole, and need someone to bring the energy to comeback.  Hibbert is the guy that the Pacers were rolling with, and I fully support Frank Vogel’s decision to keep riding.

Plus, how would Hibbert break out of the funk he’s in if he’s sitting on the bench?  Would that give him more shot attempts?  Would that involve him at all?  That’s why I was glad to see last night Hibbert looked like the Roy that I’ve seen around here before.

Stat wise he was right where he should be.  13 points, 7 rebounds, 5 blocks.  He’s not going to average more than that when the offense is mostly going through Paul George, Lance Stephenson, and even David West at times.  If he’s able to get you more than 15 points in a game, I look at that as a good night.  If he’s able to snag down some more rebounds, even better.

I think Hibbert’s rebounding is a tough area because he either blocks out the guy completely or misses the block out and goes for the rebound.  That’s the area where he needs to work on the multi-tasking idea of blocking out and pursuing.  Then again, with his body size, I don’t even know if that’s possible.

But Roy Hibbert is a guy that does want to win and do all he can for this team. I don’t care what anyone says otherwise. If you think otherwise, you’re not paying attention to Hibbert when he’s off and on the court.  Watch him call for the ball when he’s got position.

Watch him come off the bench to congratulate a player in a time out.  Until Roy Hibbert proves me otherwise, I’m behind this guy, and I was so glad to see him put together a fine performance like he did last night.  Now it just has to keep rolling.