Making the case for Roy Hibbert

[Natebishop3]

Headcase. Malcontent. Cancer.

Right now Roy Hibbert's value is at an all-time low. This is a perfect time for a high risk/high reward trade that could actually make this team championship caliber.

What have we been talking about the past couple days? Championship teams. We don't have a LeBron. We don't have a Kobe. Everyone wants to compare us to the Detroit Pistons, but we don't have a Ben Wallace either. That team had a DPOY caliber player.

What is Roy Hibbert? He's a DPOY caliber center.

So the big question is, why did Hibbert check out on the Pacers this season? He had a good year last season, and a great postseason, so what changed? Well, the Pacers were rolling along in the first half of the season, Hibbert was an All-Star, and he was on pace for another great year. Then things started to come off the rails.

This article dropped at the end of March.
http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on...-after-recent-loss-some-selfish-dudes-in-here

"Some selfish dudes in here," Roy Hibbert muttered Friday night, after getting eight shots in the Pacers' loss to the Wizards. "Some selfish dudes. I'm tired of talking about it. We've been talking about it for a month."

"We play hard, but we've got to move the ball," Hibbert said. "Is it obvious, or what? I don't know whatever our assist ratio, or whatever it is, is in the league, but it probably isn't up there. I'm really trying hard not to spaz out right now, but I don't know. We've been talking about it for a month. I'm not handling the rock. I don't know. I've made suggestions before and we do it for, like, one game, and then we revert back to what we are. I don't know. I'm not the one to answer that question. It directly affects me and the bigs. We're just out there and it makes us look bad."

That quote came out and then Hibbert changed as a player. It's like he got pissed at how his team was playing and he checked out. Obviously that's not a great way to deal with things, but I can understand the frustration. I think if he was in the right situation, with the right teammates and the right system, he could flourish.

Don't get me wrong. I love what Rolo does, but if you add Roy Hibbert and he plays like we know he can, this team could win a championship.

 

[Wheels]

His contract could hamstring this roster way too much if he is checked out just cause he's paid. IMO the risk is too high for someone that fragile.

 

[Natebishop3]

His contract could hamstring this roster way too much if he is checked out just cause he's paid. IMO the risk is too high for someone that fragile.

Contract doesn't bother me. He's an All-Star center. After next season we have to extend Rolo anyway, and I can guarantee he's going to get more than the piddly little 6 million he's making right now.

Also, why do you think he's checked out because he's paid? He was paid last season and he put up his best numbers as a Pacer.

 

[Wheels]

Contract doesn't bother me. He's an All-Star center. After next season we have to extend Rolo anyway, and I can guarantee he's going to get more than the piddly little 6 million he's making right now.

Also, why do you think he's checked out because he's paid? He was paid last season and he put up his best numbers as a Pacer.

He's an all star center when he wants to be. A contract that high for someone who has a chance not to even show up worries me.

I'm not sure that's why he checked out. I have no idea whether it's cause he's paid or cause bad teammates, or what... But that is too much of a question to give up whatever we (probably) would have to, to make salaries match IMO.

 

[cmeese47]

Rumors were about someone sleeping with his wife which would certainly cause a distraction.

 

[Natebishop3]

He's an all star center when he wants to be. A contract that high for someone who has a chance not to even show up worries me.

I'm not sure that's why he checked out. I have no idea whether it's cause he's paid or cause bad teammates, or what... But that is too much of a question to give up whatever we (probably) would have to, to make salaries match IMO.

Championships Wheels. Sometimes you have to roll the dice. Do you think our team, as its currently constructed, could win one?

 

[Wheels]

Championships Wheels. Sometimes you have to roll the dice. Do you think our team, as its currently constructed, could win one?

Nope I don't think so. But I wouldn't say the window to be able to add the needed pieces is almost shut. To me gambles like this, where you need to tear everything down if it doesn't work, are reserved for last chances at championship runs.

 

[Wheels]

Also Hibberts numbers have started to decline since he's gotten paid it seems. Ppg, rbpg, and most troubling to me is field goal percentage. wtf Roy??? http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hibbero01.html

 

[Natebishop3]

Nope I don't think so. But I wouldn't say the window to be able to add the needed pieces is almost shut. To me gambles like this, where you need to tear everything down if it doesn't work, are reserved for last chances at championship runs.

Why do you think we would have to tear everything down? Hibbert has two years left on his deal, one of which is a player option. I don't think that's tearing things down. Let's say we trade Rolo and Wes to get him, both those players are free agents after next season. They're both due a bigger payday. I think you're overstating the risk. Sure, we gamble on losing a couple of talented guys, but Hibbert is a guy who can really change a game with his defense. Plus, he's a legit 7'2 center, monster of a man.

 

[donkiez]

On paper Im with you, but I think its just such a gamble with our delicately built chemistry that I don't think I would do it though. I mean look at Indy they were successful largely because they had a special chemistry, kind of like us right now. Im not a big fan of anyone who deals with any situation by just "checking out", that's a huge character flaw especially on the NBA level, and I would worry that the same problems would arise here with him around. Add that to what we would probably have to give up to get him, Ive heard Mathews and Rolo, yuck there goes OUR heart players to be replaced with the biggest question mark in the NBA.

 

[Wheels]

Maybe another reason for decline isn't that he's paid or a head case, is teams have figured out how to guard him then... I'm not sure, as nine of us are, but that to me just adds more questions.

 

[Natebishop3]

On paper Im with you, but I think its just such a gamble with our delicately built chemistry that I don't think I would do it though. I mean look at Indy they were successful largely because they had a special chemistry, kind of like us right now. Im not a big fan of anyone who deals with any situation by just "checking out", that's a huge character flaw especially on the NBA level, and I would worry that the same problems would arise here with him around. Add that to what we would probably have to give up to get him, Ive heard Mathews and Rolo, yuck there goes OUR heart players to be replaced with the biggest question mark in the NBA.

Both of those players are unrestricted free agents after next season. We could potentially lose both of them for nothing.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

I'd do it.

hoop fam

 

[Natebishop3]

Maybe another reason for decline isn't that he's paid or a head case, is teams have figured out how to guard him then... I'm not sure, as nine of us are, but that to me just adds more questions.

Guard him or don't guard him, we would be bringing him in for his defense. Teams are going to be worried about Dame and LA, not Roy Hibbert. It's not like Robin Lopez was a huge part of our offense this season. There were stretches where we would go through him, but he wasn't one of our main options.

 

[Wheels]

Why do you think we would have to tear everything down? Hibbert has two years left on his deal, one of which is a player option. I don't think that's tearing things down. Let's say we trade Rolo and Wes to get him, both those players are free agents after next season. They're both due a bigger payday. I think you're overstating the risk. Sure, we gamble on losing a couple of talented guys, but Hibbert is a guy who can really change a game with his defense. Plus, he's a legit 7'2 center, monster of a man.

Fair enough. I thought he had more years. But to me it's still not worth it with those questions. Assuming we resign LMA to the max to keep this window open. If Hibbert is bad hibbert that means we have a ton of money tied into a 32 year LMA, and Lillard will need to get paid for sure. To me that's not a good enough "big 3" to go places and fill out the rest of the roster with vet FAs. What would be the combined shooting % of that big 3, 43%

 

[Wheels]

Guard him or don't guard him, we would be bringing him in for his defense. Teams are going to be worried about Dame and LA, not Roy Hibbert. It's not like Robin Lopez was a huge part of our offense this season. There were stretches where we would go through him, but he wasn't one of our main options.

I'm not saying he has to put up 20 a game. But you can't have no production at all from your starting center. Lopez when no plays at all are ran for him still had the effort and ability to get some production.

 

[donkiez]

Both of those players are unrestricted free agents after next season. We could potentially lose both of them for nothing.

Potentially means maybe and if things blow up with Hibbert then we definitely lose LA. Besides I think we resign Rolo no matter what it takes, hes a cult hero here now and a pretty damn good center with room for growth. Before this season Hibbert was my dream center for us but now he just scares me, and for us I don't think he is worth the gamble. I think a team like the Pelicans or Lakers is better suited to gamble on a player like Hibbert.

 

[Natebishop3]

Fair enough. I thought he had more years. But to me it's still not worth it with those questions. Assuming we resign LMA to the max to keep this window open. If Hibbert is bad hibbert that means we have a ton of money tied into a 32 year LMA, and Lillard will need to get paid for sure. To me that's not a good enough "big 3" to go places and fill out the rest of the roster with vet FAs. What would be the combined shooting % of that big 3, 43%

Here's the thing, I guarantee we end up paying Rolo around 10 million a year to keep him. Wes is currently making 7 million a year. He'll at least get that. If Rolo is getting 10 million and Hibbert is getting 13 or 14 million, is it really that big of a deal?

 

[Natebishop3]

Potentially means maybe and if things blow up with Hibbert then we definitely lose LA. Besides I think we resign Rolo no matter what it takes, hes a cult hero here now and a pretty damn good center with room for growth. Before this season Hibbert was my dream center for us but now he just scares me, and for us I don't think he is worth the gamble. I think a team like the Pelicans or Lakers is better suited to gamble on a player like Hibbert.

I don't think Lopez has a lot of room for growth. I think this is pretty much what we're going to get from him, which is totally fine. I really like Rolo. I think he's a damn good player. I think he's going to get paid though, and I think Hibbert could be the kind of guy that could get us over the top. Rolo is a role player.

 

[Wheels]

Here's the thing, I guarantee we end up paying Rolo around 10 million a year to keep him. Wes is currently making 7 million a year. He'll at least get that. If Rolo is getting 10 million and Hibbert is getting 13 or 14 million, is it really that big of a deal?

From a production standpoint if it still is mental with Hibbert (again I don't know)... Then absolutely yes it's huge.

 

[Natebishop3]

From a production standpoint if it still is mental with Hibbert (again I don't know)... Then absolutely yes it's huge.

Hibbert has been in the league for six seasons. This is the first time this kind of thing has come up. He's a perennial All-Star. I get the concern, but come on... he deserves another chance.

 

[riverman]

What I like about Rolo over Hibbert is his freethrow shooting and the fact he doesn't need touches or complain if he's not in the offensive scheme. Rolo also has only one year with the Blazers under Stotts system. I think Rolo will be even better next season. Joel Freeland when healthy kept the bench in games and we were killing it when he came off the bench before his injury. He was sorely missed in the playoffs and not in game shape. Expect Freeland to make another leap before the next season begins. If Leonard improves defensively he also makes his freethrows and shoots well. Rolo, Freeland and Leonard if all improve going into next season could prove that cap space and roster spots can be filled in other areas better than another big. Hibbert is a gamble, but I'll bet Neil is considering it.

 

[Sinobas]

10 mil for lopez?

 

[Draco]

No chance I trade any of our starters for him, terrible message to our team and a real risk of that backfiring. But if we can get him for backups and an unprotected draft pick I do it. Send a guy like TRob or CJ, Freeland, Wright to a third team which opens up cap space for the Pacers. They need a PG and to keep Lance they don't have the space for that right now.

We are over the cap this next year then Hibbert will be an expiring contract so we can get away from his deal if it doesn't work out. Him and Rolo can both play 24mins a game fine. Hibbert has asthma and shouldn't play more than that, he was physically fresh at the start of the year. LMA and Hibbert are good friends. With Paul George impregnating ladies and Lance antics that Pacers group was fragile, I'd be willing to take a gamble on Hibbert returning to form but only if we acquire him at a discount. If another team wants to pay more or Indy wants to stand pat that's fine, we don't have to make any moves.

 

[Natebishop3]

10 mil for lopez?

Pekovic is getting 12 million a year. Hibbert is getting 13 million a year.

Yeah... I think Rolo will get around 10.

 

[riverman]

My bench wish list.
Patty Mills
Will Barton
Boris Diaw
TRob
Joel Freeland

 

[donkiez]

I don't think Lopez has a lot of room for growth. I think this is pretty much what we're going to get from him, which is totally fine. I really like Rolo. I think he's a damn good player. I think he's going to get paid though, and I think Hibbert could be the kind of guy that could get us over the top. Rolo is a role player.

When I heard Indy and Hib were talking trade my first thought was pretty much everything you've brought up so I can appreciate the discussion, to bad both is not a realistic option. I guess for me it really comes down to what really happened in Indiana this year? Its all still a big mystery but at the moment Hibbert is the one looking bad to me. When he is good though he is good and Hibbert really is the perfect center to pair with LA.

I also consider Rolo more than a role player for us, his heart and game is very hard to reproduces at 7 feet in the NBA and I can only name a handful of centers I would rather have at the moment. Also his personality fits in with the team and city and I get the feeling that he really likes Portland, which goes a long way IMO since we are not South Beach or Broadway.

 

[Natebishop3]

When I heard Indy and Hib were talking trade my first thought was pretty much everything you've brought up so I can appreciate the discussion, to bad both is not a realistic option. I guess for me it really comes down to what really happened in Indiana this year? Its all still a big mystery but at the moment Hibbert is the one looking bad to me. When he is good though he is good and Hibbert really is the perfect center to pair with LA.

I also consider Rolo more than a role player for us, his heart and game is very hard to reproduces at 7 feet in the NBA and I can only name a handful of centers I would rather have at the moment. Also his personality fits in with the team and city and I get the feeling that he really likes Portland, which goes a long way IMO since we are not South Beach or Broadway.

I just wouldn't be surprised if Neil went after Hibbert. He wanted him two summers ago, and if he's on the market, I wouldn't be shocked to see Neil make a play.

 

[Draco]

Pekovic is getting 12 million a year. Hibbert is getting 13 million a year.

Yeah... I think Rolo will get around 10.

If he has a repeat performance from last season Rolo will definitely make over $10 million a year. Cap is going up and there are always a shortage of effective bigs. Could be close to the max. I'd like us to extend Rolo and Wes this summer so we don't get stuck having to overpay.

I'd be fine with keeping Hibbert and Lopez, it would only be one year they both have huge contracts at the same time, and thats the final season before a Damian extension takes effect.

 

[Natebishop3]

If he has a repeat performance from last season Rolo will definitely make over $10 million a year. Cap is going up and there are always a shortage of effective bigs. Could be close to the max. I'd like us to extend Rolo and Wes this summer so we don't get stuck having to overpay.

I'd be fine with keeping Hibbert and Lopez, it would only be one year they both have huge contracts at the same time, and thats the final season before a Damian extension takes effect.

I don't think Neil is going to extend anyone this summer. He specifically talked about keeping cap flexibility for next summer.