Jul 10, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Robert Upshaw (12) is blocked out by Minnesota Timberwolves forward Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during an NBA Summer League game at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
A High Motor Is Essential
The one thing that Upshaw can learn from Hibbert’s flaws is the importance of having a motor as a big man. One of Hibbert’s most obvious problems on the court is that he tends to take plays off and remove himself out of the game. Look no further than the 2014 Eastern Conference Semi-Finals, when Hibbert recorded zero points and zero rebounds in 18 minutes of play in Game 1 of the series. Given Hibbert’s size and touch down low, there is absolutely no excuse for him to have that little impact on a game.
Defense is all about effort, and while Hibbert is one of the most talented shot blockers in the league, he’d be even better if he had the energy of say, DeAndre Jordan. Sure Jordan is an athletic freak, but it’s his non-stop motor that makes him the player he is on the glass and as a rim protector. Guards can get away with taking a few plays off, but big men who don’t give it their all tend to take the most heat.
Dwight Howard, Andrew Bynum, and even our beloved Pau Gasol, and almost any big man you can think of has been criticized for their lack of intensity and effort on both ends of the floor.
This can be a win-win situation for Upshaw’s learning experience from Roy Hibbert. If Hibbert continues to take plays off, Upshaw will learn the consequences of not going 100% in this league, and if Hibbert does up his energy, Upshaw can learn the dominant presence of a physically gifted big man who has no off-button.
Upshaw is listed at seven feet tall, with nearly a 7’6″ wingspan, an absolute freak. It’d truly be a shame if this gift of a body was put to waste due to his streaky history of character issues and taking plays off.
Upshaw’s potential is through the roof. If he can learn to protect the paint without piling up fouls, hit his free throws, and give 110% at all times, we are looking at a scary big man in the future.