Player Profile: Roy Hibbert

With just over a week left in the off-season, it’s time to take a closer look at who the Los Angeles Lakers have acquired this summer, and there was no bigger acquisition this summer than Roy Hibbert both literally and figuratively.

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While the signings of Brandon Bass and Lou Williams hold great importance for the team’s success, the trade for Hibbert gives the Lakers a rim protector they’ve been sorely missing since the departure of Dwight Howard.

Hibbert’s effectiveness near the rim will be crucial to the Lakers success this season. He’s as imposing as any center in the NBA, standing at 7′ 2″ and 278 lbs. In fact, Hibbert’s always been the biggest guy on the court, and he said as much on the Popcorn Machine podcast.

Hibbert was 5′ 7″ in the third grade and 6′ 6″ in sixth grade when he got technical fouls for dunking. That height and length has translated into one of the premier defenders in the NBA.

Last season, the Lakers had one seven-footer, Robert Sacre. The bulk of the center minutes went to Ed Davis and Jordan Hill, but both are listed at 6′ 10″ which is undersized for their position.

May 17, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) dunks the ball during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets in game seven of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. The Rockets defeated the Clippers 113-100 to win the series 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Within the Pacific Division, the Golden State Warriors have Andrew Bogut, the Sacramento Kings have DeMarcus Cousins, the Phoenix Suns signed Tyson Chandler, and the Los Angeles Clippers re-signed DeAndre Jordan.

Of the group, Cousins is the only big man listed under 7-feet, but measures 6’11” and weighs a rock solid 270 lbs. Last season, Hill’s opponent field goal percentage at the rim was 55.4 percent and Davis’ opponents made 53.9 percent of their shots.

By contrast, Hibbert gave up a paltry 42.6 percent at the rim for the 2014-15 season which was good for fourth among significant players who played at least 60 games and contested at least five shots per game.

Indiana ranked eighth in defensive efficiency behind Hibbert, and the Lakers ranked second to last. Only the Minnesota Timberwolves were worse. It’s safe to say that number should improve with Hibbert leading the charge down low.

Hibbert takes tremendous pride in his defensive proficiency. In his introductory press conference with the Lakers, Hibbert was adamant about his role with his new team.

"So my job is to make sure I clog up the paint, (provide) help-side defense, and whatever else I get on the offensive end is candy. My main presence is going to be on defense to make sure these guys know I have their backs."

Hibbert has been clear about his role as an anchor for this team from the beginning and will bring pride back to protecting the rim for this team. However, he brings less to the table offensively. Hibbert has never averaged more than 13 points in his seven-year NBA career.

Season	Age	Tm	G	MP	FG	FGA	FG%	FTA	FT%	ORB	DRB	TRB	AST	BLK	TOV	PF	PTS
2009-10	23	IND	81	25.1	4.8	9.7	.495	2.8	.754	2.2	3.5	5.7	2.0	1.6	1.8	3.5	11.7
2010-11	24	IND	81	27.7	5.1	11.0	.461	3.4	.745	2.2	5.3	7.5	2.0	1.8	2.3	3.2	12.7
2011-12 ★	25	IND	65	29.8	5.1	10.3	.497	3.7	.711	3.3	5.5	8.8	1.7	2.0	2.0	3.0	12.8
2012-13	26	IND	79	28.7	4.9	10.9	.448	2.8	.741	3.7	4.6	8.3	1.4	2.6	2.1	3.5	11.9
2013-14 ★	27	IND	81	29.7	4.1	9.3	.439	3.3	.770	2.5	4.1	6.6	1.1	2.2	1.8	3.3	10.8
2014-15	28	IND	76	25.3	4.2	9.3	.446	2.7	.824	2.1	5.1	7.1	1.1	1.6	1.4	2.8	10.6
Career			533	25.9	4.4	9.5	.464	3.0	.748	2.5	4.3	6.8	1.4	1.9	1.7	3.2	11.1

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 9/21/2015.

It’s fair to expect more offensive output from the 28th highest paid player in the league, but the way that Hibbert scores is far more important. Of Hibbert’s 710 shots last season, 61 percent came from within ten feet of the rim, and he made 48 percent of them.

Hibbert also makes an effort not to hold the ball for too long, 58.3 percent of his shots come within two seconds. He takes 37.3 percent of his shots within two and six seconds of possession. Hibbert decides quickly when to shoot and won’t stop the ball.

The area in which Hibbert is most underwhelming is rebounding. Hibbert has never been a strong rebounder given his substantial height. In fact, Hibbert has never averaged more than nine rebounds per game, despite his imposing frame.

Feb 9, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Tim Duncan (21) blocks out for rebounding position against Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert (55) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

His lack of rebounds has been attributed to the Indiana Pacers’ defensive scheme, but can only account for a portion of his struggles. Last season, Hill and Davis’ rebound percentages were higher than Hibbert despite being undersized. This will be an area of concern for the Lakers moving forward as they plan to rely on Hibbert to control the paint on the glass and around the rim.

However, Hibbert rebounds 70.9 percent of missed two point attempts, and 48 percent of Kobe Bryant‘s shots came between ten feet and the three-point line last season.

Hibbert ranked 25th in offensive rebounds with 2.1, and Davis ranked 13th in the league last season with 2.9 per game. There should be plenty of opportunity for Hibbert to improve his offensive rebounding numbers with the amount of shot attempts going up from his more offensive-minded teammates.

Lastly, Hibbert brings some veteran leadership to a team that is leaning on Julius Randle, D’Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson to develop and contribute this season. Hibbert, 28, has been in the NBA for seven seasons since leaving Georgetown. He’s made two All-Star appearances and was named to the 2013 All-Defense Second Team.

Apr 1, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) drives to the basket while Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert (55) defends during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

His ability to stay vertical and avoid fouls on players driving to the rim is an invaluable tool that young big men like Randle and Tarik Black could learn from Hibbert. That same holds true for Robert Upshaw who has shown tremendous defensive ability and hoping for a spot on the Lakers 2015 roster.

There are concerns about Hibbert’s mental strength given his very public struggles in Indiana last season. The low point of that stretch came during the 2014 NBA playoffs when Hibbert was the least efficient player in postseason history to ever make an All-Star game in the same season.

That said, Hibbert’s brought nothing but positive energy to the Lakers this summer. He even helped lead the team in a paintball gun bonding exercise last weekend.

Although the Lakers made a massive splash in the 2015 NBA Draft by drafting Russell with the second overall pick, the most important factor to the Lakers success could prove to be Hibbert.

Can he regain his All-Star level contributions? Will he bring toughness back to the paint? Can he build upon his game rather than take a step back like he did last season?

If Hibbert can once again become a force like he showed he was capable of in the 2013 Eastern Conference Playoffs, Hibbert and the Lakers could foster a promising relationship moving forward.

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