Lake Show Life
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Lakers: Midseason Grades for Each Player

By Cody Williams

Dec 30, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell (1), forward Brandon Bass (2) and forward Nick Young (0) celebrate against the Boston Celtics during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell (1), forward Brandon Bass (2) and forward Nick Young (0) celebrate against the Boston Celtics during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 7, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Roy Hibbert (17) returns to the bench during the second quarter of the game against the Sacramento Kings at Sleep Train Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 118-115. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Roy Hibbert (17) returns to the bench during the second quarter of the game against the Sacramento Kings at Sleep Train Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 118-115. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /

F. . C. Lakers. ROY HIBBERT

Trading for Roy Hibbert this offseason was largely a mistake from the start. The front office, to use an analogy I have many times before, attempted to use Hibbert as a band-aid on a wound that needed stitches in regard to the Lakers defense. He was brought in to protect the rim in the hopes that it would alleviate some of the pressure on the overall effort on that end of the floor. Instead, he’s not nearly the defender that he once was and the defense for this team is still abysmal.

Moreover, Hibbert on the offensive end of the floor has been an eyesore of the highest regard. The analogy of calling lumbering big men trees on the interior is a bit cliche, but Hibbert’s lack of mobility and heavy-footed offensive play both in post-up and pick-and-roll situations is accurately assessed by calling him a California Redwood.

Other than Tarik Black—who isn’t a 35-minute per game center in this league—Hibbert isn’t exactly taking away time from anyone in the frontcourt rotation so that fans can bemoan the situation. However, the fact that he’s not taking someone else’s spot doesn’t make him bulletproof to the criticism that he has earned this season. He has failed to address the primary reason he was brought into this situation on the defensive end and has been worse offensively.

Next: Marcelo Huertas

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