The Boom Roundtable Discussion: “The Evolution of Roy” | 11.25.13

Roundtable Discussion: The Evolution of Roy Hibbert

How has he gone from an uncoordinated and offensively challenged college player - to walking foul machine as an NBA rookie - to this beefed up Tim Duncan- dwarfing Defensive Player of the Year candidate?

Can you remember another player mature and develop this well? What’s impressed you the most about his progress? Can he get even better?

Casey (Indianapolis, IN) - What’s impressed me most? Man. Do I pick creating the coolest home court advantage in the entire league, Area 55? Do I pick the off-season training that includes working out with Tim Duncan as well as mixed martial arts? Nah, you know what’s impressed me the most?

He’s not Dwight Howard. He wasn’t taken first overall. He hasn’t had his ass kissed at any point of his career. He’s only played for one franchise, and most likely will retire a Pacer. He didn’t demand a trade when his stock shot through the roof. He doesn’t throw his teammates under the bus. He has gotten better every single year both offensively and defensively.

And he MIGHT have to be called my third favorite #Pacer ever. It goes Reggie, Mark Jackson, and there’s a race for third between him and the incredible Paul George.

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Alex T. (Indianapolis, IN) - As far as I’m concerned, Hibbert’s development into the absolute beast that he is now can be attributed almost entirely to Frank Vogel.

Big Roy came into the league extremely raw – both physically and emotionally – and spent the first two and a half years of his career struggling both to develop his game and to overcome the relentless negativity of Jim O’Brien. As soon as JOB was canned, Vogel came in and heaped praise on his players, espousing a drastically different “build them up instead of tearing them down” approach to coaching.

Since that point, Roy’s confidence has skyrocketed and the effects can easily be seen in his development. Hell, in the first month with Vogel as his coach (February 2011), Roy’s scoring average jumped 5.8 PPG on an 11% FG% improvement over the last month under O’Brien.

There’s a reason that every time a reporter asks Roy how he feels about Vogel, his response is some variation of “I’d run through a brick wall for that man.”

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Jason (Indianapolis, IN) - Guys, look at what he’s been asked to do. We’ve seen him asked to be a stretch five and shoot threes under JOB, and then asked to be a powerhouse interior player under Vogel in Smashmouth basketball.

He’s been asked and learned how to best take advantage of his talents (Tall) and his work ethic. The man has just put in work every off season, and it shows. He realizes he’s not a ball handler, or going to out run up and down the court. Roy has been very self aware, and worked really hard. I also think our coaching staff has realized what they have, and helped guide that too.



**FANTASY WORLD** If he isn’t taken out of a crucial late game situation in Game 1 against the Heat, we may be creating a blog on the defending NBA Champion Indiana #Pacers right now.

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Tom (New York City, NY) - Agreed with what Alex and Jason said completely. It just shows how much “character” guys can really be an advantage. Looks at guys like Joakim Noah or Anderson Varejao, and how much success they’ve had (injuries notwithstanding) just by being dedicated, hard-working, good teammates, etc. Even take it back to the Davis “brothers”. Not amazingly talented or gifted NBA players, but their hard work makes them legitimate starters in the league.

In Roy’s case, he has the physical tools combined with the work-ethic and drive to succeed that the sky is the limit for him. If he can stay away from injuries and keep his weight down to prevent knee issues, there is no reason he can’t be an 15 pt / 9 rb / 3 blk / 50% FG guy well into his 30’s. The block number don’t even come close to reflecting his true presence in the paint either. No one even tries outside of the LeBrons/Roses to drive on Roy. Very few big men in history can say that.

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Tyler S. (Indianapolis, IN) - Roy’s character is what sets him apart to me, more so even than his incredible defensive skills. I think it starts with Larry Bird. Roy’s the definition of a “Larry Bird Guy.” (See also: no non sense, high work ethic guys who care about winning.)

His offensive game still lacks consistency but as long as the defense is there we don’t need 20 a night from him. A good big man in the league is rare as there are only 3 maybe 4 exceptional centers. Big advantage, Pacers.

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#boomblog | 11.25.13