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NBA: Player Rankings – Week 13

By Jared Jackson

Jan 24, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony (7) reacts after scoring 62 points against the Charlotte Bobcats at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony (7) reacts after scoring 62 points against the Charlotte Bobcats at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /
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20. Roy Hibbert (C, Indiana Pacers) 

Jan 25, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert (55) posts up against Denver Nuggets center J.J.Hickson (7) during the first half against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert (55) posts up against Denver Nuggets center J.J.Hickson (7) during the first half against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

Per NBA.com, Hibbert holds opponents to just 40.9 percent shooting at the rim, the lowest number allowed by any center who has played at least 20 games this year. Everything the Indiana Pacers do in their league-best defensive scheme is designed to send offensive players to Hibbert. When they get there, the hulking center swallows them up or sends them away licking their wounds. Either way, possessions tend to end badly for opponents when Hibbert is involved. Being the best defensive player on the league’s best defensive team is at least as valuable as being the top scorer in the NBA’s most effective offense. It’s time we started acknowledging Hibbert’s value in those terms.