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NBA: Player Rankings – Week 14

By Jared Jackson

Jan 31, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder small forward Kevin Durant (35) reacts after receiving a foul in the first half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 31, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder small forward Kevin Durant (35) reacts after receiving a foul in the first half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /
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18. Roy Hibbert (C, Indiana Pacers) 

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, the NBA coaches sure have. Congrats to the big fella for making his first All-Star team.