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Los Angeles Lakers: How Roy Hibbert Can Have A Successful Season

By Jackson Sanders

January 4, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) meets with Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert (55) following the 88-87 victory at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
January 4, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) meets with Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert (55) following the 88-87 victory at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Roy Hibbert is a two-time NBA All-Star and potential defensive anchor. For the rebuilding Los Angeles Lakers, he is a commodity; though anyone residing in Indiana may refute that notion.

That is because Hibbert was discarded from the Indiana Pacers this offseason in exchange for a measly second-round pick. His former team wanted to play at a faster pace, and the lumbering 7’2” center just doesn’t move that way. Throw in his hefty $15 million-dollar salary, and they couldn’t move on from the big guy fast enough.

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It’s debatable whether Roy Hibbert landed in a better situation career-wise. The Lakers are undergoing a massive rebuild, a situation where role players typically fail to get much recognition. For a guy in need of a revamped image and some momentum heading into the free agent market next summer, playing on a team destined to win less than 30 games may not be exciting.

Never a dynamic offensive contributor — and unlikely to become one with the cache of gunners on the Lakers’ roster — Hibbert will be hard-pressed to put up gaudy numbers. That could end up further hurting him, especially if the Lakers are as bad as many think they will be next year.

However, there are still ways that Roy Hibbert can make 2015-16 a successful campaign for himself, setting the stage for a payday after the season.

Block Everything

Would you believe me if I told you that the 2014-15 Lakers — who started a combination of Ed Davis and Jordan Hill at power forward and center — finished the season 29th in the NBA in defensive rating? Okay, it’s not that hard to believe, but it’s true. If Roy Hibbert can solidify the Lakers’ defensive efforts down-low.

In 2014-15, Roy Hibbert held opponents to 42.6 percent shooting at the rim. Ed Davis had a 53.9 percent mark, while Jordan Hill let opponents tee-off to the tune of 55.4 percent per game. That difference alone should improve the Lakers’ abysmal defense, but that is only one half of the equation.

The Lakers projected starters at the other four positions are D’Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson, Kobe Bryant, and Julius Randle. Put another way, Hibbert will share the floor with a 19-year-old rookie (Russell), a second-year guy (Clarkson), a player who hasn’t played defense in years (Kobe), and an undersized power forward in essentially his rookie year (Randle).

The foursome does not project as a promising defensive unit.

That means Roy Hibbert will have the opportunity to clean up a ton of mistakes. At times, it will make him look bad — he’s supposed to be the anchor of the defense, and if it struggles, he’ll take blame — but at other times he will be able to swoop in for blocks if he rotates correctly.

There is a great chance that Hibbert is among the league leaders in blocks, even if the Lakers give up points in bunches.

Mentor The Young-Guns

Roy Hibbert understands adversity. Whether it was being the scapegoat for the Pacers’ failures in the playoffs two seasons ago, or publicly told about a reduction in role, Hibbert has dealt with his fair share of challenging situations off-the-court.

Feb 6, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers guard George Hill (3) is congratulated by center Roy Hibbert (55) after scoring against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats Cleveland 103-99. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 6, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers guard George Hill (3) is congratulated by center Roy Hibbert (55) after scoring against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats Cleveland 103-99. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

Julius Randle, Jordan Clarkson, and D’Angelo Russell sit atop the second highest pedestal in Los Angeles right now (Kobe is the first and it’s not close). They are the assets that Laker fans covet, even more so after an electric rookie season from Jordan Clarkson. Expectations will be high for the core of the future.

And, at some point, lofty expectations will mean some disappointment. The fans may get on the young guys, the media may join in — hell, Byron Scott may even take part if last season was any indication. The noise will come from somewhere, and it will be something different from what many of these guys have experienced.

Becoming a leader to the future of the Lakers franchise would be a huge contribution from Roy Hibbert. And could mean that the team looks to be the one that pays him this summer.

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