It’s the question everybody is asking this postseason and nobody has an answer for: What’s wrong with Roy Hibbert?
Really, the Pacers’ 7-foot-2 center’s struggles date all the way back to midseason. Hibbert’s numbers have steadily fallen, dropping each month to a paltry 5.3 points per game and 3.2 rebounds in April after the All-Star tallied 13.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in December.
The Pacers would probably take those April numbers now. Hibbert’s greatest postseason contributions have been in cheerleading. He’s been held scoreless three times, without a rebound twice, and looks utterly lost on the court, completely devoid of confidence.
After Hibbert’s scoreless performance in 18 minutes in Monday’s 102-96 Game 1 loss to the Wizards, Hibbert was spoken to privately by teammates David West and Rasual Butler, according to the Pacers.com. The report described West as “fuming” and “as heated as he’s ever been,” though the two parties declined to comment.
West did say he will “keep encouraging” Hibbert and the big man has to “be a part of the fight.”
“We’re at the point where we really need Roy and we need him now,” Paul George said.
Even Tracy McGrady took a shot at Hibbert Monday night.
The former Georgetown star isn’t ready to pack it in, though.
“I got to come out and be aggressive,” Hibbert said after the loss on Monday. “I got to be a different Roy Hibbert than I have been.”