Larry Bird thinks maddeningly inconsistent center Roy Hibbert needs a "Hall of Fame mentor" to raise his game to the next level.
Hibbert averaged 12 points and eight rebounds this season, but after the All-Star Game saw his numbers dip to nine points and five rebounds. During the Pacers' Eastern Conference Finals playoff run, Hibbert hit an an even lower stretch by setting a record for an All-Star player posting zero points, zero rebound games in the same season he was tabbed as one of the league's best.
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"Roy's never asked us to go bring someone in," the Pacers president of basketball operations told ProBasketballTalk.com. "I always say big guys are different. I would encourage Roy to try to get with one of the greats. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is one of the best teachers. Bill Walton is great. They know how to play the position as well as anyone ever has. I would encourage that."
In summer pasts, Hibbert has frequently worked out with San Antonio Spurs Hall of Fame bound center Tim Duncan, but there were clearly points this season when it was apparent the former Georgetown star had lost both his way and technique.
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"When Roy loses his confidence, he struggles at times," added Bird. "I hope he can come back strong. I hope he can do the things necessary to get better."
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