Fantasy Feast for Roy Hibbert owners

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Last season, Roy Hibbert averaged 12 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1.6 blocks per game. Not exactly an overwhelming line but it is impressive when you consider the fact that Hibbert averaged only 25 minutes per game. At first glance at the game logs, it may appear that it was due to Indiana Coach Jim O’Brien’s indecisiveness with the Pacer lineup, as Hibbert played less than 15 minutes in numerous contests. However, after playing sparingly in his rookie season, Roy’s conditioning seemed to affect his production, thus limiting his court time. So, what will be different about this year?

Well for starters, Roy Hibbert has been working hard this off-season on both his post moves and conditioning. Yahoo! Sports reported that Hibbert has trimmed down his body fat to 10% and CBS Sports reported that he has been training with Hall of Famer Centre Bill Walton in an effort to improve his game. His daily workout includes weight lifting, cardio work, boxing, kickboxing, and basketball drills. After one of his gruelling workouts, Hibbert seemed confident, stating “my conditioning is going to be on point next season.”

Listed at 278 lbs and 7 foot 2, six rebounds per game sounds like he underachieved, but his rebounds numbers (or lack thereof) are directly related to the lack of minutes last year. Although offensive boards and some defensive rebounds take a lot of strength, positioning, jumping ability, and effort, other boards are simply a direct result of getting minutes. Power Forwards and Centers grab a few uncontested rebounds every game off free throws shot by their opponents. If he sticks to his diet and intense training regimen, he will see an increase in minutes and in turn rebounds.

In fact, if we take Hibbert’s per game averages from last year and extrapolate them over 35 minutes, the former Georgetown Hoya would average 16.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 2.3 blocks. These are Al Jefferson-type numbers, except that Hibbert would double Jefferson in the ever scarce block category. Al Jefferson is currently ranked among the top 10 centers, while Hibbert is often the 30^th Center drafted in head-to-head leagues.

The former 17^th overall pick provides above average percentages for his position. Last year he shot 50% from the field and made 75% of his free throws. Keep in mind this was achieved without a true point guard on the roster. In addition to Danny Granger demanding all of the opponents’ attention, Darren Collison should have a positive effect on Hibbert’s field goal percentage. Collison’s lane penetration (something that was absent in last year’s Pacers team) should lead to a few easy shots for the Pacer Center each game.

Roy Hibbert’s situation, skills, and conditioning have improved, but his ranking and average draft position seems to solely reflect last season’s statistics. He is currently being taken as a 3^rd Center for fantasy teams but has the upside of a C2. Bump him up your draft board.

Written by Justin Hasan exclusively for WinMyFantasyLeague.com

Comment below or e-mail him at jhas@winmyfantasyleague.com

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