Roy Hibbert will begin his eighth NBA season with the Lakers.
The Los Angeles Lakers officially introduced Roy Hibbert as one of their own Wednesday afternoon at a press conference, along with newcomers Lou Williams and Brandon Bass.
Hibbert has remained very quiet since his seventh and final season in Indianapolis concluded in mid-April. He quietly left and headed to Los Angeles for the summer. He did not return in June for the annual Caroline Symmes Celebrity Softball Challenge, which he has co-hosted with Robert Mathis of the Colts since 2010.
At the season-ending press conference, Pacers President Larry Bird provided his opinion on the center’s play in 2014-15: “I didn’t think he played that well, to be honest. “… If he comes back, we’re probably going to play a different style, and I can’t guarantee him anything. He’ll have to earn it.”
That different style favors smaller, more athletic lineups that can raise the tempo.
Hibbert exercised his player option by the June 29th deadline, guaranteeing him the final year of his four-year maximum deal signed in 2012 for $58 million. In the final year, he’ll make $15.5 million. But he knew it wasn’t going to be with the Pacers. They had moved on.
On July 9th, the Pacers finalized a deal with the Lakers to send Hibbert to the West Coast in exchange for a future second-round pick. That may seem like a very low value for a two-time NBA All-Star, even one whose play had been underwhelming the last few years. But what the Pacers gained was important cap space that allowed them to sign guys like Monta Ellis, Jordan Hill, Rodney Stuckey, and take on the contract of Chase Budinger.
My interview request to talk with Hibbert to put a cap on his time in Indy and all he did for the community was not answered.
At the introductory press conference, Hibbert spoke for the first time publicly about his new situation, Bird’s comments, and more.
Opening remarks…
First and foremost, I’m excited to be here. I’m ready for a fresh start. I appreciate the Lakers getting me out here. I’m going to work extremely hard to make sure the Lakers get back to where they should be.
On moving to a new situation…
I spent the first seven years in Indiana. It was some great years. Up and down. Sometimes you have to embrace change. They wanted to go in a different direction and I understand that. It’s a business. I’m really happy that I was able to land with a team that has such a rich tradition of big guys and have a winning tradition as well. So, I always say embrace change.
On the personal challenges and adversity he’s had to overcome…
With an NBA season, obviously with key pieces being out, things didn’t go as well as they should of on my end and with the team. That’s in the past. As of right now, I’m looking forward to the future.
On what his defensive presence can do for the Lakers and what he expects offensively…
In the past, I was asked to do a little bit of both. Looking at the team here, they have a lot of firepower. I can’t even stop this guy (Lou Williams) when I played against him, in terms of scoring. My main presence is going to be at the rim. I believe last year the Lakers were, what, 28th in defensive efficiency. My job is to make sure I clog up the paint, help-side defense, and whatever else I get on the offensive end is candy. My main presence is going to be on defense to make sure these guys know I have their backs out there.
On waiving $2.2 million in trade bonuses to help the Lakers…
That was a no-brainer. Indiana wanted to go in a different direction, wanted to go younger and the Lakers wanted me so I said, ‘Who wouldn’t want to be in L.A.’ That was a no-brainer. I talked it over with my agent and I didn’t think twice about it.
On his realistic expectations for himself and the team next season…
I want to get back to playing at the ability that I have been the past couple of years. I’ve had ups and downs but I feel like the Lakers community, the franchise, the management, the coaches, the training staff really believe in me. I’m going to put my best foot forward and be a defensive presence as much as possible.
On what happened last year after being an All-Star the year before, and David West standing up for him…
I appreciate David West stepping up and talking for me on my behalf. I’ve had long talks with my agent and to tell you the truth, like I said before, I appreciated the time I had in Indy but I’m going to get back to playing at an All-Star level and I don’t want to dwell on the past too much. I’m looking forward to the future.
On the Lakers’ history of big men and who he molded his game after growing up…
Shaq was one of my favorites when I was growing up. I’ve talked to him from time to time, a year or two ago. Kareem (Abdul-Jabbar) reaches out to me. He comes to watch my workouts and we stay in touch for the most part. He gives me little tidbits. I worked with him a lot last year during the summer and he keeps up with me. He always gives me some advice, gives me some things to work on. I always ask him questions.
On what he got out of working with Kareem…
Taking up space, having a defensive presence, just a lot of the mental side of playing basketball as well. Just some stuff off the court as well.
On using the rule of verticality to his advantage…
Defense is something that you can control. I try to pride myself on being able to be one of the best rim protectors. That translates, whether it’s where I was playing last year (or) playing here. I think that should be able to help the team out as much as possible.
On how he views being in a contract year…
Man, I’m just happy to be here. I’m not going to put too much pressure on myself to force the issue. I’m just going to do whatever I can and you’re going to see that out there.
On if he’ll look to get involved in more Hollywood ventures while out in L.A…
No, I’m focused right now on making sure I get back to playing at the ability I’m capable of. And, one of the first things my agent talked to me about what not getting caught up in the Hollywood stuff. I’m pretty grounded so right now, just straight basketball.
On if any of them had heard from Kobe Bryant…
(silence)
[Former Laker Jordan Hill shares what Hibbert is in store for with Kobe]
On settling down in Los Angeles…
After last season, myself and my wife moved out here. And then I knew I was going to get traded at some point, but didn’t think it’d be to this place. I moved here during the summer so that worked out pretty well compared to the other places I could have gone. Like I said, I’m excited to be here but I’m eventually start looking for a place close to the practice facility because the traffic here is definitely different than it is in Indiana.
(laughs)
[Watch the entire press conference for yourself at this link.]
Big Roy getting in some #LakersWork with @tdathletesedge before meeting with the media. pic.twitter.com/x0JlxVPJod
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) July 22, 2015
Roy Hibbert changed his diet and told me he dropped 16 pounds from his playing weight last season, down from 283 to currently 267.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) July 22, 2015
Part of Hibbert’s goal in dropping so much weight is to get a bit quicker and adapt to how the league has gotten smaller.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) July 22, 2015