They had to pay Hibbert. They just had to.
Signing your own is important for every team, but more so for the small-market Indiana Pacers.
The Portland Trail Blazers offered center Roy Hibbert a maximum deal worth $58 million over four years and subsequently, put the Pacers, Hibbert’s team for the last four seasons, in a difficult position.
A week later, the Pacers have opted to pay their big man, first reported by Mike Wells of the Indianapolis Star. He can sign the deal as soon as Wednesday.
Hibbert has become the face of the Pacers. He produced on the court last season, averaging 12.8 points and 8.8 rebounds per game and a more impressive 11.7 points and 11.2 rebounds per game in the playoffs. In the lockout-shortened 2011-12 season, he was named to his first ever All-Star game.
Roy has become the voice of the franchise and a guy everyone can cheer for. When the team is down, he accepts full responsibility instead of walking out and ignoring reporters.
Off the court, he is a role model who has his head on straight and genuinely enjoys this community.
Hibbert started Area55 two seasons ago, providing season tickets to 55 of the loudest, most dedicated Pacers fans from teenagers to grandmothers. The section has been a strong addition to the Fieldhouse where attendance was second-to-last in the entire league last year. Roy even invited members to see a movie with him this offseason, out of his own goodwill.
Once again this summer, Hibbert teamed up with Colts defensive end Robert Mathis to host a celebrity softball game for a great cause.
‘The Big Dog,’ as he prefers to be called, also uses the offseason as a productive time to get better. He has spent time working with greats like Bill Walton and Tim Duncan. This summer, he has taken up MMA fighting to not only stay in shape, but get to another level.
For a team that doesn’t have a superstar, Hibbert willingly steps up in the locker room as such and exudes confidence and commitment that the team needs.
Simply, he deserves it.
Portland’s maximum offer put the new Pacers officials — President Donnie Walsh and General Manager Kevin Pritchard — in a tough spot. After sitting on the offer a week and meeting with other free agents, they ultimately made the right move.
Four years, $58 million.
Yes, that’s a tough number to swallow. But they had to pay the man, and move on.
If they didn’t, the franchise would be set back years. The team then becomes even less attractive for free agents, many whom wouldn’t come anyway. They would be sending a message that they rather save money than improve and win. And other young players will take notice that a stint with the Pacers, no matter how well you play, is just for the short-term.
We all agree that he’s not a max-contract guy, like LeBron, Wade or Kobe are. Having a quality, tall (7-2) and effective big man is rare in the league today. That put players, like Hibbert, at a premium. I’ve seen every NBA player up-close and personal over the last decade. And if there’s a player that can work hard and get better to play like the money he’s getting paid, it’s Big Roy.
He’s not the type of guy that will get complacent. Instead, he’ll push even further to prove he is worth every dollar.
Roy is better off remaining in Indianapolis. And the Pacers are better for bringing back their best personality and hardest-working player.
George Hill. Check.
Roy Hibbert. Check.
Indiana’s front office has taken care of their own to ensure stability and continuity. Now, their focus must be on luring a few free agents to get to the next level.