Roy Hibbert has not have heard from Kobe Bryant yet, but he is excited to be joining the Los Angeles Lakers. The new Lakers center is expecting to rebound from last year's disappointing season, and speaking at his introductory press conference, Hibbert believes he will be considered once again an elite defender.
From the Orange County Register's Bill Oram:
“I expect to play at an All-Star defensive level, and everything else will come,” Hibbert said Wednesday.
Hibbert hopes to join a storied tradition of big men to find success with the Lakers. He said he grew up studying Shaquille O’Neal and has worked out extensively with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
“He gives me the little tidbits,” Hibbert said. “I worked with him a lot last year in the summer and he keeps up with me. He always gives me some advice, some things to work on. I always ask him questions.”
To ensure that he will "play at an All-Star defensive level," Hibbert has lost 16 pounds (all that jiu jitsu worked out). Hibbert is hoping that he will now be able to play faster.
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
Smart thinking by Hibbert, who was an All-Star in the 2013-2014 season, but he may have a tough time becoming an All-Star in the West as players like Marc Gasol, DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis seem entrenched at the big man spots. However, Hibbert should excel with the Lakers, improving their low-ranking defense.
The Lakers may not make a drastic improvement this season, but they should be much improved as new players like Hibbert, Lou Williams and D'Angelo Russell along with the return of Bryant and Julius Randle will make a big difference.
H/T: SLAM
