HoopsHype.com Rumors

Scott Agness: Hibbert expects 'Melo, Smith and Felton to attack the paint and pressure him to continue playing D' w/o fouling. "Defense is our backbone." Twitter @ScottAgness

Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, Roy Hibbert 

Scott Agness: David West on Roy Hibbert: "I think he's the best big defender in the league. He's anchored our defense all season." Twitter @ScottAgness

Indiana Pacers, Roy Hibbert, David West 

Teammate Paul George tried to tell him everything would be all right. Associate head coach Brian Shaw asked Hibbert if his $58 million contract was effecting him mentally. Hibbert’s final stat line in that late December game against the Hawks — 0 points and one rebound in 21 minutes, along with a bruised ego. “That was probably the lowest I’ve ever been in my career,” Hibbert said as he sat sprawled on the couch of his home in the northern suburbs of Indianapolis this week. “It was the worst game that I had played.” Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, Roy Hibbert 

Scott Agness: Hibbert on being 10th for DPOY: “I knew I wasn’t going to win it so it really didn’t matter where I placed. If you’re not 1st, you’re last.” Twitter @ScottAgness

Indiana Pacers, Roy Hibbert 

Roy Hibbert: I really don't like @Dlee042 but I really hope he has a speedy recovery. Hate to see guys get get hurt or injured. Twitter

Golden State Warriors, Indiana Pacers, Roy Hibbert, David Lee, Injuries 

David Lee: @Hoya2aPacer Good to know our dislike is mutual, that being said I appreciate the tweet Roy! Twitter

Golden State Warriors, Indiana Pacers, Roy Hibbert, David Lee, Injuries 

Wall and Hibbert eventually spoke to clear up the misunderstanding, then Hibbert and Wall announced on Twitter than the situation had been resolved. “Just spoke 2 @John_Wall n cleared up somethings. Def should have hit him up 1st before opening my mouth pause* . @John_Wall is a good dude,” Hibbert wrote on his account, @Hoya2aPacer. Wall then replied, “appreciate it big homie..never said Indy has soft bigs just said they play a soft concept in pick and roll…they got good bigs” Washington Post

Indiana Pacers, Washington Wizards, John Wall, Roy Hibbert 

Roy Hibbert didn’t like what Washington Wizard’s point guard John Wall said about the Pacers big men after they played Saturday night. Hibbert admitted that the Pacers didn’t play well enough to win and didn’t deserve to win. But he also took exception to Wall calling him out, along with the Pacers’ other frontline guys. Unprovoked, Hibbert brought out the ‘soft’ comment before getting to the punch line. “[Washington] went out there and they played hard. John Wall was determined to get around our “soft” bigs, I guess,” he said. “You have to tip your hat off to those guys. They’re changing their season around before they go fishing. “[Wall] can say what he wants to say. He’s entitled to it. He’s a good player. We have a chance to compete for a championship. They have a chance to compete for the No.1 pick.” Pacers.com

Indiana Pacers, Washington Wizards, John Wall, Roy Hibbert 

The Indiana Pacers heard all the buzz about .500 beards and Omar the barber. They made sure Omar’s clippers didn’t do any buzzing in the Dallas Mavericks’ locker room Thursday night. “We wanted to shut that s--- down,” big man Roy Hibbert said after the Pacers’ 103-78 blowout win, which guaranteed that the bearded Mavs won’t be shaving on this homestand. ESPN.com

Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers, Roy Hibbert 

Paul George joined 1070 the Fan in Indianapolis with Grady and Big Joe to talk about how Roy Hibbert’s offensive improvement has helped his game, on Metta World Peace saying he is the best defensive player in the league and what led to his growth as a player this season. On the impact that Roy Hibbert’s made on offense since the All-Star break: “It hasn’t changed much (for me) but it’s made my job easier. Now Roy is making shots down there and creating his own. That’s just freeing up the whole floor and freeing up driving lanes for myself. His emergence and him coming back around with his confidence has been great for us.” On Metta World Peace saying he is the best defensive player in the game: “He’s obviously been on the defensive team, he’s been Defensive Player of the Year so he has the recognition and everything behind him to back that up. I obviously can’t do that as of now but I’m up there. If he considers himself the best defensive player of the game, I consider myself the same. I guess a tale of two sides.” Sports Radio Interviews

Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Lakers, Paul George, Roy Hibbert, Metta World Peace 

As we interviewed David West following their bad loss to the Lakers, George Hill was a few feet away talking (pretty loud) to Roy Hibbert about the lack of Pacers fans in the building. Scott Agness (or Young Fella as I call him) from Pacers.com and I asked Hill about all the (Lakers) fans in the building. Hill didn’t back down what he was saying to Hibbert. I’ve decided to post the full transcript of what Hill said. Post your thoughts in the comment section. “It sucks. It was 70 (Lakers fans) – 30 (Pacers fans) out there. These are the same people that wants autographs after the game. We’re out there in the community. We’re doing our job, doing what we’re supposed to do on and off the court. Something has to change. I tip my hat to this team. We’ve been trouble free. Been out in the community shaking hands, we’re winning. It shouldn’t feel like an away game, especially with an important like this. Tonight, that’s what it felt like.” Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Lakers, Roy Hibbert, George Hill, David West 

“My wrist is all healed up now,” Hibbert said to 1070 The Fan in Indianapolis. “The training staff has done a good job of rehabbing my wrist, so I don’t even get treatment on that anymore. And then, my confidence in my offensive game has gone up. And myself, I’ve grabbed the big guys out there every practice and grabbing the big man coach and we do drills just to get some touch around the basket and get some reps up. I think that’s helped me out a lot, but first and foremost defense is what I always worry about.” HoopsWorld

Indiana Pacers, Roy Hibbert 

Roy Hibbert joined 1070 The Fan in Indianapolis with Grady and Big Joe to discuss being motivated to play Kevin Garnett, the improvements in his offensive game, his confidence never wavering despite his struggles offensively, his contract situation not impacting his play and the Indiana Pacers’ biggest goal right now. Are you extra juiced when Kevin Garnett comes to town? “I mean, you get to the point where I see them [Boston Celtics] as any other team, but I see him as someone in my way and I just want to go out there and play extremely hard and get this win.” Sports Radio Interviews

Boston Celtics, Indiana Pacers, Roy Hibbert, Kevin Garnett 

So, you had a physical problem in your game and not a mental problem? “Yeah, it wasn’t a mental block from the contract because my life hasn’t changed that much. I just go about my business the same way and everything like that. It was the fact that shots weren’t going in because of a certain problem and then I lost confidence a little bit in my shot and the shots I wouldn’t normally make were going in. The contract thing I hadn’t even thought about all year. It was mainly I was shooting at a higher percentage in my off hand than I was my strong hand.” Sports Radio Interviews

Indiana Pacers, Roy Hibbert 

Indiana Pacers guard Lance Stephenson couldn’t believe what he was hearing on the other end of the phone. Stephenson was upset when coach Frank Vogel called to tell him that the NBA had fined him $35,000 for his part in the skirmish against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday. But then Stephenson’s phone rang again and it was teammate Roy Hibbert calling to tell him not to worry about the fine because the center would pay it for him. The league suspended Hibbert a game for his part in the incident. “That means a lot. It means we’re together,” Stephenson said. “I was willing to help him, so he felt like he wanted to help me. I really appreciate it.” Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, Roy Hibbert, Lance Stephenson 

“I didn’t know about it until I read the paper and then I thought, ‘Wow,’ ” Pacers President Donnie Walsh said. “I haven’t seen too many teams do that, even good teams. That was a great gesture.” Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, Roy Hibbert, Lance Stephenson 

Roy Hibbert: Wasn't sure if I wanted to bring this up. But sum time has passed. What r y'all's thoughts on the pope stepping down. Twitter @Hoya2aPacer

Indiana Pacers, Roy Hibbert 

Mike Wells: Hibbert told The Indy Star that he's going to pay Lance Stephenson's $35K fine for being a good teammate and having his back. Twitter

Indiana Pacers, Roy Hibbert, Lance Stephenson 

Warriors forward David Lee and Indiana center Roy Hibbert were each suspended a game without pay for their role in Tuesday's skirmish between Golden State and the host Indiana Pacers. San Jose Mercury-News

Golden State Warriors, Indiana Pacers, Roy Hibbert, David Lee 

Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert’s status for Thursday’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers is uncertain as the NBA reviews his altercation with Golden State players during the fourth quarter of Tuesday’s game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Hibbert apologized after practice today. “My mom was a little upset,” Hibbert said. “She said I should have walked away. It’s unfortunate it happened. I watched the video and I saw there was a little kid that ran up out of his seat when all that happened. I apologize to the fans that were sitting courtside. We’re a team that loves the fans and we don’t want to scare them away.” Indianapolis Star

Indiana Pacers, Roy Hibbert