Pacers Talk: Is Roy Hibbert Ready?

Roy Hibbert emerged in his rookie year, proving that he can be a star at the pro level like he was back in Georgetown. Last year, the 7'2" center had averaged seven points and four rebounds per game.

Although he did play only 1,009 minutes that year, you've got to admit his numbers were very good for a rookie center. He also had a 7.94 efficiency rating, which is solid for a freshman big man as well.

When Hibbert came onto the court, he took advantage of his size and rebounded the ball whenever he got the chance to. His massive frame makes for a big "leg up," and the Pacers were very lucky to get him.

His field goal percentage and free throw percentage were solid for his skills, as he shot at a .471 clip from the field and was .667 from the foul line. To boot, he had at least one block in each of his games played, and in his last three contests of the season, he had three blocks per game.

Probably one of his best games was against the Detroit Pistons in the 80th game of the season. He had nine points, four blocks, and eight rebounds, playing very well and flashing how much he'd improved as the games went on throughout the campaign.

But that's all history; here we are already coming up on next year. The Pacers have a chance at Lakers' stud, Lamar Odom. Such an acquisition could help the team with rebounding the ball, and area in which Indiana struggled last year and just couldn't improve.

But now that we've seen Roy Hibbert's skills, is it possible for him to become the boarder of the Pacers' squad? It's a topic for some debate, perfect for Pacers Talk.

For me, Hibbert proved last year that he's a worthy center in the National Basketball Association. With the stats he posted, many fans in Indiana think he is capable of performing much, much better this year.

The trade that brought Roy is looking pretty good; he came from the Raptors, the team that originally selected him, on draft night.

Plain and simple, the Pacers are a better team with Hibbs on the court. He rebounded and blocked shots, and the group was more efficient wuth Roy in the lineup.

Among Pacers free agents this summer are a couple of big men: Rasho Nesterovic and Josh McRoberts are the players. I don't know if the Pacers can afford to keep them with their cap space.

If Nesterovic and McRoberts go, it'll be Jeff Foster, Troy Murhpy, and Roy Hibbert himself competing for starting spots. My prediction would be Murphy at starting power forward with Hibbert at the center position. 

But is he ready?

After seeing how he has performed, he can change the whole pace of the game with his skills. It could be one heck of a lineup of T.J. Ford, Brandon Rush, Danny Granger, Troy Murphy, and Roy Hibbert together. Of course, don't forget Mike Dunleavy, Jeff Foster, and Marquis Daniels, who lead the way off the pine.

Hibbert won't end up leaving the way David Harrison went. Harrison was a disaster; though he had the same frame as Hibbert and was a high draft pick, he failed to reach his peak with our club. Now he's a part of the Beijing Ducks of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA).

Such a fate could not be Roy's.

Hibbert starting means the Pacers could be a contender for the playoffs. A 40-plus-win season could be waiting for Indiana, and that's an opportunity no one would want to let down.

Hibbert is ready; it's time to bring him in.