Indiana Pacers: Why Roy Hibbert Will Help Them Contend in the Eastern Conference

By 2020, Roy Hibbert is going to be averaging 68.7 points and 20.5 rebounds a game. Pretty good numbers, right? 

Unfortunately the Pacers didn't find Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shaq's love child. What they do have though, is not only one of the league's top young centers, but also a player with a strong work ethic who still has untapped abilities.

Think another version of Alonzo Mourning, Patrick Ewing, Dikembe Mutombo. The way the latest Hoya is playing, Hibbert has a chance to add to Georgetown's legacy of producing All-Star NBA centers. 

Hibbert has always been a labeled a "project." In high school he was too slow and stiff. Coming to college he was too soft and passive. At different times in the pros he's been labeled a combination all of the above. Unlike so many other projects, however, Hibbert has consistently proven the doubters wrong.

For a guy at 7'2", the big fella is pretty sneaky. Only averaging 5.1 and 3.5 rebounds his first year at Georgetown, he surprised the Big East by doubling both totals by going for 11.6 PPG and 6.9 rebounds the following season. 

By his junior year he was the preseason favorite for Big East Player of the Year (an honor later given to teammate Jeff Green).

After a highly successful four-year career at Georgetown, Hibbert slipped to 17th in the draft, arriving in Indiana through a draft-day trade. Again, questions dogged him and again a tame first year added fuel to the critics' fire. 

Instead, Hibbert went about his business as usual, methodically improving his game and increasing his athleticism. In only his third season (second as the full-time starter), the Pacers are already reaping the rewards.

Last year, Hibbert raised his average to 12.7 points and 7.5 rebounds while playing 28 minutes a game.

In each season, in both college and the pros, Hibbert has raised both his PPG and RPG taking his game to new levels.

Regrettably, 68 and 20 isn't going to happen. Eventually, Hibbert's continued improvement is going to have to slow and flatten out. What should Indiana expect next year? Has he maxed out on his potential? 

Far from it. At 24 years of age, Indiana's center of the future and one of its core foundations in its rebuilding project is just hitting his prime.

Working out with Bill Walton last summer, Hibbert showed an improved offensive repertoire adding a mid-range game and more explosive moves in the paint. He also benefited from a continued dedication to conditioning, using it to stay on the court longer than the previous two seasons. 

This coming winter, look for a breakthrough season from the former Hoya. A strong rebounder, with enhanced offensive skills and his massive size, Hibbert should be able to dominate down low.

After taking over midway through the season Coach Vogel made running the offense through Hibbert a priority (a philosophy the Pacers forgot during the playoffs). 

There is a reason why. In the Pacers 37 wins, Hibbert averaged 14.5 points, 3.4 more a game than during Indiana's 44 losses.  

But it's not only Hibbert's hard work and dedication that will pay off. The Pacers continuity will also help the young center. With the point guard of the future in Darren Collison settled into his role as creator of the offense, and with one more year for the Pacers to gel as a unit, Hibbert should find his comfort level and establish more of a leadership role in the offense. 

As the aforementioned stats show, the more Hibbert demands the ball, the better the Pacers' chances.

He might never reach 68 and 20 a night, but look for Hibbert to dramatically add to his average totals. Don't be surprised if "Big Roy" puts up 18-plus points a night and makes a double-double in the stat column a common affair.

If so, like their center, Indiana might blossom into a contender and a force to be reckoned with in the East.