Charlotte Hornets: Soldier of Misfortune

The Charlotte Hornets have recently agreed to a low-risk, high-reward deal with former all-star center, Roy Hibbert, who will look to resurrect his career this season.

At 7’2” and 270lbs, Roy Hibbert is a huge man. With two All-Star appearances, an All-Defensive Second Team nod and a previous candidate for Defensive Player of the Year, Hibbert is also a talented man. But from the outside looking in, Hibbert is also a man in decline. But is it all really his fault for the drop in production?

Clearly, there are many external factors in the decline of the man-giant that is Roy Hibbert. The Jamaican-American, who rose to stardom in the defensive scheme of the Indiana Pacers Head Coach, Frank Vogel, became a household name as well as a defensive anchor for a team many thought could rise to NBA infamy.

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However, the team could not overcome the hump and stalled short of the glory in consecutive seasons. One could only think that the constant pressure of fans to succeed would hinder anyone’s growth, whether professional or less. Regardless of the situation, Hibbert declined rapidly and became the odd man out for a Pacers organization ready for a championship. Through it all, Hibbert became frustrated with his play while also losing the favor of Larry Bird, the Pacers’ President of Basketball Operations.

After the 2014-15 NBA season, Hibbert would exercise a player option to remain with the Pacers, only to be traded to the sinking Los Angeles Lakers and their often incompetent Head Coach, Byron Scott. In what would become the Kobe Bryant farewell tour, Hibbert would suffer career lows in points (5.9PPG) and rebounds (4.9) while suffering the worst win-loss record in LA history (21-61), paving the way for an exit and further damaging the value and confidence of the once great center.

January 14, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Roy Hibbert (17) during the third quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Lakers 116-98. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Now, as Hibbert prepares to join his fourth team (only playing for three after being drafted and immediately traded from the Toronto Raptors to the Pacers in 2008), the possibility to revive his career is alive and well. With an unselfish and defensive minded team in the Charlotte Hornets, Hibbert could once again become the great player he once was.

Looking objectively, Head Coach, Steve Clifford, is a defense first coach who had consecutive successful seasons with a Charlotte team with no clear star player. Utilizing a defensive mindset and an inefficient defensive Center in Al Jefferson, the Hornets successfully made the playoffs in two out of three years.

This year, with the return of defensive specialist, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, the re-signing of defensively underrated starters, Nicolas Batum and Marvin Williams, continued improvements of Kemba Walker and the mentorship of the Hall of Fame center, Patrick Ewing, the Hornets have a chance to do something special.

Let’s relive the glory days with this video:

If Hibbert returns to form, the Hornets would have an improved defensive minded team as well as a strong and LARGER scoring option on the inside. With Walker, Batum and Williams, Hibbert will never be asked to become a top-3 scoring option for the team, but the height and strength will dare opponents to sag off and risk surrendering inside points.

Imagine the distribution of Batum with the size and strength inside from Hibbert. The shared defensive strength and prowess of MKG, Batum and Williams combined on the perimeter with Hibbert acting as the protector of the rim frustrating opponents. The Hornet’s potential for numerous lobs to a 7’2” target waiting to smash the opposing rim. The rebounds, put-backs and blocks…

There are multiple possibilities, yet they all depend on Hibbert’s ability to bounce back on a new team with playoff hopes. After a disappointing couple of seasons, the opportunity to build back up what was lost comes down to possibly one last agreement. With a 1-year/$5 Million contract, Hibbert has a chance at rebirth with an up and coming Charlotte squad. This team is clearly on its way up and Hibbert could grow into an integral part of this team or flame away faster than the project which was Lance Stephenson.

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As fans, we should believe in the moves of General Manager, Rich Cho, who brought in Batum and Jeremy Lin after down seasons of their own. After arriving, both players revived their respective careers under Steve Clifford, so who’s to say it couldn’t happen one more time in the only position of immediate need? Much is to be seen, but less is expected from this signing. However, Hibbert could surprise more than a few in the upcoming months. We shall see.

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