Charlotte Hornets’ associate head coach and NBA Hall of Fame center, Patrick Ewing, can help bring out the best in Roy Hibbert this season.
After a career worst season with the Los Angeles Lakers last year, Roy Hibbert is getting a chance to redeem himself with the Charlotte Hornets in 2016. The two-time all-star will be looking to revitalize his career with his new team. Associate head coach, Patrick Ewing, should have a huge impact on the redevelopment of Hibbert.
The 29-year old center was once one of the best big men in the Eastern Conference and maybe in the league just a few short seasons ago. He still has the ability to be a great defensive presence as he was with the Indiana Pacers. Even after a down year, Roy may get the starting role for the Hornets this season. It will be a competition between him and Cody Zeller during training camp and preseason.
The 7’2 big man averaged a career-low 5.9 points per game, 4.9 rebounds per game, and 1.4 blocks per game this past season. One positive takeaway from his season with the Lakers is that Hibbert played in 81 games and averaged 23.2 minutes per game. He should be able to bounce back with a better team around him in Charlotte and playing in a scheme that better suits his style of play.
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Learning From a Hall of Fame Big Man
One key to Roy’s success with the Hornets will be Patrick Ewing. The Hall of Fame center is the associate head coach for Charlotte and can teach Hibbert plenty of new moves on both the offensive and defensive ends of the court. During his time with the New York Knicks, Ewing was one of the best all-around big men in the NBA and now he can help the team’s new addition regain his all-star level form.
Hibbert signed a one-year $5 million deal this summer with the Hornets in hopes of reinvigorating his career with Charlotte. Patrick Ewing will work alongside Roy for the entire season and there is no doubt in my mind that Patrick will have a huge impact on Hibbert. It is clear that Ewing is one of the best teachers in the league and one of the best coaches because many teams from around the NBA interviewed him to become their head coach this offseason.
Ewing was a great scoring big man during his playing career but he was also a great interior defender. Hibbert made his name on the defensive end but he will need to play much better than he did last season. Anything that Patrick can teach Roy on the offensive end is a plus but he could help him become one of the best rim protectors in the NBA with some growth and development in his game this year. Hibbert has the size, strength, and ability to be a top-level defensive center and with the help of Ewing, his game could take the next step with the Charlotte Hornets who are already a great defensive team.
Georgetown Connection
Both Ewing and Hibbert attended Georgetown University during their college careers. Patrick played at the school from 1981-1985 where he won a National Championship (1984), was named the College national player of the year (1985), and was a three-time first team all-american. Hibbert also attended the school for four years from 2004-2008. Roy was a second-team all-american in 2008 and was twice named to the first-team all-Big East (2007, 2008).
It may not seem like a big deal, but the Georgetown connection between the two big men can be important in their relationship. “Hibbert says that associate coach Pat Ewing has been an uncle to him. Has known him since he was 13 years old.” (Hornets PR) With Ewing being his long-time mentor and even dating back to Hibbert’s college days, the two probably have a great relationship and that will be huge for Roy this season.
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It will be interesting to see how Hibbert plays under Ewing and Steve Clifford this season. I fully expect him to bounce back from last year and play much better with the Charlotte Hornets. Patrick’s coaching excellence and experience from his Hall of Fame career should have a positive impact on Roy going forward and bring out the best in him to return to an all-star level.