Roy Hibbert The Raptors Answer?

Big East, Big Man Fits Raptors Needs

Over the last couple of weeks I have talked about my choice for the Raptors first round pick. Roy Hibbert of the Georgetown Hoyas is 7 ft 2 and weighs 273 pounds. He caught my eye a couple of seasons ago and I thought that is a guy the Raptors could use. He has size and a passion for playing on the defensive end of the floor. I honestly thought he would long be gone before the Raptors got to select but thanks to an early exit from the NCAA Tournament and people a little unsure of his skills and what he will be on the next level. Raptors should have a chance to draft Roy Hibbert if they would like to do so.  Later I will look at where Roy ranks in a number of mock drafts.

I felt so strongly about Roy Hibbert that I wanted to do some extra research and get some more info. I even E-Mailed Georgetown Unversity Athletic Department. They got me in touch with Camillie Powell a staff writer at the Washington Post who has covered Hibbert through his entire NCAA Career at Georgetown. I also called on some help from close to home from are very own Raptor media in the form of Eric Smith of Fan 590 and The Coach Jack Armstrong of Raptors NBA TV. I thank all of these people for lending their informed opinions to the Dino Nation Blog. The more people that take what I do seriously the better it is for all of you that read the Dino Nation Blog. In Addition I gathered some info from a great site I found called draftexpress.com

Break Down of Roy Hibbert

The Strengths ( From Draft Express)

• Size
• Strength
• Frame
• Excellent hands
• Plays hard
• Efficiency
• Excellent passer
• Mid-range jumper
• Back to the basket scoring
• Soft touch around basket
• Basketball IQ
• Work Ethic
• Shot-blocking skills
• Overall defensive ability
• Very young for class
• Intangibles
• Experienced
• Proven at highest level of college basketball

I asked Camille Powell who has covered Hibbert since his first game with the Hoyas. If a NBA G.M called her on the phone and asked best thing about Roy (Basketball or Non Basketball Wise) and the worst thing about him. This is was her answer:

Best thing: His character. He works hard, he’s unselfish, he’s a good teammate. He’s bright and engaging and motivated.

Worst thing: Needs to be more assertive, maybe a little meaner on the court.

 

Weaknesses (From Draft Express)

• Athleticism
• Mechanical post-game
• Quickness in paint
• Lateral quickness
• Conditioning
• Assertiveness
• Lack of substantial improvement recently
• NBA teams preferring to play small-ball
• Lack of improvement from junior to senior year
• College system makes him difficult to evaluate
• Can his body handle 82 game season?
• Backup/Fringe Starter?

The Raptors need someone that can play defence and be a shot blocking force. Jamario Moon can block shots but is far from a guy that is going to strike fear in anyone. Hibbert on other hand has been all of that, even the best the NCAA had to offer like last year’s number one pick Greg Oden (who Hibbert is matched against in the photo on the left) have had to battle hard against Roy. He is almost the complete opposite of a guy like Andrea Bargnani. He may not have the skill set of a Bargnani but he does have a post game that is far more advanced from the Raptors former #1 pick overall. Hibbert brings some of the things that another former Raptor from Georgetown would bring. Jerome Williams was the Raptors energizer off the bench and used that energy all over the floor. Hibbert is far more talented than fan favorite J.Y.D but he can bring that same dog pound attitude to the defensive end of the floor. He may need to get a little meaner and nasty but who on Raptors doesn’t. Hibbert has been around the soon to be Hall of Famer and Ex-Georgetown Star Patrick Ewing. After all his son Patrick Ewing Jr. was Hibbert’s team mate. It can only help him learn from having someone like that to answer his questions. Seems to have worked well for “Superman” Dwight Howard in Orlando. Speaking of that Georgetown history where does Roy fit in that mix based on what he did at college compared to his famous alumni like Ewing Sr. So I asked Camille Powell where Roy ranks based on his college performance matched against the greatest Georgetown big men:

If you want to look strictly at what the great Georgetown big men – Ewing, Mourning, Mutombo, Harrington, Sweetney – did in college, then Hibbert ranks up at the very top, behind Ewing and perhaps Mourning. He played in one Final Four, won three Big East titles (two regular season and one tournament), and was twice named first team all-Big East.

That is high praise given the names on that list. Hibbert is a senior and that use to be a good thing when you looked at the draft. Now people seem to look down on that fact. The thinking being that if you are good enough you will leave school early. The list of early college exits grows every year. But you can learn some things in school by sticking around. I asked Camille what she felt Roy got out of coming back to play his final season with the Hoyas.:

 I think the biggest thing that Hibbert learned as a senior is how to deal with being the focal point of every opposing team – not to mention the media and the fans. Hibbert had always played alongside other talented big men, both in high school and his first three years at Georgetown, so he didn’t have to deal with double and triple-teams. There’s a certain amount of pressure and expectation that comes with being a pro – particularly one who is a high draft pick – and I think that Hibbert is more ready to deal with that, as well.

The things the Raptors should be looking for in this draft if you ask many fans and the Raptors would be 3 things:

• Rebounding
• Defence
• Toughness

So how does Mr. Hibbert fair in that respect. I asked Camille about that as well:

When you say toughness, rebounding and defense, the first Georgetown senior that comes to mind is Patrick Ewing Jr. Hibbert is a good shot-blocker – that’s something that he really takes pride in – and a decent rebounder. It might be worth noting that Hibbert’s favorite Hoya is Alonzo Mourning, who personifies those three qualities.

That last point on Alonzo Mourning, may not be something that Hibbert want to say so loud in Toronto though should he be selected. I still think many Raptor fans have not forgiven the former Georgetown star for not reporting to the Raptors as part of the Vince Carter Trade to the Nets. But still despite Raptor fans lack of love for Mourning he is a good role model as far as in on the court performance goes. Here is a interesting thought. If Mourning were to return to Raptors as a big man coach like Ewing is doing in Orlando. It may not be something he would consider or Raptor fans would be happy about but It could help Hibbert(if he were selected) and Andrea Bargnani. Not to mention he could even help Raptor star Chris Bosh to a degree. It is interesting but about as likely as Vince Carter coming back to Toronto and fans having a parade.

In looking around the various sites that make a living at breakdown drafts a few took issue with Hibbert’s work ethic. They also question if you can real get a good read on a player coming out of the Princeton Offence that the Hoyas run. Camille Powell of Washington Post responded to both of those issues:

Hibbert’s Work Ethic

One thing you cannot question about Hibbert is his work ethic. Watch film of Hibbert as a freshman and compare that to Hibbert as a senior; all of those improvements –from reshaping his body, to ironing out the way he runs, to the left- and right-handed hook shots, to the three-pointers – stem from hours of work.

The Georgetown System(Princeton Offence)

 I don’t think the Georgetown system is a hindrance – it certainly didn’t hurt Jeff Green( Sonics ). The system forces players to be well rounded and be able to read the game. Hibbert has a nice shooting touch and is a very good passer.

So what is Roy Hibbert as an NBA player. Jack Armstrong who covers the NCAA as well as the Raptors shares his opinion. Also, Eric Smith of Fan 590 and Camille Powell of Washington Post share their opinions as well:

“Roy Hibbert is a young man who has made nice strides in his time at Georgetown. He is a capable shot-blocker who rebounds the ball in a solid fashion. He’s progressing offensively and for a team that needs some size he’s a guy that you’ve got to keep an eye on particularly as the draft goes along. Wouldn’t say that he’s an impact player but he’s a good character guy who has been well-coached by John Thompson and his staff. Georgetown has had a excellent track record over the years of developing big men. I wouldn’t say that he’s in the class of Mutumbo, Ewing or Mourning nor will he flame out like Michael Sweetney but in the right situation/philosophy he can be an effective pro.”- Jack Armstrong ( Raptors TV)

He won’t be an instant star, but I think Hibbert will be a solid pro, someone who’s in the league for 10-12 years.- (Camille Powell Washington Post Staff Writer)

“Hibbert is an interesting player. He’s got good size; a solid rebounder and shot-blocker. I’m not convinced that he’s a guy that’ll come in and change your team and light the league on fire, but he can help. If he plays within himself - rebounds, blocks shots, plays defense - I think he could have a good, productive career. He has what a lot of teams are looking for - even if it’s not necessarily on a ’superstar’ level” -Eric Smith (Fan 590)

When we look at draft picks and the draft in general it is a tough thing to do. I think that by selecting Roy Hibbert you are making a safe pick and adding something this team lacks.  The Toronto Raptors are selecting at number 17 and when you pick outside of the lottery you just want a player that can be a contributor to make your team better. Roy Hibbert can do that in my opinion. He is a player that adds something to the mix that the Raptors do not have much of on it’s current roster. He is not a flashy player and despite the fact some have lost faith in him based on his senior year at Georgetown, I still feel he will be a solid NBA player that can give 20-25 minutes of solid effort. His shot blocking ability would go along way to helping one of the Raptors most glaring needs of defensive improvement. I take you back to the Raptors first ever draft. Fans wanted Ed O’Bannon of UCLA but the Raptors took Damon Stoudamire out of Arizona. In the end he went on to win Rookie of the Year and O’Bannon was a bust. Hibbert will not win Rookie of the Year but he will not be a bust ether. The point is just because a guy has some hype behind him does not always mean he is the right pick. Morris Peterson was a late first round for the Toronto Raptors that became a key player for this franchise for many years. Roy Hibbert could be the same for the Raptors or whatever team that takes a shot on him. One of the Raptors most beloved players of all time was Jerome Williams who also was a Georgetown product. Hibbert based on what he can bring could become that type of fan favorite in a reserve role for the Raptors. Sam Mitchell would be a good fit with Hibbert as well as he will push him to get the max out of what he has each and everyday.

Roy Hibbert’s Stats @ Georgetown

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Roy-Hibbert-585/stats/

 

Mock Drafts:

Draft Express-Roy Hibbert is @ 20

NBC Sports-Roy Hibbert is @ 24

Sports Projections-Roy Hibbert is @ 19

Real GM -Roy Hibbert is @ 18

NBA Draft . net -Roy Hibbert is @ 23

There is a sample of some of the many Mock drafts from around the world wide web. They are educated guessing but still give you some idea of where various players may get selected. The point as far as what this blog is talking about, is that Roy Hibbert should likely be on the board if the Raptors remain at pick # 17. Will they use that pick on the Big Man from Maryland. That will be answered at the Draft when Bryan Colangelo picks up the phone and calls in his selection. But now I hope you have some solid info to decide if you want him too say the name ROY HIBBERT of Georgetown. The Dino Nation Blogger would have no problem with that.

 

Tags: Raptors, Jack Armstrong, Bryan Colangelo, Eric Smith, Roy Hibbert, NCAA, NBA DRAFT 2008, Patrick Ewing, Patrick Ewing Jr., Raps TV, Fan 590, Washington Post, JYD, Jerome Williams, Georgetown