So I went with Hibbert

It came down to a 50-50 decision between Mario Chalmers and Hibbert (with Courtney Lee as a darkhorse), and I went with the big guy. Rush, Speights and CDR were already off the board.

almost 4 years ago Mike Prada 9 comments 0 recs |

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After our discussion on this topic I went and read as much draft information on Hibbert I could find and have come to the conclusion he could come in and help this team right now. Would be great back up for Haywood and in some ways he reminds me of Haywood. Great Job!

by LoneWiz54 on Jun 19, 2008 8:46 AM EDT reply actions

Good argument

I’m sold… leaving me with a hopeful draft board of CDR, Hibbert, Rush, then Chalmers

Dear Diary, JACKPOT!!!!!!!!!!

by Evander holyfield on Jun 19, 2008 9:54 AM EDT reply actions

how would he fit with gil?

seems like the wiz would have to slow things down a lot.

by DarrellWalkerFan on Jun 19, 2008 10:05 AM EDT reply actions

How much more athletic is Haywood?

I think Hibbert can run better than people give him credit for. Georgetown played slow because of coaching, not necessarily because of Hibbert.

You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.

by Mike Prada on Jun 19, 2008 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions

i haven't seen enough of hibbert to respond

i know g’town played very slowly, but i’ll take your word for it that it was JT3’s choice.

haywood has always seemed pretty athletic to me for his size (other than his hands).

by DarrellWalkerFan on Jun 19, 2008 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions

really?

I think its partly JT’s style and that offense, but it was also a conscious decision to get the most out of Hibbert. The scary thing is that even at that tempo Hibbert never played more than 30 minutes, averaging 26 I think.

He can run, but for how long? Its not like he is bouncing all over the floor to begin with. If Yao can keep up, Roy should be able to.

I can definitely see the benefits he brings. I wrote on that Sactown site that there is a somewhat hidden upside to Hibbert. He’s always had to play with some hesitation because the first line of defense against him, except against Thabeet, was to absorb contact and fall down hoping for a foul. He’ll see more one on one defense in a month than he did all year at Gtown.

We’ve established this is a team full of jump shooters. One of the few ways to make them better is to get uncontested shots by drawing the defense inside. Hard to do without a post presence. HIbbert gives you that and someone who can pass out of it too.

by Jheiser3 on Jun 20, 2008 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions

I mean, I'm not really sure

I didn’t watch enough of Georgetown to see, but I have been reading how he’s been doing a great job in workouts at running the floor (I’ll get a link when I have more time to search).

But yeah, it is a concern. I just don’t think it should totally scare us away.

You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.

by Mike Prada on Jun 20, 2008 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions

I like it too

by Aldo on Jun 19, 2008 10:06 AM EDT reply actions

You Know That I Agree

I’ve been one of the guys here clamoring for Hibbert to be our pick. Cleveland has proven for 2 out of 3 seasons (I’m giving the Wizards a pass on 2006-07) that you need interior defense if you want to go anywhere in the playoffs. Barring a significant trade, Hibbert is the best option for the Wizards to address this need in the draft. At 7’2” 272 lbs., Hibbert has physical traits that you just can’t teach. He can body up on opposing big men and he can alter shots in the paint. According to DraftExpress, Hibbert’s strengths other than size include strength, excellent hands (not a Kwame), excellent passer (and in a Princeton-style offense!), basketball IQ, work ethic, Shot-blocking skills, and overall defensive ability.

I’m completely sold on him. I read somewhere else that he is very coachable, so that means a lot of his flaws can be ironed out with good coaching. He’s also very young for his draft class, having turned 21 this past December. Young, huge body, solid fundamentals, good hands, and very teachable. I love it.

"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier

by cuppettcj on Jun 19, 2008 11:54 AM EDT reply actions