Roy Hibbert should work with Hakeem Olajuwon

[The Future]

Dwight Howard works with him, and suddenly, he has post moves, and is a more polished player offensively.

18 ppg to 23 ppg is a good difference.

Can we somehow get Hibbert to work with Hakeem???

Imagine Hibbert developing his post game (most specifically his foot work!)

Ah, come on Hibbert, call up Hakeem!

[imawhat]

Re: Roy Hibbert should work with Hakeem Olajuwon

I'm surprised Rik Smits hasn't worked with Hibbert. Doesn't Rik live in Indy? He'd be perfect for Roy.

[Richard_Skull]

Re: Roy Hibbert should work with Hakeem Olajuwon

Didn't he work with Kobe as well, or was that someone else?
Also, what would it take to get him here to help Roy? I'm sure Roy isn't the only one who would like to enlist Hakeem's guidance/help.

[Isaac]

Re: Roy Hibbert should work with Hakeem Olajuwon

Didn't he work with Kobe as well, or was that someone else?

He did work with Kobe and there was a noticeable difference in his post game.

I have been an advocate of bringing in a big man coach like Hakeem, Kareem, Pat, etc. for many years, as have UB and several others. Now it appears we are downsizing our coaching staff and going with only 3 assistants? No question it would help Roy.

[OakMoses]

Re: Roy Hibbert should work with Hakeem Olajuwon

Roy should work out with Anthony Costanzo.

[graphic-er]

Re: Roy Hibbert should work with Hakeem Olajuwon

Rik Smits has said that he would work with Roy whenever Roy is ready to reach out to him.

[Kegboy]

Re: Roy Hibbert should work with Hakeem Olajuwon

I'm sure Roy gets plenty of exposure to great players through the Georgetown fraternity, and will get opportunities to work with those not on the NBA's payroll this offseason.

IMO, right now he needs to concentrate more on his own game and feeling comfortable in his own skin, as opposed to trying to emulate others.

[Reginald]

Re: Roy Hibbert should work with Hakeem Olajuwon

IMO, right now he needs to concentrate more on his own game and feeling comfortable in his own skin, as opposed to trying to emulate others.

What does that even mean? Are you saying he should try to teach himself to be a better post-up player as opposed to getting pointers from the greatest post-up center to ever play the game?

[Skaut_Ech]

Re: Roy Hibbert should work with Hakeem Olajuwon

I think a simpler idea would to hook Roy back up with Bill Walton. I think he really had an effect on him despite the short time together and I would assume the lines of communication with Bird and Bill are still open.

[docpaul]

Re: Roy Hibbert should work with Hakeem Olajuwon

What does that even mean? Are you saying he should try to teach himself to be a better post-up player as opposed to getting pointers from the greatest post-up center to ever play the game?

I think he's simply saying that Hibbert has got to get out of his own head and just simply have self confidence and play through mistakes. He plays too "small" which is mostly a mental thing to tackle. A little confidence and true swagger would go a long way with him.

[Kegboy]

Re: Roy Hibbert should work with Hakeem Olajuwon

I think he's simply saying that Hibbert has got to get out of his own head and just simply have self confidence and play through mistakes. He plays too "small" which is mostly a mental thing to tackle. A little confidence and true swagger would go a long way with him.

Yep. Roy's problem isn't technique, it's confidence. Trying to get him to play "like" someone else isn't going to help in that regard. He'll only succeed when he's his own man. Then he'll be in a better position to take input and instruction from others constructively.

[Justin Tyme]

Re: Roy Hibbert should work with Hakeem Olajuwon

He did work with Kobe and there was a noticeable difference in his post game.

I have been an advocate of bringing in a big man coach like Hakeem, Kareem, Pat, etc. for many years, as have UB and several others. Now it appears we are downsizing our coaching staff and going with only 3 assistants? No question it would help Roy.

I've NEVER understood the reluctance of the Pacers to hire a Big Man coach! This goes back to Walsh. It's just so dadgum frustrating to see players like Hibbert, McBob, and Hans not get the proper help to increase their game for the good of the team. It's an investment in the future that will pay dividends for team's overall game. Isn't increasing the players ability to play the game at a better level tied to the success of the team? Frustrating, GRRR!

[Justin Tyme]

Re: Roy Hibbert should work with Hakeem Olajuwon

I think he's simply saying that Hibbert has got to get out of his own head and just simply have self confidence and play through mistakes. He plays too "small" which is mostly a mental thing to tackle. A little confidence and true swagger would go a long way with him.

Yes, and teachers/tudors can do just that. They can inspire their pupils to be better by showing them how, and through encouragement they help develop and instill confidence in the pupil.

[Reginald]

Re: Roy Hibbert should work with Hakeem Olajuwon

Yep. Roy's problem isn't technique, it's confidence. Trying to get him to play "like" someone else isn't going to help in that regard.

Completely disagree. For sure, Roy could use a nice dose of confidence. But Olajuwon's preternatural anticipation and post-up instincts are something Hibbert will never, ever come close to duplicating through self-evaluation and playing pickup games with his Georgetown cronies, no matter how confident he gets.

I couldn't care less about Hibbert "being his own man." If he has the length and agility to be like Olajuwon, he'd be stupid--and an exponentially inferior player--if he did not emulate him.

[BRushWithDeath]

Re: Roy Hibbert should work with Hakeem Olajuwon

If he has the length and agility to be like Olajuwon, he'd be stupid--and an exponentially inferior player--if he did not emulate him.

He doesn't.