Roy Hibbert broke out of his playoff funk on Wednesday night during Game 2 against the Washington Wizards, scoring a season best 28 points. He also added 9 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 blocks while playing a playoff high of 33 minutes. Hibbert came into Game 2 with a different attitude, and that attitude was to make all basketball critics hush up.
During Game 1 of the second round against the Wizards, Hibbert threw up a dud, registering 0 points and 0 rebounds. After the game, he became the target of ex-NBA players, critics, and basketball fans, all saying nothing but negative and hurtful things about the 7-foot-2 All-Star.
Hibbert has not read into any of the negativity and proved all the doubters wrong on Wednesday night. He came out of the tip-off and scored the first 5 points of the game, draining a 17 footer and recording a three-point play. During the stretch of his 5 points, he looked like his dominant self down at the post, blocking 2 shots and disrupting a handful of others.
Roy Hibbert ended the night with 28 points, shooting 10-13 from the field and going 8-8 at the charity strip. This is the type of game that will help Hibbert regain his confidence and play like the All-Star he was during the regular season. His teammates should feel confident enough to pass him the ball down on the block and for him to play his scary defense in the paint. Look for the Pacers to build off Hibbert’s career game and shake off their team-wide funk as well.
Photo Credit: USATSI