Is Roy Hibbert finally closing the gap with Bynum, Howard?

Center Roy Hibbert has had a great season playing for the Indiana Pacers this year. He has career highs in scoring, rebounding and blocked shots for the season and even made the All-Star team but is he actually ready to be mentioned in the same breath as the leagues’ two best centers Dwight Howard and Andrew Bynum?

Well despite a career year for Hibbert his season numbers still pale in comparison to either Bynum or Howard. Hibbert is averaging only 13 points-per-game compared to Bynum and Howard who both average around 20 per game.

And Hibbert has seen a big jump in his rebounding this season but again he can’t hold a torch to either guy. Both Bynum and Howard have outrebounded Hibbert by no less than three rebounds-per-game. Hibbert is right there with both of them in the shot-blocking department at least.

The real indicator of how Hibbert matches up to Bynum and Howard though is in their head-to-head matchups. The Los Angeles Lakers and the Pacers only played once this season but Hibbert did edge Bynum in that game although just barely.

Hibbert had 18 points, eight rebounds and four assists while Bynum managed to score 16 points while also adding eight rebounds and one assist.

Too bad the four game series versus Howard didn’t go as well for Hibbert as the game against Bynum did. Hibbert edged Howard in their first meeting scoring 16 points to Howard’s 14 and pulling down 12 rebounds to Howard’s nine.

Howard crushed Hibbert the rest of the series though scoring 24, 27 and 30 points while limiting Hibbert to a combined total of 27 points in those three meetings. The Orlando Magic also went 3-1 in the series matchup.

That’s not to say that Hibbert’s numbers aren’t good. Bynum and Howard have been in the league a lot longer than Hibbert who is only in his fourth season. Hibbert’s numbers are right around where Bynum’s numbers were during his fourth year in the league.

And Hibbert’s numbers have gotten better every year he has been in the league so if he can continue to improve then it won’t be long before people begin touting him as one of the best in the league. Unfortunately, he’s not even in the conversation right now. 

Roosevelt Hall is an NFL Blogger for The Sport Mentalist and an NBA Blogger for The Sport Mentalist 2. He is also a Sports Reporter for Pro Sports Lives. He can be contacted at RHall_TPFB@Yahoo.com and be sure to follow him on Twitter @sportmentalist.

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