Roy Hibbert played the best postseason game of his four-year career last night in Indiana, putting up 19 points, 18 rebounds, and five blocked shots, as the Pacers cruised to a Game Three win over the Heat. The young center is facing restricted free agency this offseason, and talked about that topic, among others, with Chris Tomasson of FOX Sports Florida. Here are a few highlights:
On the possibility of returning to the Pacers in free agency:
"I love Indiana. They took a chance on me when they traded Jermaine O'Neal and a couple of other guys to get me with the 17th pick. This is the place that I feel I'm very loyal to."
On why he slipped to 17th overall in the 2008 draft:
"I always thought I was overlooked because I was a four-year guy [at Georgetown]. My whole motto was work, work, work, and fortunately for me it paid off… I may have slipped in the draft but I'm having the last laugh now."
On the possibility of playing for Team USA after having played for Team Jamaica in previous international competition:
"They had a rule that we didn't know about when I played with Team Jamaica that I can't play for Team USA again. We had international lawyers looking at it and they say it's very doubtful… If I knew that two years ago, I wouldn't have played for Team Jamaica, but whoever thought Dwight Howard and LaMarcus Aldridge would be hurt at my position?"
On working on his game with Spurs forward Tim Duncan:
"More than just basketball stuff, we sat down and talked and I saw how he goes about his business and his calm demeanor. He doesn't get too high or get too low. So I model my game after him. He's texted me after every game. I'm appreciative, and he's somebody that looks out for me."
I’d sure like to see him don the black and red of the TrailBlazers.
Hes the 4th best center in the NBA and will definitely climb that list, as he is younger than howard, bynum, and tyson chandler