The Indiana Pacers are undefeated and feeling pretty good about the outlook of their season. After beating the Chicago Bulls 80-97 while shutting down Joakim Noah and Derrick Rose, the Pacers are seeing a bright future ahead of them. After the game, Roy Hibbert took to Twitter to express his excitement and announce some goals for he and the rest of the team.
So far this season, Hibbert is averaging 9.0 rebounds and 8.2 points per game. Against the Bulls he had 10 rebounds and five blocks as he leads the league in the statistical category. As a result, he is predicting earning Defensive Player of the Year honors at the end of the year.
Hibbert tweeted out, "DPoY. Goodnight! People act like I can't have individual goals. I didn't talk about it in the past. Well now I am. I WANT DPoY. That's gonna help my team win."
Hibbert is right. Right now his strong defensive performance each game is rolling the Pacers right along with a perfect record. He is the No. 1 defender through two weeks of the 2013 season, averaging 5.2 blocks and shutting down top players like Rose or Anthony Davis. While some Pacers fans just want team wins, head coach Frank Vogel agrees with Hibbert's predictions.
"Best defensive player in the game. Defense and rebounds, that's who the Indiana Pacers are. He anchors that," Vogel said, via the team website.
Hibbert is not only making predictions about himself, he is putting expectations on his teammates. Hibbert tweeted out, "Best believe [Paul George] getting that MVP trophy this year. No one playing like him." So, George as MVP over the predicted LeBron James or Carmelo Anthony? Another prediction by Hibbert that could come true.
George is certainly getting paid like an MVP, signing a five-year, max contract extension to remain with the Pacers. He is averaging 27.0 points per game along with 8.8 rebounds and a 47.5 shooting percentage. While turnovers are an issue, if George keeps up the fast pace, an MVP title is certainly not out of the question. Arguments are starting to be made that George is the most complete player in the league. If he continues this playing style, the road to an NBA championship could go through Indiana.
