Hibbert Spends Summer Working With Walton
Pacers center Roy Hibbert has the benefit of playing for a rather famous front-office executive.
Team president Larry Bird approached Hibbert last spring with the option of working with Bill Walton, Kevin McHale or Bill Russell, all Hall of Fame big men.
"He said it would probably be one of those three guys. I just had to give him my summer schedule so he could set it up with one of them," Hibbert said. "Who wouldn't want to work with those guys?"
Bird lined up Walton, who has been working with Hibbert at Conseco Fieldhouse this summer.
"It's an honor for me to work with such a fine young man, such an outstanding talent with such an outstanding package," Walton said. "He has tremendous potential. We are working on his total game. Summertime is when the championships are won. Physical fitness and skill development."
The emphasis in their workouts has been on defense.
"We're trying to build on the great foundation Roy has and what he means to the Pacers' foundation," Walton said. "Execution of the fundamentals; denying guard penetration, rebounding and shot blocking."
Walton said he wants to continue until Bird "dismisses me."
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So why couldnt the Blazers have brought in one of those 3 to work with Oden last summer when Greg was healthy? I understand that this summer Greg couldnt do the full workouts and go hard at it learning from one of these Hall of Famers but I'd love to see them actually bring in a Center Coach for Greg or get Walton or Russell to mentor Greg during the season.
