Lakers' Hibbert down 16 pounds, expects 'to play at an All-Star defensive level'

Center Roy Hibbert wants to erase the memory of his disappointing 2014-15 campaign and return to the elite-level defender he was revered for being not too long ago.

“I expect to play at an All-Star defensive level, and everything else will come,” Hibbert said Wednesday during his introductory press conference with the Los Angeles Lakers, via the Orange County Register's Bill Oram.

Hibbert, acquired from the Indiana Pacers for a future second-round pick, has put more of an emphasis on his diet, mentioning that he's shed 16 pounds:

The weight loss is a result of the 28-year-old Georgetown alumnus recognizing the trend of teams rolling with smaller lineups, forcing legitimate 7-footers like him to adapt to a faster pace.

Even though his numbers last season - 10.6 points, 7.1 rebounds on 44.6 percent shooting in 25.3 minutes per game - remained on par with his career numbers, Hibbert was often criticized for his lackadaisical attitude both on and off the floor. He's never been a strong rebounder, and with the Pacers up-tempo style, Hibbert's role slowly had to be phased out to cater to those changes.

The Lakers can only hope their new starting center plays his part in repairing the 29th-ranked defense in 2014-15. General manager Mitch Kupchak knows he can't do it by himself, though.

“It all can’t fall to his plate,” Kupchak said. “If you’re on the perimeter, you can’t just let your guy get past you and say, ‘Oh, Roy is back there.’ It doesn’t work that way. Everybody is going to have to buy in defensively and make a commitment defensively."

The Pacers allowed 101.1 points per 100 possessions with Hibbert on the floor, while Los Angeles gave up 108. With a fresh start and a pep in his step, the two-time NBA All-Star could find new life playing at Staples Center.

Hibbert is on an expiring deal of $15.5 million, so if all else fails, the Lakers can go back to the drawing board, not being shackled long-term.