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Lakers' Hibbert: 'I'm a 7-foot-2 black Bogut'

Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Lakers center Roy Hibbert is well aware that he's not going to get many touches in an offense that relies heavily on contributions from the backcourt, with the likes of Kobe Bryant, rookie D'Angelo Russell, and reigning Sixth Man of the Year Lou Williams soaking up most of the attempts.

Even so, the 28-year-old big man knows he can make an impact in other areas to help his new team thrive. Hibbert compared his game to that of Golden State Warriors 7-footer Andrew Bogut.

Hibbert Wants To Be "The 7'2" Black Bogut."

"What if I can be that cog like Andrew Bogut," Hibbert said prior to the Lakers' preseason matchup with the Warriors on Thursday. "Be the big guy who defends, rebounds and facilitates. And, you know, I can accept that role. We have great scorers, great young guys and you have the greatest player in Kobe Bryant.

"So, there’s not that need for me on that offensive end so much, but defensively just being a presence. I kind of like, see Bogut. I’m a 7-foot-2 black Bogut, I would say."

Acting as a facilitator may be a bit of a stretch for Hibbert, who barely averaged over one assist per game each of the last two seasons, the 166 assists (two per game) he totaled in 2010-11 for the Indiana Pacers being his career high. Bogut finished sixth among centers in 2014-15 with an average of 2.7 dimes.

Defense is where Hibbert and Bogut share a lot in common, with both acting as two of the league's elite rim protectors at the five spot. Both centers averaged 3.5 rejections per 36 minutes last season.

- With h/t to Slam Online

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