After finishing 38-44 and narrowly missing the playoffs, the Indiana Pacers are looking to make an identity change that may see Roy Hibbert in a reduced role.
Pacers coach Frank Vogel and president of basketball operations Larry Bird told the media on Friday that Indiana plans to shift to an uptempo offense, a far cry from the play this season that had the Pacers finishing 24th in offensive rating.
"I was talking to coach earlier; we'd like to play a little faster tempo," said Bird. "And that means we've got to run a little faster, maybe at times play a little smaller. We just got into it, so I don't know what style, but we'd like to change it a little bit. … But I would like to score more points, and to do that, you've got to run."
When asked if Hibbert, who has not shown himself to easily take to quick offensive play this season, may be benched next season as a result of the transition, coach Vogel had a cut-and-dry answer: potentially.
"We'll have to see how it all plays out and what the roster ultimately looks like, but there's a possibility that Roy's role will be diminished, if we're trying to play faster and trying to play smaller," said Vogel. "But a lot of stuff is going to happen this summer. We'll see how the roster shapes out coming into next season."
Hibbert has a player option for next year, that will see him earn more than $15 million in 2015-16. However, it is clear that, if he does return, he will have something to prove.
"We assume he's going to be back and if he comes back, we're probably going to play another style," said Bird.
"And I can't guarantee him anything. He's going to have to earn it."
Hibbert averaged 10.6 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 25.3 minutes per game this season, shooting 44.6 percent from the field.
