It's bad enough when two former players are going public with the ridicule but when a teammate questions an athlete's heart, he is in full crisis mode.
Less Roy Hibbert means more chance of Indiana Pacers advancing
ESPN reported that Paul George did just that to teammate Roy Hibbert during the Indiana Pacers' 102-96 loss to the Washington Wizards in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinals on Monday night.
Hibbert, who has struggled mightily since before April, played 18 minutes in the series opener and finished with nothing - zero points, zero rebounds.
That prompted George's comment, which was disguised as a comment about the entire team:
"[It] comes down to us having heart and rebounding the ball," George said, according to ESPN. "We need our big fella to rebound the ball for us."
Roy Hibbert's play ruins his comments that teammates are selfish
The Pacers' own official website also was critical of Hibbert's performance, saying, "Roy Hibbert, who finished without a point or a rebound in 18 minutes, dealt with foul trouble, and wasn't aggressive enough in the paint."
The site also reported that "a number of Pacers - including David West and Rasual Butler - had a private conversation with Hibbert after the game.
"None of them would reveal what was discussed," nba.com/pacers reported, "but West was as heated as he's ever been. The veteran forward was fuming, a combination of dejection and frustration."
ESPN reported that West told reporters the Pacers will "keep encouraging" Hibbert, whom they also said "has to be part of the fight."
Meanwhile Sugar Land Skeeters pitcher - and former NBA star Tracy McGrady took a jab at Hibbert on Twitter.
Me and Roy Hibbert had the same amount of points and rebounds tonight. — Tracy McGrady (@Real_T_Mac) May 6, 2014
As did former Washington Wizard Gilbert Arenas on his Instagram account with the Wilt Chamberlain photo (above) and the Jeopardy question (below).
Do you think Roy Hibbert can return to his All-Star former before the playoffs end for the Indiana Pacers? Comment below or tell us @SportsWN.
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