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Roy Hibbert: I Knew I Was Getting Traded

By Ben Gibson

January 4, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert (55) controls the ball against Los Angeles Lakers center Jordan Hill (27) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
January 4, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert (55) controls the ball against Los Angeles Lakers center Jordan Hill (27) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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In Roy Hibbert’s press conference with the Los Angeles Lakers the seven-year NBA veteran said he was ready for a fresh start after things turned sour with the Indiana Pacers over the past two seasons. Hibbert said he saw the writing on the wall and knew a trade was eventually coming.

Scott Agness of Vigilant Sports gathered some of Hibbert’s remarks from Wednesday as the center was positive during the press conference and stated that despite the way things ended in Indiana he was appreciative of the time he spent there.

"On waiving $2.2 million in trade bonuses to help the Lakers…That was a no-brainer. Indiana wanted to go in a different direction, wanted to go younger and the Lakers wanted me so I said, ‘Who wouldn’t want to be in L.A.’ That was a no-brainer. I talked it over with my agent and I didn’t think twice about it.…On what happened last year after being an All-Star the year before, and David West standing up for him…I appreciate David West stepping up and talking for me on my behalf. I’ve had long talks with my agent and to tell you the truth, like I said before, I appreciated the time I had in Indy but I’m going to get back to playing at an All-Star level and I don’t want to dwell on the past too much. I’m looking forward to the future.…On settling down in Los Angeles…After last season, myself and my wife moved out here. And then I knew I was going to get traded at some point, but didn’t think it’d be to this place. I moved here during the summer so that worked out pretty well compared to the other places I could have gone. Like I said, I’m excited to be here but I’m eventually start looking for a place close to the practice facility because the traffic here is definitely different than it is in Indiana."

Hibbert took the high road and didn’t take any parting shots at Larry Bird. David West’s comments had already covered that territory and Hibbert gets to wash his hands clean of the situation by mostly avoiding the subject. Hibbert may have been the scapegoat for Indiana’s offensive issues but he said instead of being expected to do more on both ends he hopes to focus on what he can give the Lakers on the defensive end of the floor.

As far as Hibbert and the other new Lakers dealings with Kobe Bryant…

Next: Did Pacers Offseason Moves Make the Team Better?

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