Hibbert is one of the few players who has ever been able to deter LeBron James from driving to the rim.
Yeah, he's flawed. A one year rental would not be a big risk.
I think it would be worth it to see what Brad Stevens can do defensively with a team that has a legitimate defensive anchor. I also would like to see how the other guys on the team (e.g. Olynyk, Smart, Crowder, Thomas, etc) do with a defensive big man behind them.
You mean like the previous post season when he went 56% from the floor against them?
I don't recall, honestly.
I know that Hibbert has had success in holding LeBron below 56% shooting in the paint, which is significantly lower than he usually manages (e.g. 60-70%). Hibbert has been able, in the past, to force LeBron to take more jumpers. Sometimes LeBron nails the jumpers, but forcing him to take them is notable.
Not sure what Hibbert would do to the Celts' offense, but I have no doubt he substantially improve the interior defense, which is a major weakness.
Well, Indiana had also a lot of players to throw at him at the wing to help out. Their better effort was with Vogel's first or Second year if not mistaken, in which they were taking Miami by surprise a bit, but even then LeBron simply had a good series as well.
In all, sure he might help, but not to any degree I care much for.
While we're at it... Hibbert seemingly always began the series against them dominating, only to become a big big negative for them as the series went on.
I don't know, he's been on a downward spiral, and I didn't like him much in the first place when he was at his peak. So there's that.