Veteran center Roy Hibbert is no longer a member of the Los Angeles Lakers. Hibbert agreed to a one-year deal with the Charlotte Hornets recently to replace Al Jefferson who took his talents to another one of Hibbert’s former teams in the Indiana Pacers.
Although Hibbert is no longer with the Lakers, it appears his bond with D’Angelo Russell stayed strong. Russell recently shot some video after a workout at a boxing gym with Hibbert in the background practicing some jabs in the ring, via NBA On Def Pen:
D'Angelo Russell (@Dloading) & Roy Hibbert (@Roy_Meets_World) getting in some training at a Boxing gym! pic.twitter.com/6nemCK5ZFG
— NBA On Def Pen (@NBAOnDefPen) August 12, 2016
Lakers guard Lou Williams got a taste of Hibbert’s boxing skills when challenging the seven-footer in practice last season, via Lakers Nation’s Andrew Martinez:
When you're trying to play fight but you're 7'2" teammate isn't having it. @TeamLou23 @Roy_Meets_World @LakersNation pic.twitter.com/tasEPOPhBF
— Andrew Martinez (@IamDrewInLA) March 16, 2016
Hibbert had a disappointing season with the Lakers last year. The two-time All-Star struggled to get into any kind of a groove in Los Angeles and as a result never really had a realistic chance of extending his career with the team. Despite not making an impression on the floor in purple and gold, Hibbert did have an impact on the Lakers young core as a mentor.
D’Angelo Russell, much like the rest of the Lakers young core, has been a hard at work during the offseason. The second-year guard appears to determined to prove his worth next season while working on all aspects of his game in preparation to run a new offense under head coach Luke Walton.
