Roy Hibbert Paid His Teammates for Playing Good Defense

The Indiana Pacers’ excellent defense last night — they held the floundering Charlotte Bobcats to just 76 points in a laugher — cost center Roy Hibbert money. He’s more than happy to pay up, it turns out. Per the Indy Star: “As if his Indiana Pacers needed extra motivation, Roy Hibbert realized during a late time out Tuesday night that the struggling Charlotte Bobcats might not score 80 points. His mouthed opened and out came a challenge. Keep the Bobcats in the 70s, Hibbert instructed the five reserve players checked in the game. It’s worth $100 per man. ‘I’m a man of my word,’ he assured them. In a happy locker room following a 103-76 blowout, the highest-paid Pacer ($13.66 million this season) handed out large bills to three teammates, including one he couldn’t name, Dominic McGuire, who is playing on a 10-day contract. Jeff Pendergraph refused his reward. Ben Hansbrough must wait until Hibbert finds an ATM. ‘He’s a rookie; he gets his last,’ Hibbert said with playful defiance.”