[From the FanPosts, Duke is primed and ready for tonight's preseason opener. Enjoy!  Note by Tom Lewis ] 

October 2, 2009

April 15th seems like an eternity ago, if you are a Pacers fan. The come-from-behind victory over the Milwaukee Bucks that night had the Pacers showing that "We'll be back." In the Terminator-esque sort of fashion.

That was April 15th. Just about 6 months ago. Like any offseason you begin to see new faces and lose familiar ones. We have seen the long-awaited departure of Jamaal Tinsley, and the somewhat-heartbreaking loss of Jarrett Jack to free agency.

With every door closed another one opens. Larry Bird went dollar-store shopping this summer and found some decent bargains. He was able to sign Western Conference starter Dahntay Jones on the cheap, and Earl Watson from Oklahoma City. These players were brought in to help out this whole defense problem we had a season ago.

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This is more commentary than anything...

Today on The Dan Dakich show, Jarrett Jack called in from working out at Georgia Tech.

Dan went on to tell him that because he was working out and not at a casino (Like Travis), this is why he is our starting point guard. It is really good that the players get along so well, and can give each other a hard time. That really shows that things have turned around in the locker room.

Now onto the serious stuff...

Jack was asked if he'd like to return to the Pacers next season, and Jarrett replied,

"I owe it to the Pacers...they gave me a change where in other places I didn't get an opportunity."

Jack went on to say that he has a tough "contract battle" starting July 1st. In my mind I really don't want to see or hear the words battle and contract in the same sentence, especially from a player.

So in this sense I am glad he wants to remain a Pacer. Jack arguably was one of the hardest working guys we had on the floor last year outside of Granger.

Well, I know it's been a while. I hope you all welcome me back in good spirit!

[Great stuff from duke dynamite on Danny Granger's development since being draft in 2005. - CR]

The headline of The Indianapolis Star's Sports section the morning after draft day in 2005 read, "PLEASANT SURPRISE, GRANGER IS A PACER." Danny Granger was picked at 17, and was a gleam of hope for a team coming off a disasterous season.

Looking back at Danny Granger's sophomore season, Al Harrington was brought back from Atlanta, and was expected to play next to Jermaine O'Neal for "One of the strongest frontcourts in all the NBA." This meant for Granger that he would have to come off the bench for Harrington, even after showing us some nice play late in his rookie season.

We all know the story of how that season played off, Harrington, Stephen Jackson, and Sarunas Jasikevicius were traded to Golden State for Mike Dunleavy, Jr., Troy Murphy, Ike Diogu, and Keith McCleod. This trade for Granger was a blessing in disguise.

After the trade, Danny moved up permanently into the starting lineup along with newly-aqquired Dunleavy and Murphy thus ending a sub-par season, riddled with losing streaks and injuries to Jermaine O'Neal and Jamaal Tinsley. The Pacers missed the playoffs for the first time in eight years, finishing 41-41. 

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Many fans have wondered, and so have I about the possibility of Dunleavy returning healthy this season. A lot of people are saying mid-late January, and that is good news for Pacers' fans. If he is, he couldn't return at a better time.

This raises the question of how Danny will continue to produce. I honestly don't think you can slow Granger down unless you are playing him the whole game with not much help. (Prime example last night against Atlanta.) With Mike back in the game, a lot of that pressure and exhaustion will be lifted from Danny.

There is also the thought of stunting Brandon Rush's development adding Mike back into the 2 guard position. Here is a quote from a discussion I had earlier on pacersdigest.com:

Kevin (Lee) had a great point last night (during his Call-In Show). He said that when you draft someone in the first round you draft with hopes that particular player would work for a starting position. I agree with that to the extent of other factors could hinder that possibility.

Brandon is in a unique situation here, where when healthy, our starting "shooting guard" is a force to be reconed with.

I would think that if were to Mike continue to struggle on defense, when the game is mainly going to be in the hands of the opposing team, Rush will play a pivotal role in stopping the ball, and breaking momentum. Thus, putting a rested Dunleavy back in the game so maybe he could help with a lot of the on-court decision making late and avoiding bad plays and turnovers.

Don't expect Rush to miss out on a lot. Jim O'Brien as we all know is very picky with his rotations, and he is only going to play the guys who are playing good consistent games.

With all that said, I will stick by my word. I think that with some healthy bodies, this team will be able to stick with their opponents late in the game, and maybe come away with a few W's.

The Blogger Contest!

"Congratulations on being randomly selected as the first winner in the Pacers.com Fan Blogger contest. Please respond to this e-mail ASAP with your full name and complete contact information (phone, cell phone and preferred e-mail)  so we can make arrangements for you to attend Tuesday’s game as our special guest."

w00t! I am very happy, and will represent Pacersdigest.com and Indy Cornrows. I am thankful for this opportunity.

Thanks,

Tony

At the end of the game Saturday night, Slick was praising the play of McRoberts and stated that he needs to play more. Also, he said when everyone is healthy, that may keep him from playing more, but should get more time regardless.

Slick made it clear that McRoberts has a lot of potential.

I really think that if he continues to play well, and stay out of foul trouble, he may be able to make it in this league, and maybe become a valuable role player.

One thing I've seen that he needs to work on is his footing while guarding in the post. He looks a little nervous so he gets all over the place.

Thoughts?

Sorry guys, this new job is keeping me away from my real responsibilities! Ha ha, no way, but I do miss being here. If I had the time I'd talk all day, but I've got an appointment here in a couple of hours...

So I did the Indy Two-Step and went to both the Colts game and the Pacers game Sunday. The fans at the RCA Dome/Lucas Oil Stadium have been just really a fine example of how you should support your team. The crowd always gets wild. I got to experience that twice this weekend.

The Fieldhouse surprisingly was just as loud and proud. This year has been a great turnaround for the franchise, despite the losing record. The fanbase has risen again and our attendance is up from last year.

I wish my photos were better, stupid me forgot the camera as I was leaving the house.

[I second duke's thoughts as he caputres the spirit of the day. The turkey ought to taste especially good today to Pacer fans after last night's win. Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy. - CR]

I just wanted to tell you guys Happy Thanksgiving.

I am thankful for a new team, that is willing to go out and give 110% every night.

I am thankful for the opportunity to support a franchise with a proven history of greatness, and a potential for more.

I am thankful for our coach, for he knows the game inside and out, and never stops thinking about basketball.

I am thankful for Danny Granger, because he never quit last night. Danny because like us fans, he bleeds blue and gold. 

Finally, I am thankful for everyone that reads, comments, compliments, and criticizes my words.

I am truly thankful.

Happy Thanksgiving!

[duke dynamite watched the tough loss last night and looks for a glimmer of hope amongst the tragic late game collaspes. Thanks, duke! - CR]

I was going to wait until after the Houston game to write this out, but I had to do it.

Believe it or not, there is a gleam of light in this darkness we call a 3-game losing streak. This gleam is known as Brandon Rush. Rush has shown us his career-best in the past two games, with the potential of making it three in a row tonight. Brandon has just come out of nowhere and really has lit it up offensively. Now if only we could get Hibbert more minutes.

As I stated earlier last week, too many people have written off Troy Murphy. Stop! He has put up some good numbers so far and only think he'll get better. I understand, but he is not the only player fading in the second half. I blame everyone.

We are getting some great looks at shots in the second half, but nothing seems to want to fall. In that, I say we need to drive to the basket more. I know that Jim O'Brien loves the long-range ball, but it never works. You need to adjust your strategy based on many factors:

• opposing defense strength
• size and speed of defense
• team 2nd half FG % efficiency (us=bad)
• ...and more

I can go all Norman Dale all day long, this team just lacks fundamentals. I agree with the coach's philosophy of passing the ball, but you can't have a team that can't pass...well, pass. If anyone has noticed we have committed more turnovers by bad passes or deflections than anything else. (I don't have the stats, I call it like I see it.)

Coach O'Brien I think cannot work with just a three point offense like he has until Dunleavy comes back, if he comes back. I'm starting the get the "Colts" feeling with the whole Mike's knee situation. What are they not telling us, if they are not telling us everything?

Best-case scenario, I have a feeling that we are not going to succeed much more outside of the development of this team unless we do something about the way our offense is run. I don't know what it is, maybe teams have picked up on what we do, and just let us coast in the first half then slaughter us in the second. I don't believe that. Call me in denial.

I hate to just rag on a "developing" team. It seems to many like my expectations are high, but I'm like every sports fan and wants their team to win.

There has to be a silver lining here. I just hope that I see it soon.

[I've been doing my best to not mention this "anniversary" and now thanks to duke dynamite, I don't have to.  -CR]

It just won't go away!

Four years ago this week we witnessed one of the most awful events in sports history...The Brawl at Auburn Hills. I hope you like the title, because it can mean two things.

In the "Back to the Future" sci-fi world, it could mean, "What if the brawl didn't happen? Would we have been a good team and make it to the Finals?" "Would Reggie have retired that year?" "Would our attendance be so low?" Or it could mean, "Would Danny Granger..." You can put anything in there. Would've he had been a Pacer, the night club incidents, Mel Mel getting injured or sick all the time. Take your pick.  It could go either way. There are a million scenarios that could come to play within this four-year time period.

I myself am happy with the team's progress so far, but it's always hard not to look back and ask yourself, "what if?"

Now, on to things that matter in 2008...

I'm sure most of you are still mulling over what I said earlier in the week about my opinion of O'Brien, well...I still feel the same way, but I'll let it slide.

We've been the center of a lot of attention lately. Losing two heartbreakers in a row and coming back to a big win against apparently one of the toughest teams in the East. (I still think Atlanta isn't that good...yet.) At one point last week we were 6th in Hollinger's ESPN Power Rankings. Sweeeet.

On the eve of another challenge, the Pacers still them see themselves in an uphill climb. Orlando has seemed to remain close to the top of the East after a slow start. This team has some great talent, and it's up to the newly-found Indiana Defense to try and stop Dwight Howard. Last year's Most-Improved Player, Hedo Turgolu, has a really nice outside shot, and could put the lights out against any team on any given night. (I still think Dunleavy deserved that title.)

With all that said, the Pacers need to raise their game to a level of consistency and make sure to spread the scoring around to almost everyone, and we may have an excellent shot at winning. The past wins, the Pacers have had almost all of their starters in double-figures and their bench has out-scored their opponent on most nights.

I need to say a few things about Danny Granger. If this guy doesn't make the All-Star Team in some fashion, the selection process is a joke. Right now he is tied for 6th in scoring along with Kobe Bryant. If you want company, it doesn't get any better than that. Danny has played solid all-around in all of his games so far, most recently scoring 34 against Atlanta Tuesday evening.

Danny may be leading the team in points, but a few other players, well, all of the other players have been put in a very important role the past few games. We have Rasho and Jeff coming up big in almost every play they are in. I just can't believe the way Foster has been playing as of late. I think this has a lot to do with his newly-appointed sixth-man role. Rasho on the other hand, has really come up big defensively.

I know many of you want to rag on Troy Murphy. Yes, his shot selection has gone south, but he's been making up for it with his boards. In the past two games his rebounds have been in the teens and has a double-double in each of those games.

The same has been said about Daniels. I hear one week he is an instant defensive specialist, and the next he is blasted for his poor shooting. His defense has been his crutch all year. He can come up big with an inside shot, but let him pass the ball or shoot it outside and it's an instant change of posession. All in all, Marquis has played better this season overall than he has any other year. He is healthy, and is a nice fit in the absence of Dunleavy.

I'm really looking forward to the weekend. We have 3 winnable games in 5 days, but we need to remain consistent and ready for anything that could come at us.

Who else besides me thought that 3-pointer by Jeff Foster was just freakin' awesome?