Kobe Bean wrote:They'd probably be contenders if Granger was fully healthy and Hibbert had taken steps forward as opposed to forgetting what to do with a basketball in his hands
As of now, I don't see them getting past healthy Bulls or the playoff version of Miami.
It will be interesting to see. Granger IS expected to be back and at 100 percent after he gets his conditioning back, and the rest should do wonders for the nagging injuries that he was playing through before. Hibbert isn't scoring well in the post still, some of that is an injured wrist, some of it is just missing bunnies inexplicably. He has shown positive signs though, he has averaged 14.5/11.3/ 3.7 blocks per 36, more importantly on 48 percent from the field. He's still not as reliable from the block as he was last season, but if he can keep up his play from January thus far I think that's adequate, but whether he keeps it up is an IF. His defense has been massively improved either way.
Granger will be the key. If he plays like he did Post All-Star break last season (19.4 ppg on 45/41/90) I think the Pacers can contend legitimately, especially since his presence will open up the floor tremendously for Paul George and David West, both of whom are massively improved this season over the last.
I don't advocate that they would be favorites over Miami in the playoffs or a fully healthy bulls team with Derrick Rose, but their chances to upset either one of them is not insignificant.
As for the low SOS, you only play the games you are given, and it is slightly countered by Indy having so many more road games than home games, they play their next 3 on the road, and then they are at home virtually all of February, and should be able to run up their record considering they are 16-3 at home and have won 11 straight there. They are 12-6 versus the West too, which should count for something, considering how most people see that conference as vastly superior.
Ginobili wrote:I havent been paying attention to the Indiana Pacers in a while, but im surprised with their record.
I should catch some games to see how Paul George is doing and what kind of game and style he has, because honestly, ive barely watched anything from him this year. I keep hearing the Mcgrady comparisons, but i find it hard to believe he can reach that level or has that talent in him.
He has the potential to be a top 10 player in the league. HE's a defensive player of the year candidate and an elite rebounder and good 3 point shooter who is fast enough to get into the lane. Once he starts getting more respect from the officials he'll be a 20+ ppg scorer without too much trouble.
Over the last 24 games (since he broke out) He's posted
19.78 ppg
8.7 rpg
4.04 apg
2.1 spg
.8 bpg
on .445/.384/ 85 from the field the 3 and the line, while giving you arguably the best perimeter D in the league both man to man and from a team perspective.
