Dunleavey's Injury

grewich · Post #1 » by **grewich** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 12:09 am

This maybe a dumb question, but i was curious:

Houston got an 'injury discount' with Yao. Is there any possibility that we could get something similar with Mike? I realize we expect him back, but not for a while (January-ish). Hell, isnt there the slim chance that he could be out for more than that?

DC2 · Post #2 » by **DC2** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 5:46 am

We're too close to the luxury tax, so even if we got one we wouldn't use it.

Post #3 » by **Miller4ever** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 7:46 am

Also, Yao is a much more severe case. Dunleavy is for sure coming back, as his knee is reportedly feeling much better than it was pre-injury, and although his hip is giving him some issues, he's looking at a definite return. Yao may be done forever.

NashvilleKat · Post #4 » by **NashvilleKat** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 3:06 am

I know Dunleavy isn't a great defender, but why is he discussed with such indifference by Pacer fans? What am I missing. in 2007-08, Dun was among the top 10 players in voting for Most Improved Player in the NBA. Despite playing on a painful knee bone spur he scored 35 points six different times. Granger & Dunleavy were the first Pacer pair to score 1,500 points each in a single season since Reggie and Detlef Schrempf in the early 90s. Morway says Dunleavy will come back from surgery "radically improved" this coming year over that great year. I think just adding a healthy Dunleavy back into our regular rotation will make a significant improvement in our overall team, the number of victories, and entertainment value among fans.

Post #5 » by **Miller4ever** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 5:02 am

We're probably "indifferent" because we've gotten used to not having him around for an entire season, and when we found out he'd be gone for half of the next one, too, we had to start thinking about contingency plans. I personally cannot wait for Dunleavy to come back, but I have gotten used to a Pacers team without him.

jowglenn · Post #6 » by **jowglenn** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 6:36 pm

I think we were generally really happy with the one solid season that he put forth. But having him out for basically ALL of last year, and knowing that he won't return til at least halfway through the season, and having no idea if his injury will end up lingering enough to make him a lesser player... and the fact that Brandon Rush has surprised us and is seen as the starting SG of the future.... And the fact that we owe him like 19 million dollars over 2 (1 and a half, really) seasons...

Well, that's why pacers fans are indifferent towards Dunleavy.