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http://www.indystar.com/article/2009081 ... ner?+Maybe

Maybe that is why we haven't signed another wing player.

Rush/Dunleavy
Granger/Jones

pacershereiam wrote:http://www.indystar.com/article/20090818/SPORTS04/90818036/1004/SPORTS/Dunleavy+in+Pacers++opener?+Maybe

Maybe that is why we haven't signed another wing player.

Rush/Dunleavy
Granger/Jones

The full quote sounds a lot more promising than the small tidbit from Wells' twitter. I really hope Mike is 100% before we try to bring him back.

Agreed, Dunleavy needs to be 100% we can't have a Jermaine O'Neal and try to return early and then just goes back down for the rest of the season. We need him for 82 games plus playoffs

This is great news, having Dunleavy return anywhere near the start of the season would be a huge lift for this team.

Right now we are thin at the wing and are severely lacking scoring off the bench (assuming Rush starts over Jones) so this would fill both of those needs very nicely.

If this come actually happens I have a new found respect for the guy, and I have always held him in high regard.

It's been sounding more and more like we're gonna get the good news that Mike is back to start the season. Which is awesome. We desperately need what we got from him in 07-08. If we had had it last season, I really think we would've been in the playoffs. He's a legitimate starting caliber player and pairing him with Granger makes for a potent combo.

This would be great. I'm pretty sure they'll bring him back slooooowly, after what happened last year. Basically, they should start from a Rush/Granger/Jones rotation and slowly work in Dunleavy. 10 minutes this game, 5 minutes the next, after a month, get a consistent 15 minutes a game, after 2 months, 20 minutes a game, and only after it's clear that he's back and able and healthy, make him the primary backup for both Rush and Granger.

What NOT to do: Give him backup minutes at the beginning, like 15 minutes a game. See Rush struggle a bit early in the season (which he may do, sophomore struggles and all), decide after a month, 'hey let's make Dunleavy the starter!' Get really excited, start playing him 35 minutes a game, watch him tweak his injury and lose him for the rest of the season and possibly forever.

What's scary is that if Dunleavy is back, there will be a lot of pressure to play him bigger minutes if either Rush or Jones falters at all. Which the Pacers must absolutely not do.

agreed jow. if mike aint 100% and we play him hard it will only amount to another injury and another sub 50% pacer season. I personally believe mikes best ball is past him and if we could sell high now would be the best result for the team. only question is whats his worth? and whos available for trade?

Mike has had a 'one-off' injury that was hopefully corrected in the off-season. I think I've heard that there is no recorded instance of the size bone spur he had to have removed. So I wouldn't base last year as a cautionary tale. Supposedly, he feels better than literally ever. I'm optimistic that he'll be back at full strength and we're gonna need heavy minutes from him ASAP.

I just read something for the first time on NBA TV or something. I saw it on the bottom line. Was there a new article yesterday or something? That could be great news. 6th man of the year? That on top of most improved player. And then of course MVP in Granger. I really do think Dunleavy will be one, if not THE frontrunner. And I do think Granger could be 3ish to 5 in scoring in the league.

chatard5 wrote:Was there a new article yesterday or something?

I think some of the national stories were just getting around to repeating the Wells piece which came after a workout about 10 days ago but there is a new blog on www.pacers.com. in it Mike is more up-beat than ever. this was not your typical knee injury rehab and it sounds like his leg is already as strong as it has been in a very long time. he mentions having been unable to dunk off his right leg since high school. it is starting to sound like he'll be better than we've ever seen him even in the early season.

Yeah Dunleavy's latest blog is another reason to get a little excited. He talks about going full contact in practice, and 2 on 2 games for the first time. The way he's progressing, as long as he doesn't have a setback, I see no reason why he wouldn't be ready for the opener. I mean if he's doing full contact practices, and the season is still 2 months away, things look very promising.

He says most of the pain is gone, too. When it gets reduced to soreness, that means its healing rather than hurting. His optimism is really infectious.

It'd be awesome if Dunleavy is healthy and could be very productive off of the bench. And if at the end of games Granger could become a star like Lebron or Kobe who brings the ball up the court. That way we could have both Rush and Dunleavy.

Dahntay and Dunleavy could be great off of the bench and compliment each other. Man, I should go out and spend the $1000 (I bet $10 on 100-1 odds on the Pacers in Vegas... Luckily I got 2 free drink tickets with this purchase) now! It's pretty much a guarantee!