Trying to Keep Pace

With Danny Granger out, the Pacers have to fight harder to be competitive in the division

By Doug Knopf

The Indiana Pacers will be without star player Danny Granger for at least three months, about 45 games, due to a sore left knee. Granger’s injury will hurt an already poor offense, which has only scored over 100 points once this season. With Granger being out for three months, the Pacers are looking to their bench for help. Currently the Pacers stand at 3-4, losing a few close games where they could have used Granger’s closing factor.

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"We've still got a great deal of talent, a great deal of depth. So my hopes are very high that we'll excel without Danny,” said Coach Frank Vogel.

Indiana is still trying to figure out how they will compete in the division without their biggest weapon. The replacements that the team has on its depth chart have been inadequate recently, being only average at best. Gerald Green is averaging 9.6 points per game and 5.1 rebounds per game, numbers that are clearly not at Granger’s level. On the darker side of things, he is committing around two turnovers per game and averaging .6 assists. These numbers are not good enough for a playoff caliber team looking to stay competitive.

Kings coach Keith Smart said after their game with the Pacers, "not having your go-to guy can change a lot of things.”

Things have changed. The Pacers are now relying on their own big four of David West, Paul George, George Hill and Roy Hibbert; but none of these players have the scoring ability that Granger possesses. Known as one of the deepest teams in the NBA, the Indiana Pacers have spread the love around giving more shots to unconventional scorers. Paul George has seen about nine more minutes worth of time due to Granger’s absence and newcomer Sam Young has been given an increased role as well.  The team is desperate to fine scoring and a new offensive focus.

           

One of the biggest differences between basketball and other sports is that there are fewer schemes involved in play. This allows substitute players an easier transition into the flow of an offense. Offense is the weaker part of Indiana’s game and this setback is sure not to help. Like the Bulls, Indiana is missing their best player and their performance is hurting. With 75 games left in the season there is still time for an adjustment to be made and for young players to step up.