Pacers' Prayers Answered

The Indiana Pacers shift their focus to David West

By Doug Knopf

With Danny Granger out for the past month and what looks like some months to come, the Indiana Pacers have been searching far and wide for someone to step up. They finally have found that person and it comes in the form of power forward David West.

AP Photo/ Steve Yeater

Acquired after the 2010 season by free agency, David West joined the Pacers with a “fit-in” attitude. He was brought on to be a veteran, level-headed figure for a young team looking to taste victory. His presence clearly showed a difference with the maturity and success the Pacers had in the 2011 season. Now, even though he has aged through the years, his dominance is once again coming through.

On a team filled with young and athletic players looking for their chance to break out, David West leads the Indiana Pacers with about 18 points per game. In his last six games, he is averaging 23 points per game and almost 9 rebounds. Dominating in the post, West is bringing back the power forward position lost in the fog of flashy guard play. With good shot selection, West is averaging a 58 FG% over the last two weeks.  It is difficult for any team to guard an athletic 6-9 player who is also a savvy veteran.

"I only shoot shots that I practice," West said after the game against the Kings on December first. "Only take shots in the game that I work on in practice."

David West’s current play is positively affecting the Pacers. Indiana is 4-2 in their last six games, only losing to the Spurs and the Warriors, two very good teams. At 8-9, the Pacers are still very much alive in their division. Being one game out of first place in the Central division and one game away from the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference, this team can easily make the playoffs.

With Roy Hibbert struggling this season, West has been looked at to provide big minutes in the paint and solid defensive effort.  The Pacers are one of the best defensive teams in the NBA, only letting up 91.9 points per game. This sometimes proves to be costly since they only score, on average, 90.9 points.

David West is key to turning this year’s success around for the Indiana Pacers. With shaky play from almost every other position on the court, it is his job to be a rock and provide consistent points. Look for him to be the center of the Pacers focus until Danny Granger comes back. Oh, and remember to add him to your NBA Fantasy team.