Pacers Recap

Two weeks into the season and I have to give the Pacers a B+, could have gone A if they had played more competitively and maybe beat the Heat.  Yes I am going to be nit picky, but with this team and the talent that is showing, there's not a lot of excuses to make that the Pacers can't truly compete with the top teams in the East. I think they are doing a great job of handling teams that they are supposed to be so far.  They did have a small let down against the Pistons.  But with the way they bounced back after the Miami game, and won in Boston after not winning there in years, that shows me something.  I think that each game everyone is stepping up as well, and looks like each game you can pick out a different player who is contributing the most.  Or who you could call the player of that game.  I like the idea that this is more of a team effort because it shows you might not need that mega superstar, but all the parts together can do something.   Look at those Pistons teams that went to the Finals, hard to pick out a big superstar, so this Pacers team could work that way.


The only improvement I would want to see is Danny Granger continue to involve everyone in the game.  You have to give him credit for making that pass on Friday night to Darren Collison for a game sealing three. I know all the Pacers people on twitter made a note of that pass.  But I think Granger has been so used to carrying the team, it's starting to set in that he doesn't always need to do that or get off a bad shot early in the shot clock.  You can work the ball around, make screens, move around, and find that open space.


Roy Hibbert is definitely coming into the player I know he can be.  I've said before, he should average a double double, 10 points and 10 rebounds at least.  That to me seems like a no brainer.  Having David West out there on the block should open up some more scoring for Hibbert as well.


The bench has two guys coming off that could fight each other for sixth man in Tyler Hansbrough and George Hill.  We have all seen what Hansbrough brings to the table, just a bulldozer of a man coming in to rebound and score.  I don't mind that at all.  He brings a little toughness to the team, and they can use that.  George Hill looks to be settling into his role and scoring more often.  His shot was a bit off through the first few games, but now it's coming around, and he's making some good shots.  I like the depth of our bench, and know that can help in those back to back to back games.  


This week the Pacers go to Philadelphia, where they will get a tough Sixers team, so hopefully we can take care of business there.  Then come home on Wednesday for a date with Atlanta.  This Atlanta team does scare me a bit as it seems like they've had the Pacers number for the past few years.  They've got a few more wins over the Pacers than I would like or the team would like.  So we shall see what happens when the Pacers and Hawks tangle here in town.  Friday the Pacers travel to Toronto and I think they will easily handle the Raptors.  Keep the wins coming and let's see how it all shakes out come game sixty six.  It will probably be here before we know it.