*FAN SUBMISSION by Derek Hollingsworth of Indianapolis, Indiana.*
The central untruth about the 2013-2014 Pacers is that they are trying to win every game. The theory is, in order to beat Miami, the Pacers must have the first seed in the Eastern Conference.
The theory is certainly true, but the practice is a bit of a smoke screen.
Courtesy: USA Today
Enter Danny Granger.
Coming off injuries during the previous two seasons would have obvious repercussions to any professional athlete’s career. Massive rehab is involved returning yourself to game shape, and even then, another injury becomes increasingly probable (ala Derrick Rose). Danny Granger made his way back eventually, but whereas a player like Rose might be coached into changing his game to avoid injury, Granger’s game changed because of injury. He has not been the same player, despite the team’s effort to get him shots. When he drives to the basket, he is clearly wounded; a turnover or missed shot bound to happen.
So why would the Pacers, who where the NBA’s best team without him, allow Granger to get no only the minutes, but the shots?
You have to start with who Granger was on this Pacer team. After the infamous brawl, the Pacers were in a state of decay. Larry Bird, with his first major imprints as an executive, began to clear the roster. One of his first moves was to draft Danny Granger of New Mexico. Pacer connections to New Mexico are no secret, with Pacer great and exec Mel Daniels an alumni, and Larry himself being coached by the father of New Mexico’s coach, Bob King.
Granger joined the team, and averaging modest bench work, was named a second-team All Rookie. As his role increased, he eventually became an All-Star. This was not without some very lean years.
As the Pacers vision and savvy for internal scouting and development increased, so did the talent around Granger. Just as his young counterparts began to develop, so did the weight of an NBA career for Danny Granger. Not on his shoulders, but, as all too often, his knees.
Vertically consistant, like the lines on the east and west of the state, ran Granger. He lead the charge of the Pacers’ new emphasis on talent AND character. He spoke soft and articulate, played hard, and shot the ball well. The Indiana way. Some might say he couldn’t draw enough fans when the Pacer weren’t very good. Those that were there would say he was the only reason to attend. He filled up the scoreboard, statistically and enjoyably. Pacers fans are fond of Dannyoke.
It was in the best interest of everyone to give Granger his minutes in the first half of the 2013-2014 season. Let him shoot. Let him go for it. Some days it worked for the very deep Pacer team, but mostly Granger stymied the second unit.
Showcasing a former All-Star’s ability to actually play works for all parties. The prying eye’s question becomes, if you are trying to win every game, why are you not experimenting with substituting for said All-Star? Why keep Rasual Butler and Chris Copeland if not to do EXACTLY what Granger is supposed to, but no longer can?
The answer is simple.
Some pro-Pacer pundits (should be all of them because they are putting up record setting defensive metrics) have said the Pacers could get the 5 seed in the East with their 2nd team. And yes, this year, Ian Mahimi, Luis Scola, Danny Granger, Lance Stephenson, and C.J. Watson would beat the Knicks or Nets in a 7 game series. Yes the East is bad, but mostly just at winning, as all pro-ball teams are capable, and the Pacers second unit is good enough to be relevant. But what about the THIRD team?
Courtesy: Sports Illustrated/CNN
The Pacers second unit, despite their efforts to bolster it with Watson and Scola, is good, but inconsistent. Scola, a capable scorer is 36. What little is left of his inside game is easily exposed most nights, though his 15-25 feet range is outstanding. Watson’s hot and cold game has never really gained momentum, despite some big performances with big leads. He is uncomfortable shooting the shot. Granger’s return to the team mirrored both bench players’ worst attributes: he couldn’t do what he used to do around the rim AND he didn’t know WHEN to shoot. The result became dribble-turnovers in the lane, and flat shots Pacers fans prayed would YMCA their way in.
Despite these observations, the Pacers first unit has been so efficient and dominate that it didn’t matter. Don’t try to sub Rasual Butler for Granger, or Copeland for Scola, or Sloan for Watson. No experimentation is needed. The two team, 65/35 split is working.
And the Indiana Pacers, run by “awe-shucks” himself, Larry Bird, have no intention of letting you know what the championship gameplan really is. The real secret? Play Danny as part of the second team to up his trade value. Hide the third team. Despite acquiring Copeland because the damage he can (and did) do (playing for the Knicks in the playoffs last year), do not bring him in. Not yet. Butler and Sloan have played themselves into the league with effort and decision making. The league should know but doesn’t. Then you add Bynum, serviceable for 7 decent playoff minutes a game hopefully; and 6 fouls at minimum. No need to showcase that practice squad, right?
Dear Miami Heat: Larry and the Pacers have a third team, and they haven’t showed it yet.
With the departure of Granger by trade, and Orlando Johnson being released, the Pacers have begun to show their master plan. They added depth to their deepest positions, and they mean to use it. The lineup during the course a typical regular season will stay the same, the typical two team format. But come late, or desperate (if Miami closes the gap), the Pacers will begin to institute the hidden plan. Hit them 3 times. You have three players? We have three STARTING LINEUPS. Here’s how it might look:
First Quarter: Roy Hibbert, David West, Paul George, Lance Stephenson, George Hill
Late First, and or, 2/3rds of Second Quarter: Ian Mahimi, Luis Scola, Evan Turner, Hill/Watson
3rd Quarter wave one: Starters
Wave two: Bynum, Scola, Copeland, Stephenson, Watson
Wave three: Mahimi, Allen, Stephenson, Turner, Hill
Wave four (into the 4th quarter): Hibbert/Mahimi, Allen, Butler, Turner, Watson
4th?: One of three centers, West, one of three swingmen, George, Hill.
Obviously, the chemistry, health and situation could all come into play. But the fact of the matter is the Pacers are loaded with THREE viable teams now. The only way they get there is Danny Granger; good enough to keep them competitive, valuable enough to finish the vision, and attracting a big enough light to hide the real plan.
Here’s another view of the potential three team blitz:
Roy Hibbert, David West, Paul George, Lance Stephenson, George Hill
Andrew Bynum, Luis Scola, Rasual Butler, Evan Turner, Earl Watson
Ian Mahimi, Lavoy Allen, Chris Copeland, Soloman Hill, Donald Sloan
As for Danny Granger? Should the Pacers formula work and result in a ring, it reminds me of Edgerrin James. When the team he helped build finally broke through, he deserved a ring and was given one. Danny deserves one, and I imagine, should the Pacers fulfill their vision, Granger will get the recognition, and jewelry he has earned.
