NBA Talk: Can Danny Granger Live Up To Expectations Next Year?

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This article was originally seen at Always Miller Time, a blog providing daily NBA/Pacers analysis.

Danny Granger had an amazing season last year with the Indiana Pacers, averaging about 26 points per game, about five rebounds, and about three assists per game during the 2008-09 season last year. With those stats, Granger earned his spot in the All-Star game.

Granger also lead the Pacers to a 36-46 record, earning his team the ninth seed in playoffs. One more spot, and they were automatically in the playoffs facing such great teams like the Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, Orlando Magic, and others in the Eastern Conference.

Granger had done so many astonishing things last year, like helping his team overcoming a 17-point deficit over the Milwaukee Bucks, helping the Pacers destroying the Raptors 130-101, help rally the Thunder late in the season, game-winning shot over Steve Nash to win game over the Phoenix Suns, and so many other great memories from last season.

No doubt Granger is the best player to play for Indy since the Reggie Miller years. Granger also earned himself the Most Improved Player for this season. But now Indy is heading into a new year and Granger will have to lead the Pacers to a playoff berth for the first time since the 2005-06 season when Indy went 41-41, eventually being a first-round exit, losing the series 4-2 to the New Jersey Nets led by Jason Kidd and Vince Carter.

The Pacers can’t afford losing this year. ESPN seriously was blind predicting Indy would win 33 games this year, they truly were. The Pacers made some good moves last season, adding Solomon and Dahntay Jones, Earl Watson, and signing draft picks of A.J. Price and Tyler Hansbrough.

But some moves did struck the Pacers in the offseason, as they lost Jarrett Jack and Marquis Daniels. They also lost Jamaal Tinsley as well. With Granger on the squad, the depth chart will look like this coming into this year’s 2009-10 season:

PG: T.J. Ford/Earl Watson/A.J. Price/Travis Diener

SG: Brandon Rush/Dahntay Jones

SF: Danny Granger/Mike Dunleavy/Luther Head

PF: Troy Murphy/Tyler Hansbrough/Solomon Jones

C: Roy Hibbert/Jeff Foster/Josh McRoberts

It’s a strong lineup I guess and the Pacers will look solid this year with it. But can Danny Granger live up to his expectations. Can he lead the Pacers to a playoff berth? Can the Pacers rely on him when the game is on the line? Will he manage his role as captain of the team? Many questions will be asked of Granger coming this season.

The Pacers are going to have to count on Granger multiple times this season. He truly was spectacular last season and showed himself of what he really is. He now won the Most Improved Player, any shot of the MVP award? He may have a chance.

Granger will play a big role this year. At 6′8,” he can also play power forward and not only can he shoot and dunk, he can also rebound, and that is player you want. He’s the Pacers’ LeBron James. Granger has beaten James multiple times, but people think LeBron is more better with his overrated team.

Granger is the player the Pacers have been looking for. They need him. Granger does what the Pacers want, because Granger brings the Passion, Pride, and that is why he is a Pacer.

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