The Evolution of Brandon Rush
Well, I haven't talked about my beloved Pacers in a while, so I'd like to take some time today to talk about one Pacer in particular, Brandon Rush.
Rush has had an up-and-down season but has recently turned the corner and is now starting.
Rush started out the season as a consistent part of the Pacers rotation. Through November and December, Rush was the first wing off the bench. However, in January Rush saw himself glued to the bench and his confidence suffered.
February saw a resurgent Rush return to major minutes in the Pacers rotation, and the month of March has seen Rush take his game to another level. Two games ago, Jim O'Brien moved Rush into the starting lineup—replacing T.J. Ford—and the Pacers responded.
The Pacers are 2-0 in that span and Rush has been brilliant, putting up 26 points and 13 rebounds. His defense has been great as well. He was the main reason that Dwayne Wade was held to 5/24 from the field.
As I type this, Rush has 20 points in the first half against the Chicago Bulls, and his confidence appears to be through the roof. O'Brien has said that it is likely Rush will start the final ten games of the season for the Pacers.
What does this mean for the team going forward? Well, in the eight games Rush has started this season, he has averaged roughly 14 points per game and six rebounds per game, and has been one of the Pacers best defenders all season long.
If Rush can turn into Danny Granger's running partner on the wing, then the Pacers have those two positions set for many years to come.
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