| Daniels Knows Demotion Is Coming Authored by Andrew Perna - December 17, 2008 - 12:26 pm
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Daniels, who arrived via trade from Dallas in the summer of 2006 with lofty expectations, is averaging a career-high 15.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists through the team's first 24 games.
Even more surprising than his production is his physical presence in the lineup. He missed a combined 45 games in the previous two seasons, largely because of a knee injury that limited his explosiveness last year.
"The trainers did a great job of getting me ready, and I did a lot of rehabbing this summer," Daniels said recently of his knee issues. "Thank God that everything is back right with me health-wise."
If Daniels wasn't playing so well, the Pacers would likely be even worse than their current 8-16 record. Behind him on the team's depth chart is rookie Brandon Rush, who momentarily fell out of coach Jim O'Brien's rotation at the beginning of December.
Rush, the thirteenth overall pick from June's NBA Draft, has struggled to adjust the NBA game. He's averaging 7.1 points and 2.3 rebounds per contest on just 42.1% shooting. He consistently shot above 44% from the field at Kansas, while hitting roughly 42.4% from three-point land.
As surprising and appreciated as Daniels' production has been this season, the Pacers are still missing Dunleavy mightily. The former Duke standout enjoyed a career year in his first full season with Indiana, posting 19.1 points and 5.2 rebounds on 47.6% shooting.
He also helped take pressure off Danny Granger on offense, while playing much better defense than his critics often gave him credit for in Golden State.
Dunleavy was also the picture of stability for the Pacers during a rocky season in 2007-08, playing (and starting) in every one of the team's 82 games. Daniels has stepped in and started every contest this season, but he's aware that a demotion is likely on the horizon.
Indiana has been rather vague regarding Dunleavy's status, other than saying that his knee injury is something that few doctors have ever seen, but the team still anticipates that he'll take the court this season.
When he does, Daniels will be ready to adjust.
"I just have to be professional about it," Daniels said earlier this month. "I'll continue to go out there and do what I'm doing right now. Hopefully my time won’t change that much, but I'll continue to play well."
It's as good a time as ever for Daniels to turn in the best season of his six-year NBA career. The Pacers have a $7.4 million team option on the contract of the 6'6" guard. His performance will either earn him another year in Indiana while earning a pretty penny, or a ticket out of town for even more cash should the Pacers desire cap room.
He has scored 20 or more points on seven occasions, including a dominating offense performance in the first half of Indiana's 122-117 overtime loss to the defending-champion Celtics on Dec. 7.
Daniels brings a unique offensive style to the Pacers, who have lacked a slashing swingman. Stephen Jackson and Jalen Rose were decent at creating their own shot when getting to the basket, but I'd rate Daniels a tad better than both.
Both T.J. Ford and Jarrett Jack have a tendency to drive to the hoop as well, but neither has Daniels' size. Granger is getting better at creating his own offense, but Marquis always appears more in control.
It remains to be seen just how long O'Brien will lean on Daniels to be the team's second option on offense, but he's shown through the first quarter of the season that he's capable of handling the load.
Assuming Dunleavy does return, the Pacers will have a strong punch off the bench to create mismatches against the opposing team's second unit.
That would be a pleasant surprise in and of itself.
Andrew Perna is a Senior Writer for RealGM.com. Please feel free to contact him with comments or questions via e-mail – Andrew.Perna@RealGM.com. |
