| New Season, Same Worries Authored by Andrew Perna - November 2, 2009 - 10:05 pm
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Things were no different for the Indiana Pacers entering the 2009-10 season, but the hope surrounding the team has fallen faster than the leaves on the trees.
The Pacers were putrid defensively last season, ranking 19th in the league (allowing 109.2 points per 100 possessions). Two games into this season, while a small sample size, Indiana is allowing 113 points per 100 possessions (26th among the NBA's 30 teams).
The Hawks and Heat, their first two opponents this season, were far from excellent offensively last year. Atlanta and Miami ranked 10th and 20th respectively and Indiana was supposed to be better defensively after some shrewd offseason moves.
The Pacers signed Dahntay Jones to help them limit the opposing team's best scorer, but the former Nuggets starter has done more scoring than stopping.
Jones is averaging 11.5 points, which is more than double what he averaged in Denver last season and four points higher than the career-best 7.5 points per game he posted for the Grizzlies in 2007.
His offense would be welcomed, especially with Mike Dunleavy (knee) out, but he's not holding up his end of the bargain on the other side of the basketball. Through two games he has a net on/off of -33, which despite just 57 minutes to go on, isn't at all what the Pacers expected when they signed him to a four-year, $11 million deal this July.
Jones is also expected to indirectly improve Danny Granger's already impressive offense. With Jones handling the defensive responsibility of the opposing team's best scorer, Granger can put more focus on his developing offensive game. It's hard to ask for much more than the 25.8 points he averaged last season, but there is room for improvement in terms of efficiency.
Granger is averaging 26.5 points and 19.1 shots per game, both career-highs, on 42.1% shooting. His true shooting percentage is a respectable 57.7%, but with Indiana trailing after three quarters in each of their games he's attempted an eye-popping 22 three-pointers. For those of you who enjoy premature projections, they puts him on pace for 902 attempts this season. I'll take the under on that one.
With Dunleavy out, Granger is the only proven offensive weapon on the perimeter. T.J. Ford, who has scored 10 points on 17.6% shooting, is more reliable penetrating than shooting from the outside. Meanwhile, Brandon Rush has just eight points on seven shot attempts. The second-year guard has made four of his seven shots and started both games, but has played a total of just 32 minutes and has been on the bench in the fourth quarter.
In fact, both Rush and Ford have been on the sidelines during key moments to begin the season (in favor of Earl Watson and Jones). Mike Wells of the Indianapolis Star expertly pointed out that coach Jim O'Brien may be trying to send a message to the pair, but what good is that going to do in the first week of the season?
Rush, who along with Roy Hibbert had his third-year option picked up by the Pacers prior to Monday's league deadline, is a part of the team's present and future almost by default. There wouldn't be as many available minutes on the wing if Dunleavy were healthy and he has the promise to be a solid NBA starter.
He has looked hesitant often, both last season and in this young campaign. If the Pacers are going to improve on the 36 games they have won in consecutive seasons, they'll need consistent production from both Rush and Hibbert.
The latter was on pace for a big night against the Heat on Friday, but foul trouble kept him from posting a double-double as he recorded eight points and six rebounds in just 16 minutes of action.
If he can stay on the floor, which is easier said than done, he has the skills to be very good. His per 36 averages are 12 points, 12.9 rebounds and 2.6 blocks this season. Last year, when he was only on the floor for 14.4 minutes per contest, his numbers were promising as well -- 17.6 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.7 blocks.
There are still 80 games left, but teams like Atlanta and Miami are the very clubs Indiana is aiming to catch in the Eastern Conference.
Andrew Perna is Deputy Editor of RealGM.com and co-host of RealGM's Radio Show. Please feel free to contact him with comments or questions via e-mail: Andrew.Perna@RealGM.com. You can also follow Andrew on Twitter: APerna7. |
