Danny Granger

Danny Granger certainly got a raw deal from the Indiana Pacers.  Granger was dealt to the Philadelphia 76ers in a trade deadline package that sent back #2 pick in the 2010 NBA Draft Evan Turner and Lavoy Allen to the Pacers.

Remember the motor city brawl the Pacers were involved in at the Palace in Auburn Hills?  The franchise suffered through some tough years following that incident.  Granger was selected with the 17th pick of the 2005 NBA draft.  At the time the Indiana Pacers only averaged around 9,000 fans per home game,  one of the lowest totals in the NBA.  During the 90's Indiana boasted one of the best home-court advantages in the NBA.  Market Square Arena had some of the most colorful and supportive fans in the NBA.

Granger managed to stay healthy his first three seasons with Indiana, playing in 240 of a possible 246 games.  His scoring average steadily increased from 7.5ppg, to 13.9 his second year and 19.6ppg during his third season.  The Indiana Pacers had a superstar in the making.

Granger's fourth season in Indiana was yet another break out year.  He averaged 25.8ppg and 6.1rpg.  His shooting developed as well averaging a career high 40% from three point range.  This was also the first year the injury bug hit.  He missed a then career high 15 games.

Over the next few years Granger would struggle with nagging injuries.  The wrist, knee and ankle to name a few.  He still managed to produce when healthy averaging 18.7ppg in 2012, his last full season in Indiana.  He missed 20 games that year.  Granger's attitude and defensive presence obviously bothered the Miami Heat challenging them to a tough six game series.

Indiana began last year with high expectations.  With Granger sidelined to begin the year a void needed to be filled.  Lance Stephenson and Paul George both stepped up unexpectedly.  George has the potential to be a top five player in the NBA.  Stephenson has a world of talent.  The Brooklyn product has a chance to have a better career than Sebastian Telfair and Stephon Marbury.  Granger played in just five games last year before shutting it down for the season.  Indiana would go on to push the eventual champion Miami Heat to a seventh game.

This year has obviously been a struggle for Granger.  He is 30 years old, the prime of his professional career.  Who could argue with him for expecting more minutes?  After all he's the individual most responsible for turning things around in Indiana.  Instead he has been the consummate professional.  The Pacers have been the best team in the east thus far this season.  They've made no secret that getting the number one seed and hosting the playoffs in their building is their main goal.

At this juncture Evan Turner is certainly an upgrade.  The Pacers have players that will eventually seek a higher pay day, thus the window of opportunity is certainly closing for Indiana.  The Pacers front office  must have been thinking this when they decided to pull the trigger and get this deal done.  Winning a championship is Indiana's priority and rightfully so. 

Basketball is a game but the NBA is a business.  I would have made the same decision given the opportunity.  Tough decisions have to be made on occasion.  Danny Granger's contributions to the Pacers franchise should not be forgotten.