Soon we will move past the tedious summer “talk a good game” phase of the NBA season and into the “actually prove it on the court” phase. That will be a welcome moment, because all we have now are people answering questions we have about teams with their words.
For example, can Paul George and Danny Granger really co-exist with the Pacers?
Granger was out with an injured knee last season and George stepped up into the leadership vacuum (earning himself a max contract extension in the process). That means this season eventually (it will not happen Day 1) they will be able to play well together — and the Pacers become much more dangerous — or they will not meld and the Pacers will have to try and move Granger to recapture their swagger from last playoffs.
George, Granger and even team president Larry Bird spewed the company line “of course they can” in an interview with the Indy Star.“I think it’s a great combo,” Bird said. “Paul not only can play the (shooting guard) or (small forward) positions, he can guard anybody. I think that takes a big load off of Danny….”
“The only thing we have in common is a similar build at 6-8 and 6-9,” said Granger, who likely will become a free agent next summer. “He’s more of a facilitator. I’ve always been more of a scorer, shooter. He’s a slasher. He can shoot it. He has more of an all-around game.”
Responded George: “You can’t help off Danny. Otherwise, it’s a (3-pointer). In that aspect, it helps me out. He opens the floor for me. It should be the same way for Danny. I should give him some space to operate.”
Should. That’s the operative word.
How will that actually work out? As again around the last week of October and we will see how it unfolds — but realize it will unfold. There is no answer two games into the season. It will take 20 to start to get a clear picture, and it all could evolve more after that. Indiana seems in no rush nor should they be, they have time to see how this shakes out.
Either way the Pacers are a deeper, better team than they were last season — most of their core players (George, Roy Hibbert, George Hill) are of an age where they should improve every season and even if Granger doesn’t work out they can trade him for parts they do need. The Pacers are well situated no matter if Bird, George and Granger are right or not.
