I didn’t have enough ideas for one main article, so here are some thoughts for a Wednesday on what’s going on with the Pacers right now.
Darren Collison’s Injury
   DC will be sitting out the rest of this season, but hopefully should be good to go once the playoffs start.  Will there be any rust to his game, only time will tell. I will say that I know he’ll be back with the starters because he shouldn’t lose the starting job over an injury.  George Hill has been playing well in his place, and I can almost see the side of putting Hill there at starter. But I think Hill is too valuble with the bench guys,  so I would put him right back there after Collison comes back.
Paul George Coming Around
Paul George looks to be coming back to form shooting wise. He has zero points last week, but came back the next game and put up 18.  It’s good to see him making shots again and hopefully he can add more of the slashing to the goal to his arsenal. I think he can be more effective that way since he’s such a finisher.
Roy Hibbert Establishing Himself
Another player looking to get more to what he does best. Hibbert earned a career high in rebounds during this win streak of the Pacers and he has been getting double doubles, which is great to see. He looked a bit out of it after the All-Star, but in the last week or two weeks, he’s more to form. I’ve said it so many times before, but I see no reason why Hibbert can’t be a double double guy.  He can obviously score at will against some of the “centers†in the East and he is always around the basket to get a board or tip it out.  10 points and 10 rebounds should be his average, and hopefully he gets to that.
Danny Granger’s Play
How about Danny Granger in the past few weeks?  Take out the New Jersey game, and he’s looking like the Granger that we all want to see. He’s a guy who can put up 20 points and you hardly realize it. He’s much smarter about his shot selection, and I think he realizes he doesn’t need the ball all the time.  He’s hit key baskets and really has improved the shooting along the way.  He’s the leader of this team and I am excited to see what he can do in the playoffs.  I think the Pacers go as far as he goes.
Coach Frank Vogel
What a job Coach Frank Vogel has done with this team.  Getting the interim tag last year, and getting the players’ support to earn the job this year.  He should be up there with coach of the year nominees, but I don’t think he’ll actually get the award.  But Pacer fans know how valuable he is to this team with this upbeat nature and his optimistic nature.  This is a guy that I don’t think has ever said much of a bad thing about this team, and that’s just what they need to hear.
Pacers Overall
Sitting in the third spot in the Eastern Conference riding a six game winning streak with the chance to keep it rolling, what else could you ask for this team? Â Ultimately, this season will be judged on whether they win that first round. I personally feel they can win that first round and hopefully challenge Miami, which will probably be the opponent. Â But whoever it might be, they will be a tough out. Â But getting out of the first round is so important. A home playoff series should be fun for the fans here. Getting that taken care of should get people talking up the Pacers again and getting excited for the upcoming years this team will be together.
Tags: Danny Granger, featured, frank vogel, Paul George, Roy Hibbert
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