NBA Franchise of the Year: Passion. Pride. Pacers.

[mfbmike]

Granger/James Matchup Worth All The Hype



Danny Granger and Lebron James have been playing MVP-caliber basketball this season, but are they earning all the hype they’re getting? James is drawing comparisons to Michael Jordan, an ongoing barrage of praises never ceasing since he entered the league in the 2003-2004 season. Granger, however, has been drawing his own accolades of unique greatness for the past two seasons.

James and Granger are both worth the hype, no doubt about it. Both are great players that have made an outstanding impact on each of their respective teams and have split 6 player of the week awards each for the Eastern Conference so far this season, at 3 a piece.

The Pacers are currently 15-9 and riding the crest of a 6 game win streak while the reigning Eastern Conference Champion Cavaliers are sitting at a dismal 11-11. Granger will look to lead his Pacers to their 7th straight and get revenge on the team that eliminated from the playoffs a season ago while Lebron is looking to bring his Cavs back to legitimate championship contendency when the Pacers host the Cavs tomorrow night at the Conseco Fieldhouse.

[Primetime]

Cavs have been struggling obviously. This could mean LeBron changing scenery at the end of the season? That's one of the things I'm looking most forward to; seeing what happens in the 2010 FA.

[mfbmike]

Cavs have been struggling obviously. This could mean LeBron changing scenery at the end of the season? That's one of the things I'm looking most forward to; seeing what happens in the 2010 FA.

Possibly. I'm sure there will be some disappointed fans somewhere. lol.

Granger/Lebron isn't worth a 4 day hype. Shit son.

I actually already played the Pacers/Cavs game, just haven't had time to get the update in with the Golden Sombrero Show league and being out all weekend.

[mfbmike]

It's possible if I can keep posting the numbers I am with him. Award races will show up after this month and I'm hoping to see Granger's name in the top 5. That was one of my goals for this season. I'm not expecting him to win it, but I do want to his named to be mentioned amongst the Wade's, Lebron's and Bryant's.

[mfbmike]

Update coming.

[mfbmike]

Lebron Contained But Pacers Fail To Extend Win Streak To 7

Starting Lineups:
Jamal Crawford (80) PG (88) Mo Williams
Ricky Davis (78) SG (82) Delonte West
Danny Granger (90) SF (99) Lebron James
Rasheed Wallace (85) PF (80) Troy Murphy
Chris Kaman (89) C (80) Zydrunas Ilgauskas

(15-9) 110 vs 119 (11-11)


Rasheed Wallaces rises up for 2 of his 22 points as Lebron James can't help but watch.

Top Performers:
Player Of The Game:

Mo Williams

Quote Of The Game:
"Danny did an excellent job of keeping Lebron quiet and in foul trouble for the majority of the night. Mo was just feeling it out there and was unstoppable. Even with hands in his face, he would not be denied. Vladimir (Dasic) really opened up a lot of eyes tonight as well. For being a rookie, he stepped up big in Lebron's "absence". - Pacers Head Coach Jim O' Brien

Next Game:

[mfbmike]

Roster News:


One of the most sought after potential free agents in 2010, Dwyane Wade has made it public he wants a contract extension with the Heat.

Injuries:


Kenyon Martin has suffered a separated shoulder injury and Nuggets trainers put an estimated recovery time at 21 days. The Pacers are probably happy they didn't pull the trigger on a deal involving the injury-prone Martin earlier this season.

Other News:

- Blazers detrone Lakers in Power Rankings
- Rubio is #1 in latest Pure Point Rating report
- Paul dishes 3000th career assist in 95-86 win over Hawks
- Bobcats' Bell wants contract extension
- Jazz's Deron Williams returns to practice

[mike3]

your stats look they were good enough for you to win, badluck

[A Tasty Burgerr]

I admit I haven't followed this at all but I've gotta give you props for sticking with this for 113 pages....wow.

[Vinsane]

Tough loss Mikey, LOL @ Blazers top of the power rankings.

[mfbmike]

Pacers Play A Stellar First 3 Quarters And Scrape Out A Win In The ATL

Starting Lineups:
Jamal Crawford (81) PG (80) Acie Law
Ricky Davis (78) SG (93) Joe Johnson
Danny Granger (90) SF (91) Josh Smith
Rasheed Wallace (85) PF (93) Carlos Boozer
Chris Kaman (89) C (90) Al Horford

(15-10) 108 @ 99 (13-10)


Rashad Mccants can't chase down Danny Granger who capped off this break with a dunk.

Top Performers:
Player Of The Game:

Jamal Crawford

Quote Of The Game:
"For us to come into their house and shut them down like we did and lead by as much as 30 is huge for us after losing to Cleveland a couple of nights ago. They didn't really threaten our lead until the 4th and that was when we had our reserves out there getting some minutes." - Danny Granger

Next Game:

[mfbmike]

Rubioooooo! Already impacting the league? Solid.

Strikes me as odd considering he's playing behind Devin Harris in Jersey. lol. Maybe they have Devin playing off the ball a bit more.

Tough loss Mikey, LOL @ Blazers top of the power rankings.

Those are fighting words around here. I'm stoked to see them on top in the West and kicking ass.

mfbmike, at this point in your chise, is the starting 5 for the hawks still the same?

They got Boozer and lost Bibby. Not to mention Mccants, Josh Heytvelt, and a couple other new guys coming off the bench. Really talented team. At least on paper they are. I murdered them for some reason. Held them to a really low field goal percentage.

Play Jordan!

Got no room for him right now. I'm actually craving an injury to happen so he can get some play. lol. Thankfully, his rating is low as shit so the morale hit will be slow if I can't manage to find a way to squeeze him into the rotation.

[Primetime]

Nice. Only gave up 12 in the 3rd then they come back in the 4th and score 37. Where's the consistency?

[mfbmike]

All my bench guys were on the floor. Including Walter Sharpe and Diawara. Brandon Rush and Gerald Green took turns running the point so you could imagine the turnover party that went down in the 4th. Which has me looking at a small deal to bring in another prospect point to play limited minutes in situations like that.

[mfbmike]

Developmental Drills (December):


Danny Granger

Rebounding: Success!
Offensive Rebound: 68>71
Defensive Rebound: 76>78
Hustle: 82>84


Chris Kaman

Post Offense: Success!
Offensive Low Post: 84>86
Offensive Awareness: 82>84
Standing Dunk: 77>79


Sean Williams

Deny Position: Success!
On Ball Defense: 68>71
Strength: 72>75