NBA: Introducing the Starting Five of the Indiana Pacers
By Josh Dhani
The NBA preseason has just started for the Indiana Pacers and many of us fans are just anxious for the regular season to start as it does in late October.So I just came across of an idea: Do any of you know the players on this young, hardcore squad? No? Yeah, I was assuming that you would say that so I’d like to introduce to you the starting five of this trusty crew.
So…let’s begin.
Point Guard: T.J. Ford
T.J. Ford was just a monster in his debut year as a Pacers just last season when Indy acquired him for Jermaine O’Neal in Toronto. It was a good deal as Ford accumulated 15 points, five assists, and one steal per game during the 2008-09 season.
With Jarrett Jack gone, Ford will be seeing some more minutes during every game from now on with Earl Watson, A.J. Price, Travis Diener, and Luther Head right behind him. The point guard spot looks strong this year, and Ford is the leader of them.
Shooting Guard: Brandon Rush
Brandon Rush truly sparked in his rookie season. Drafted by Portland, the Pacers made a great move in acquiring him for Mr. Bayless. Rush had a stellar year, totaling eight points, one assists, three rebounds, and 0.5 steals per game.
Rush is looking at another good season as he play a role as a full-time starter. Will pressure be put on his back? Nope, looks there will be no need escaping the monkey from his back as being a starter with the acquisition of Dahntay Jones, a defensive stopper, in the offseason.
So look out for B-Rush, things are going to look real good with him this year.
Small Forward: Danny Granger
Danny who? Danny Granger. Man, where did this guy come from. He’s come from a no-one to really big someone. Granger showed he was a superstar last year for the Pacers franchise, and the NBA as a whole. Right now, he’s the best since Reggie Miller in this franchise.
Granger registered 26 points, five rebounds, three assists, and one steal per game. Also, don’t forget all the game-winning shots he made during the second-half of the season. So I wouldn’t be surprised if Steve Nash is having nightmares of a 6’8″ 230-pound forward shooting a game-winning three-pointer on him.
With Mike Dunleavy supporting him as his backup, things are really strong here at the small forward spot. Now people, let’s head for to the Big Men.
Power Forward: Troy Murphy
Oh, look here, it’s Mistah Murphy Murph. This man just continues to impress me game-in and game-out. He really changes the power forward spot. This guy can really do it all, hit three’s, make rebounds, post-scorer, and…well anything!
This man here scored 14 points, twelve rebounds, and one block per game last season with the Blue and Gold. Murphy is looking for another big year, and it with Tyler Hansbrough and Josh McRoberts suiting him, nothing can be in Indy’s way at power forward.
Center: Roy Hibbert
Chris McGrath/Getty Images
RIBBERT! Okay, sorry, that’s just a cool nickname I JUST came up with for this big 7’2″ Iron Man. Hibbert had an okay rookie season as he averaged seven points, four rebounds, and one block per game. If only if he can stop making those damn fouls, things will be alright.
Behind Ribbert are Jeff Foster and Solomon Jones. Both are also seven-feet tall in height (oh man, in width, that’d be scary) and they look to be punishing this season. Watch out for the Center spot, these guys look dangerous and these are the athletes you DO NOT want to mess with.