I know that the Pacers want to trade T.J. Ford. But, he is the best point guard on the roster (without a doubt) and they are being really stupid in not playing him. In his last two games, Ford has averaged 24.5 minutes, 15.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists on 72.2% shooting from the floor. The most impressive thing about Ford’s last two games is that he wasn’t rusty after sitting for 18 games in a row while healthy. Ford has now played in 33 games (25 starts) for the Pacers this season and he is averaging 24.9 minutes, 10.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game. The way to showcase a player you want to trade is by giving him the most minutes possible and Larry Bird should know that. If nothing else the Pacers should play Ford to make him earn the $8,5000,000 bucks he is making this season.

Danny Granger has been dealing with a heel injury all season, and it ended up being a torn right plantar fascia.  Granger was out December 6th to January 5th because of it, and since his return he has not been the same offensive threat Pacers’ fans have grown accustom to seeing.  It’s normal for a player to struggle a bit in his first few games back from injury, but Granger has played in 15 games since his return and is still struggling.  In those 15 games since his return from injury, Granger is shooting 39% while averaging 20.3 points, 3.0 assists, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.6 steals.  He is really struggling with his outside shot, hitting only 31% of his threes, which makes you wonder if his heel is still bothering him.  He just isn’t getting the same lift as he usually does and that can really affect a true jump shooter’s shot.  The Pacers have struggled a lot this year and are 17-32.  Danny Granger and his ailing heel are the main reason why.

The Pacers will be without center Jeff Foster for the rest of the year because he needs back surgery. Foster played in 16 games (3 starts) for the Pacers this season and he averaged 15.9 minutes, 3.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game. The Pacers were trying to trade Foster to teams needing help in the paint but that all ends just like Foster’s season. The Pacers won’t miss Foster too much the rest of the way as they weren’t playing him much anyway.

Back-up shooting guard Luther Head comes into a game with one goal which is putting the ball in the basket. He has played in 34 games (10 starts) for the Pacers this season and he is averaging 18.8 minutes, 8.3 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game. Head is not a great long range shooter anymore but he does give the Pacers a needed injection of offense whenever he comes onto the court making him an asset.

Danny Granger was an All-Star and the winner of the NBA Most Improved Player Award last year for the Indiana Pacers, but a heel injury has set the Pacers’ star back this season.  After missing over a month for the Pacers due to his heel injury, Granger returned January 8th and is still trying to get his consistency back.  Granger was able to put together some good games against the Raptors, Suns and Nets (all wins) but his shot has not been as consistent as it was for him last year and earlier this season.  Since his return, Granger has played in 7 games in which he has shot 37.% from the field.  In the Pacers most recent game, a blowout loss to the Heat, Granger had only 8 points on 2-16 shooting.  Granger is the Pacers’ best player by far, and he is really going to need to get himself out of this funk or they will continue to struggle.