Troy Murphy continues to be one of the most underrated players in the NBA. He has played in 20 games (18 starts) for the Pacers this season and he is averaging 31.8 minutes, 13.4 points, 9.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game. Although I like rookie Tyler Hansbrough he should not be taking minutes away from Murphy who is one of the best players on the team right now. If they feel the need to play Hansbrough over Murphy then they should trade him and throw the towel in on this season.

SG/SF Dahntay Jones is playing without a doubt the best basketball of his NBA career right now. He has played in 14 games (9 starts) for the Pacers this season and he has averaged 33.4 minutes, 16.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.1 blocked shots per game. Jones filled in for Troy Murphy as the starting power forward while he was out of action and he responded with solid play. He’s a little small to play there but he did his best. Jones will probably be the sixth man for the Pacers the rest of the season unless someone gets hurt.

The Pacers needed some of their young players to step up and they have this pre-season for the Pacers.  Roy Hibbert was great in the pivot for the Pacers earning the starting job at center.  He played in 7 games (4 starts) in the pre-season and he averaged 24.0 minutes, 13.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 3.6 blocked shots per game.  The Pacers also were very happy with Brandon Rush who will enter the season as the starting shooting guard.  He played in 7 games (all starts) in the pre-season for the Pacers and he averaged 30.1 minutes, 12.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 steal and 1.3 blocked shots per game.  The Pacers will be ecstatic if Rush’s fine play spills over into the regular season.

Jeff Foster has been one of the best backup centers in the NBA for some time now and this season has been no different. Foster has played in 32 games so far this season and he is averaging 23.3 minutes, 5.8 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. Most of his shots come from close range as he’s shooting 49.7% from the floor this season. Foster would be good enough to start for a lot of teams based on his rebounding and toughness alone and the Pacers are lucky to have him.

Jermaine O’Neal and Jamaal Tinsley are off to outstanding starts in December. Jermaine O’Neal is finally looking like his old self this month. In 3 games this month he is averaging 33.0 minutes, 21.7 points, 10.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.0 steal and 1.7 blocks per game. Jamaal Tinsley has been one of the best point guards in the NBA so far in December. In 3 games he has averaged 38.3 minutes, 22.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, 9.7 assists and 2.3 steals per game. If these guys both keep playing like they are right now the Pacers could be a surprise team in the NBA this season.