I’m beginning to wonder if head coach Jim O’Brien really knows what he’s doing. He is starting to cut 24-year old center Roy Hibbert’s minutes for some ungodly reason. In his last 5 games, Hibbert is averaging 23.4 minutes, 10.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. Hibbert has now played in 32 games (31 starts) overall this year and he is averaging 28.7 minutes, 13.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists per game and 1.8 blocked shots per game. If the Pacers ever put Roy Hibbert on the trading block maybe they would finally see what they really have in him. It’s beyond dumb to have Hibbert not playing at least 30 minutes per night as he is a legit 7-foot center with talent at both ends of the court.

27-year old SG/SF Danny Granger is one of the least appreciated stars in the NBA but the man can flat out play. Granger has played in 27 games (all starts) for the Pacers so far this year and he is averaging 37.1 minutes, 21.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.0 blocked shot per game. The Pacers really need to get some other players to start stepping up offensively so that Granger doesn’t have to deal with as many double teams as he has endured so far this year.

The Pacers wanted more toughness, rebounding and defense out of the power forward position so they have turned to 33-year old Jeff Foster. In his last 2 games, Foster is averaging 19.5 minutes, 4.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 2.0 blocked shots per game. Foster has now played in 7 games (2 starts) so far this year for the Pacers and he is averaging 13.3 minutes, 2.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 0.7 assists and 1.7 blocked shots per game. Foster will continue to get minutes as long as he can stay healthy.

23-year old power forward Josh McRoberts just couldn’t seem to get off the bench until this season.  He has played in 21 games (all starts) for the Pacers so far this year and he is averaging 23.9 minutes, 6.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.2 blocked shots per game.  McRoberts is shooting 47% from the floor and a amazing 43.2% from three point range so far this year.  The amazing thing for me though is that McRoberts is only shooting 66% from the free throw line. 

27-year old SG/SF Danny Granger is still rolling along for the Indiana Pacers. He has played in 16 games (all starts) for the Pacers so far this year and he is averaging 37.8 minutes, 22.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.0 blocked shot per game. Granger is shooting 45.2% from the floor, 41.7% from three point range and 88% from the free throw line this year. Danny Granger is the Rodney Dangerfield of the NBA as he never seems to get the respect he deserves as a player.