Pacers' Season Preview Minus Granger

Although the Indiana Pacers had a few question marks to answer before the season began, this was still a team expected to win the Central Division and claim a top four seed in the playoffs. Today it was announced that Danny Granger is out “indefinitely” due to a knee injury. Granger’s absence from the roster is going to significantly alter the way the team operates and will likely cost them wins. Granger led the team in points scored and minutes played last season and has always been considered the captain of the team. 
The starting rotation, as of today:

Center-Roy Hibbert

Power Forward- David West

Small Forward-Gerald Green

Shooting Guard- Paul George

Point Guard- George Hill

-players in bold were on the Pacers last season

Hibbert was an All-Star last year but he still has areas of improvement. Everybody is expecting Paul George to have a breakout season and elevate his game. With Granger out, it will be necessary for George and Hibbert to make up for his absence. George Hill will also need to produce more offensively. He was given a big contract in the offseason and he needs to prove he was worth the money. Green played in 32 games for the Boston Celtics last season and averaged 5.2 points per game. Obviously he will have to score more points as a starter. He needs to establish himself as a weapon to draw defenders away from his teammates. David West was solid last season and he should continue to be a solid foundation and quiet leader for the team.

The bench is where the Pacers made huge upgrades in the offseason. 
Here is how the backup rotation currently sits:

Center- Ian Mahinmi, Miles Plumlee (rookie)

Power Forward- Tyler Hansbrough, Jeff Pendergraph

Small Forward- Sam Young, Danny Granger (injured)

Shooting Guard- Lance Stephenson, Orlando Johnson (rookie)

Point Guard- D.J. Augustin, Ben Hansbrough

-players in bold were on the Pacers last season

Ian Mahinmi is a fifth-year player who will be a great substitute for Hibbert. Mahinmi is 6’ 11”, 230 lbs. and has great athletic ability. Hansbrough plays brilliantly at times but needs to be more consistent with that play. Sam Young is a player known for his defensive skills. Lance Stephenson continues to be a work in progress but if he can improve his game this season that would seriously help the Pacers. D.J. Augustin has been impressive in preseason practices and games. Hansbrough is a former Notre Dame player and somebody I am a huge fan of although I’m not sure if he will be able to compete in the NBA. Orlando Johnson and Miles Plumlee are the Pacers’ 2012 Draft Picks and I doubt they will see a lot of significant minutes this year.

Like I said earlier, the Pacers had high expectations from themselves, from fans, and from the national media. They are expected to compete against the Bulls for the Central Division Championship and home-court advantage in the Eastern Conference playoffs. I have high expectations too but we are nowhere near the level of the Miami Heat or L.A. Lakers. We may be there next season but not this year. I am predicting somewhere between 45-50 wins for the team and a trip to the second round of the playoffs. I’m setting the bar low because this team has too many unanswered questions. How long is Granger out? Who will step up in his absence? Will Paul George prove to be an elite player? Will Hibbert have another big season? How will the bench players perform?

Upcoming Games

10/31- at Toronto Raptors

11/2 - at Charlotte Bobcats

11/3 - vs. Sacramento Kings

11/5 - at San Antonio Spurs

11/7 - at Atlanta Hawks

11/9 - at Minnesota Timberwolves

11/10- vs. Washington Wizards

The Pacers have 16 games in October/November and 10 of those are on the road. 6 games are against teams that had winning records last season. In the first stretch of games I listed only two teams had winning records last year and are the only two the Pacers should lose. That would be the San Antonio Spurs and Atlanta Hawks. Indiana should start the season at 5-2 or 4-3 at the very least. I will have another Pacers article after this stretch of games is completed.