Hater Watch: Pacers Tyler Hansbrough Continues Prove Doubters Wrong

Sat, 30 Oct 2010 02:56:21 +0000

After he enjoyed such great success at North Carolina, playing for the Tar Heels, many pro scouts never thought Tyler Hansbrough would be talented enough to do anything in the NBA.

However, his play in college epitomized the type of player that Larry Bird loves to pick up in the draft: a four-year collegiate athlete who is a proven leader and carried his team on his back. So, they went ahead and took the chance on the North Carolina star.

Bird also stated that Hansbrough reminded Bird of himself when he was coming into the NBA. Not only are they both undersized forwards at 6’9”, but both of them were doubted as they pursued their professional career.

Obviously, Bird became a legend and led his Boston Celtics teams to three championships while he was in the league, but Bird hopes that Hansbrough can do the same in proving doubters wrong.

So, given the opportunity, he broke into the league with a chip on his shoulder, ready to start a career with a target on his back. After all, if he can do it against bigger, stronger opponents in college, who’s to say he can’t do it in the NBA?

His first year was cut short, however, when he went out with an inner ear infection 29 games into the season. Complications with that injury forced him to sit out the rest of the season after averaging 8.5 points and 4.8 rebounds a game to start off his career.

This offseason, though, Larry Bird said that he looks for Hansbrough to become a bigger part of this team in this upcoming season after the loss of Troy Murphy. Hansbrough will split that time with Indiana native Josh McRoberts.

Yet, the season opener arrived and Hansbrough still was an afterthought as he sat out the whole game.

“He’s behind. You earn your playing time. He missed a year of basketball. Anybody that walks in and thinks he’s just going to get playing time, that’s not going to happen,” Coach Jim O’Brien told the Indianapolis Star.

Hansbrough must have caught up fast, however, because he was back in action Friday night as the Pacers took on the Bobcats.

Not only did he score 12 points off the bench, but he came up with one crucial rebound down the stretch which followed by two made free throws to put the Pacers ahead by three. He also knocked down a mid-range jumper from the baseline to put Indiana ahead in the last two minutes of the game.

His energy also impacted the game a lot as the game wore on. Out-hustling opponents for long rebounds and loose balls will be the story of his career, as it was in college. However, what he did tonight was no less than helping them edge out the Bobcats, a 2009 playoff team.

So, yes, he has a long way to go, but tonight proved that Hansbrough is ready to have an impact on this league. He has shown time and time again that he will execute in crunch-time and will out-work anyone. That type of attitude and go-get-it mentality will only help him as he continues to develop as a professional player.

Pacers Preview: A Deeper Look into the Season Opener Against the Spurs

Wed, 27 Oct 2010 20:02:56 +0000

The Pacers are taking their talents to San Antonio, where they face a tough road test to open their 2010-211 NBA season.

The good news is the Pacers will have a fully healthy roster to open the regular season. Danny Granger will be ready to go after spraining his ankle earlier in the preseason. Backup point guard T.J. Ford will also be ready for the Pacers after suffering from a sore hamstring since the opening of training camp.

The bad news for Indiana is that they face an equally healthy Spurs team that has its sights set on another playoff run with Duncan, Parker and Ginobili.

Much like Roy Hibbert for the Pacers, the Spurs have seen a much improved Tim Duncan coming into this year. He has lost some weight and seems to finally be 100 percent healthy. With a rejuvenated Spurs team ready to open the season at home, the Pacers will have to play excellent basketball.

The two teams’ offensive game plans couldn’t be any more different.

The Spurs like to set up their half-court offense and work it around, trying to wear down the defense. The Pacers are always looking to push and are ready to run with their young, athletic team. The Spurs may be older, but they have much more experience that will most likely prove to be the difference.

History has shown us that the teams with experience seem to prevail in the long run. The Lakers, Celtics and Spurs are living proof of this. Younger teams like Chicago, Orlando, Atlanta and Oklahoma City have done well, but they haven’t built up that experience yet.

Coaching: Spurs

The matchups always start at the top, and the Spurs have the clear advantage there.

While Gregg Popovich is one of the most respected coaches in the league, Jim O’Brien comes back to Indiana for his fourth season—if there isn’t any improvement this year, he is almost assured to lose his job before next season.Popovich has a very impressive resumé, and he knows what he is doing. This team has been together for quite some time, and don’t expect him to not have his team ready for this game.

While the Pacers will clearly be underdogs for this game, he knows all too well that you can’t overlook any opponent. The edge here is clearly to the Spurs.

Point Guard: Spurs

The point guard spot is an interesting one in a sense that the two matching up are miles apart in different aspects of the game.

While Darren Collison has youth, athleticism and speed on his side, Tony Parker is a veteran that can take over at any point of the game. He is relentless in getting to the basket and finishing. These two leaders may not be that similar, but they are both considered big pieces to their team’s respective puzzles for the season. In a game like this, the veteran almost always gets the edge, though, so this one goes to Mr. Longoria.

Shooting Guard: Spurs

The shooting guards for both teams are similar in their situations but very different in their roles.

While Mike Dunleavy is finally playing basketball with a clean bill of health, he will be looked to hit open shots and provide help on defense. Whether the Spurs go with Manu Ginobili or George Hill, they will both be looking to attack the rim. Ginobili is one of the best in the game at driving to the basket, and he almost always is able to finish. Most often it is a layup, sometimes a foul—sometimes both.

No matter how you slice it, the Pacers are without Brandon Rush now, so it is important for Dunleavy to play quality minutes, and whoever fills in when he needs a breather will have to play solid defense. Once again, give the edge to the Spurs.

Small Forward: Pacers

At small forward there are a lot of questions for both sides.

For the Pacers, Danny Granger looks to hit the floor for the first time after spraining his ankle in preseason play. His summer has been well documented, and his playing time (or lack thereof) really put a magnifying glass on his weakness as a player. His lack of defense virtually got him nothing but a spot on the bench this year with the USA team. He is still the leader of the Pacers, and they will rely on his offense as usual.

Richard Jefferson has been surrounded by questions all offseason before finally re-signing with the Spurs. People weren’t sure if he was the right fit with San Antonio, but he said he is ready now more than ever to prove his worth. While I do believe he is a valuable player, I give the edge to Granger and the Pacers at this spot.

Power Forward: Spurs

The power forward position has been the biggest question surrounding this Pacers team ever since they made the trade to acquire Darren Collison. The loss of Troy Murphy is something they were willing to deal with, and they think they have adequate solutions…for now.

Josh McRoberts has surprised everyone with his emergence as the starting PF. Tyler Hansbrough is finally healthy and should see some minutes. He might be better suited to guard DeJuan Blair than Duncan, but he and McRoberts should be able to keep Duncan from having a 40/14 night. If Duncan is playing this spot as opposed to center, there is no easier way to say—edge goes to the Spurs.

Center: Spurs…by a Hair

The center position is one that could really be a key factor in the game. Hibbert has impressed everyone with his offseason workouts and his readiness to accept a larger role with the team. The Pacers will now look to run some of their offense through him.

The Spurs might want to start DeJuan Blair for most of the season, but I don’t know if he starts this game at center. I would imagine McRoberts/Hansbrough would take on Blair, while Hibbert would try to contain Duncan. This could be the biggest matchup as far as the five positions go for me.

If Hibbert is able to stay out of foul trouble and play solid defense on Duncan, he might be able to give the Pacers a chance. On the other hand, if the veteran Duncan is able to get Roy into foul trouble, it’s hard to see the Pacers having a shot at this game. If Blair is at center, I give the edge to the Pacers; if Duncan is at center, the edge goes to the Spurs.

Conclusion: Spurs Win

I think the PG and C position battles could be a wash (or at least close enough) which really makes it a battle between the other three spots. Although I give Granger the clear edge at SF, I just don’t see the Pacers being able to stop Ginobili/George and one of the two big fellas. Couple that with the crystal clear coaching edge, and you have the Spurs opening up the season stress-free with a decisive win over the Pacers.

Not to worry Pacers fans, this team will be much improved from last year, but asking them to open up the season on the road with a win against a rejuvenated Spurs team is just too much, too soon. I wouldn’t have a heart attack if the Pacers somehow pulled this one out, but I see the Spurs winning this one by double digits.

Always Miller Time » Troy Murphy

Hater Watch: Pacers Tyler Hansbrough Continues Prove Doubters Wrong

Pacers Preview: A Deeper Look into the Season Opener Against the Spurs