by joeygraham on Sat Nov 15, 2008 5:42 am
C Rasho Nesterovic
Stats: 8.7 PPG 8.8 RPG 2.4 APG 0.57 SPG 0.94 BPG 30.9 MPG .518 FG% .000 3P% .615 FT%
Grade: B+
Rasho has solidly held his own in the middle for the Pacers. While his blocks per game is a little disappointing, he's been a surprisingly potent on offence when called upon. His contract comes off the books but with only Roy Hibbert and Jeff Foster as replacements, he may don the Pacers' blue and yellow once more.
FC Troy Murphy
Stats: 12.1 PPG 8.7 RPG 1.1 APG 1.03 SPG 1.26 BPG 34.1 MPG .406 FG% .221 3P% .893 FT%
Grade: C-
There were two different Troy Murphy's on display this season: the first was an offensive force who could score at will, played rugged defence around the basket and often led the team to victory in the absence of Danny Granger. The second struggled to put the ball in the basket from just about anywhere, seemed lost on defence and found himself riding pine more and more. Most disappointing was his 41% field goal percentage, including 22% from behind the three-point arc, where he needed to be more effective. When he his being outplayed by Rasho Nesterovic, there is trouble: that's just what was happening in the last few games. His defensive numbers were impressive, averaging over a block and a steal per game, and while rarely is it the case that one's contributions appear better in the stats line than they do in the game, with Troy it has been one of those instances.
SF Danny Granger
Stats: 18.8 PPG 5.1 RPG 2.9 APG 1.54 SPG 1.14 BPG 33.3 MPG .432 FG% .271 3P% .789 FT%
Grade: B+
Injuries and higher expectations bring Danny's grade down. He's missed 7 games thus far to two separate injuries which is cause for alarm and may contribute to his 27% three-point shooting. All of his statistics should improve with more minutes save his shooting percentages, which will result from extra time in the gym. In spite of his B+ grade he is the unquestioned team leader.
GF Mike Dunleavy
Stats: 16.8 PPG 3.8 RPG 1.3 APG 1.86 SPG 0.63 BPG 34.7 MPG .432 FG% .267 3P% .869 FT%
Grade: B-
Mike has had stellar days but for the most part has been just above mediocre. His defense has been suspect, though his 1.86 steals per game is a pleasant surprise, and his distribution has been very sub-par. He can score fairly adeptly and is a wiz at the stripe. He, like Troy Murphy, seem to suffer from consistency issues, but Mike's seem to fluctuate with more randomness.
PG T.J. Ford
Stats: 14.2 PPG 2.8 RPG 7.4 APG 1.97 SPG 0.49 BPG 32.7 MPG .486 FG% .324 3P% .821 FT%
Grade: A
T.J. has done exactly what he was brought over to do: be the floor general with an eye for assists but also capable of putting points up himself. His 14.2 points per game puts his third on the team it's coming with fantastic percentages. While his small stature has been a liablility on defence, he is providing almost two steals a game.
GF Brandon Rush
Stats: 8.5 PPG 2.6 RPG 1.1 APG 0.77 SPG 0.40 BPG 21.4 MPG .388 FG% .159 3P% .764 FT%
Grade: B
Brandon's been the first substitution off the bench and has excelled beyond his stats indicate. He is a streaky shooter which is unfortunate given that "shooter" was the label given to him out of college. He is tenacious on both ends of the floor and does earn the minutes he plays.
FC Udonis Haslem
Stats: 6.1 PPG 4.3 RPG 0.9 APG 0.58 SPG 0.64 BPG 17.1 MPG .531 FG% .000 3P% .784 FT%
Grade: B+
Udonis' stats consist of his time in Indiana and Miami, the former of which are significantly better. He has seen an expanded role in Indiana, especially in light of Troy Murphy's struggles. His defence has been the surprising factor, having multiple multiple-block games, and he has been a force of the offensive boards. He is consistent from the floor but hardly taxing on opponents' efforts.
C Roy Hibbert
Stats: 4.5 PPG 4.7 RPG 1.0 APG 0.54 SPG 0.77 BPG 15.6 MPG .533 FG% .000 3P% .636 FT%
Grade: C
Roy's development has not come as quick as anticipated. Hoping he could step into the starting centre role early on, he was given plenty of opportunity early on and showed flashes but not nearly enough to displace Rasho Nesterovic and now is battling with Jeff Foster for minutes at centre off the bench. He's still a big player with talent but it may take more time for him to become a standout middleman, especially on offence.
G Jarrett Jack
Stats: 5.4 PPG 1.3 RPG 2.4 APG 0.66 SPG 0.17 BPG 11.5 MPG .484 FG% .000 3P% .844 FT%
Grade: A
In his reserve role, Jarrett was positively dominant. He was often able to post up smaller guards and played rugged defence. While lacking an outside shot, he was unafraid to attack the basket and his percentages from the field and the line were fantastic. His 2.4 assists per game ranked third on the team.
GF Marquis Daniels
Stats: 3.9 PPG 1.4 RPG 0.6 APG 0.43 SPG 0.11 BPG 12.5 MPG .474 FG% .000 3P% .595 FT%
Grade: B-
Marquis started 6 games in place of Danny Granger and put up respectable numbers; however, upon returning to the bench he moved below Brandon Rush on the depth chart. He is a very good slasher and can create his own shot inside of 15 feet but it's a crapshoot outside of that range.
FC Jeff Foster
Stats: 1.6 PPG 1.5 RPG 0.1 APG 0.27 SPG 0.15 BPG 5.4 MPG .471 FG% .000 3P% .692 FT%
Grade: C+
Once it was apparent that Roy Hibbert was not ready to take the reins, Jeff received a little more playing time than his usually allotted garbage minutes. He played well and hustled, though failed to do anything spectacular.
GF Yakhouba Diawara
Stats: 1.7 PPG 0.6 RPG 0.0 APG 0.00 SPG 0.00 BPG 3.3 MPG .500 FG% .400 3P% 1.000 FT%
Grade: C
Acquired along with Udonis Haslem from Miami, Yakhouba did not see much play in close contests but showed an ability to defend and hit outside shots when given court time.
GF Stephen Graham
Stats: 2.7 PPG 0.6 RPG 0.1 APG 0.30 SPG 0.00 BPG 6.6 MPG .259 FG% .000 3P% .765 FT%
Grade: D
Even when given an opportunity to start Stephen still could not muster up enough and was relegated to the end of the bench. He shot a paltry 26% from the field and seemed lost in general.
PG Travis Diener
Stats: 3.3 PPG 0.0 RPG 0.3 APG 0.00 SPG 0.00 BPG 3.7 MPG 1.000 FG% 1.000 3P% .000 FT%
Grade: C+
Travis saw action at the end of three games, recording all 10 points in one contest. He is a capable shooter and distributor, as seen last season in the starting role.
Last edited by
joeygraham on Tue Nov 18, 2008 8:21 pm, edited 1 time in total.