Indiana Pacers: Danny Granger Returns to Cap Off 2014

It’s not every day you get to come back to your initial NBA home for the first time … as an opponent. LeBron James did it in 2011 when he was a member of the Miami Heat. He visited Cleveland. Chris Paul did it in 2011 as a member of the Clippers. He visited New Orleans.

On New Years Eve, Danny Granger would do the same thing. He too, was a member of the Miami Heat. He was returning to face the franchise that drafted him in 2005, out of New Mexico. The Indiana Pacers and Bankers Life Fieldhouse were his home for nine long years.

2014 included a lot of ups and downs for Granger. In fact, it was probably more than he’d ever been through in his career.

Sure, Granger had knee surgeries and lengthy rehab processes that aggravated him and the team. But, he had to fight through something new in 2014.

He was traded by the organization that took him in as a 22-year-old kid.

On February 21 — the day of the 2014 NBA trade deadline — Indiana shipped Granger off to Philadelphia in exchange for Evan Turner and Lavoy Allen. At first, Granger was “pissed.” He couldn’t fathom an East favorite dumping him off before playoff time. Granger had taken majority of the 2013-14 season to nurse a strained calf and get better on his surgically repaired knee.

Indiana, specifically Larry Bird, couldn’t wait around for the old Danny Granger to come through. If he had another injury come April, he figured the ship would sink.

Thus, Evan Turner came along and ultimately sunk the ship completely. His lack of production in the backcourt, as well as chemistry issues with Lance Stephenson, were the basis of an epic downfall. It smelled unpleasant. It reeked of selfish attitudes that weren’t on the same page. The veterans wanted to dethrone Miami and claim a title. The newcomers wanted to shine individually.

Returning to the arena he practiced in for nearly a decade, Granger was struck with a sense of confusion.

“It’s really strange,” Granger said before the game.

He didn’t even know where the visitors’ locker room was, and had to ask an usher where to go. Dwyane Wade, now his teammate after the two went head-to-head in the 2012 East semi-finals, asked him on the plane if it would be weird for him playing in that specific arena again.

Granger expected a mix reaction from the crowd, and that’s exactly what he received. When he checked into the game for the first time, though, it was all about showing appreciation.

“It was nice,” Granger said. “I saw a lot of people wearing my jersey. People [were] yelling ‘We still love you, Danny!’”

Of course they should still love him. He didn’t walk out on the Pacers or his teammates, and he gave them six seasons of averaging double-digits (from 2006-2012). In three of those years, he was over 20 points per night, in the top 10 of the league for his offensive responsibility.

But, there were some of Indianapolis fans that couldn’t get over the fact that he inked a deal with their biggest rival. Boos filled the arena when Granger knocked down two 3-pointers, and scored 14 points for the hated Miami Heat.

“I expected [boos] coming in as an opponent,” Granger said. “I’m sure everyone remembers what I did here. I know how everyone feels about the Miami Heat in Indianapolis [laughs]. That’s no big deal.”

Ever since coming into the league, Granger has been all business. He’s been the type to let his actions speak louder than his words, and it’s exactly why the chemistry was solid as a rock when he was in the Indiana locker room. While the Pacers did return to the East Finals in 2014 without Granger, and did the same in 2013, the thought of them gaining an extra boost with someone they love on the court was probably real. If able to play then, he would’ve put them over the top.

Thus far into his resurgence year with Miami, Granger has been playing his best since the knee surgery in April 2013. In his last three games for Miami, he’s attempted 16 3-pointers and knocked down 10 of them. Becoming just a three-point threat is something Vogel envisioned of him early into the 2013-14 year, but it never worked out. It led to the trade.

Now, he’s feeling the best he has in three or four years. Before the game, Erik Spoelstra expressed that Granger was ahead of schedule in nearly all of his training aspects, and he’s been getting all of his muscles back under his legs about a month ahead of his workout regimen.

For that, we can all be proud of the 31-year-old. Yes, Granger’s not an old man.

As it got closer to game time in Indianapolis, however, the reception had to die down.

What started with pre-game text messages to David West and Paul George over friendly trash talk, ended with bitter defeat for Granger and the Heat.

They had one of their worst quarters this season in terms of discrepancy, allowing Indiana to out-score them 36-19 and crawl back into the game. Vogel’s Pacers trailed by nine at half, but forced a complete turnaround to lead by eight going into the fourth quarter.

Both teams attempted 19 shots in the third quarter, but the difference was in the quality of those looks. Indiana nailed 13, while Miami was stuck at just eight. Those added up, in a hurry. Combining it with the fact that Indiana was flawless in their 3-point attack and free throw efficiency in the third, and you had yourself a tale of two different halves. The Pacers were 3-for-3 from the outside in the third, and 7-0f-7 from the free throw line. That was 16 points that came without misses for Indiana, and something that will throw any team ahead of any past struggle.

The cherry on top was David West’s 3-pointer to cap off the third, as he trailed behind the entire Pacers offense and went unnoticed. Seriously, Hassan Whiteside paid zero attention to West as the clock was ticking down. Instead, he tried to give unnecessary help to Wade, who was guarding sharpshooter C.J. Miles. West may them pay.

Although it’s not something West usually does — he’s only 4-of-11 from deep this season and 48-of-183 during this career — it’s something Vogel should seriously consider as the season shapes out in 2015.

For Indiana, who only scores 101.5 points per 100 possessions (27th overall) and takes the 19th most 3-pointers per game (below average), it’s not going to be harmful for their offense.

When you’re able to knock down the shot from deep, it’s going to open the lanes for Solomon Hill, George Hill, and C.J. Miles to slash and create off the dribble. I didn’t include Copeland, because that’s not something he thrives with. He’s competent as just a stand-still shooter, one that could benefit from the penetration of their other wings.

Not to mention, West taking (and making) more triples each game will set them up for a wicked offense once their bread and butter returns next season.

Paul George, typically known as the best two-play player on Earth, will have much more room and freedom to work with once the floor can open up. Going straight to West and Hibbert post-ups is going to keep Vogel’s offense in the bottom half of the league. When they are back in full health and “championship mode” next season, he can’t have that. They need balance, and perhaps West’s transition is a first step in reaching the goal. He’s 34 years old. Don’t tell me he won’t be a quick adapter.

The man of the night, Danny Granger, closed his evening with a look around the Pacers’ locker room. It was nothing but smiles and memories of what used to be. In a sense, it was also a look at what could’ve been. 

Granger didn’t get to play with this Paul George. Next year, when George returns, many expect him to be in MVP form again.

From the way Miami has appeared this season without LeBron James, their defense is completely lost and undisciplined. That’s one thing he didn’t have to worry about in Indiana.

From the way Chris Bosh discussed how dreadful their chemistry on the court has been this year, it doesn’t spell good signs for the playoffs. That’s another thing Granger wouldn’t have to worry about in Indiana.

Despite Miami’s current eight spot in the playoff picture, despite Indiana’s nasty 12-21 record, it’s pretty evident which team is having more fun to begin 2014-15.