Reminiscing The Days Of Former Pacers Star Danny Granger

Granger became a 20-point scorer in the next four seasons – his gaudy average of 25.8 points per game ranked him fifth in the league.

He outscored guys such as Kevin Garnett, Chris Paul, and Carmelo Anthony that year.

To nobody’s surprise, he became an NBA All-Star.

Granger had one of the sweetest strokes in Pacers history – whether it was a mid-range jumper, fadeaway, three-pointer, or leaner, he was money when the game was on the line.

Granger Hasn’t Received The Recognition He Deserves 

Granger’s star shone brightest when the Pacers were a team that averaged roughly 35 wins per season during the Jim O’Brien era from 2007 to 2011.

Granger carried the load for Indiana during that time frame.

Unfortunately, the Pacers just couldn’t make any headway with O’Brien at the helm.

Had he played for a perennial playoff contender, fans would have remembered his legacy to this very day.

Injuries also took a massive toll on Granger’s tenure in Indianapolis.

A left knee injury limited Granger to just five games in the 2012-13 NBA season.

Granger suited up in 41 games the following year before the Pacers traded him to the Philadelphia 76ers for Evan Turner and Lavoy Allen.

Sadly, Turner never panned out in Pacers Blue and Gold.

For Granger’s part, his downfall coincided with Paul George‘s rise to NBA superstardom.

Granger was a shade of his old self in his final season with the Pacers – he averaged just 8.3 points per game prior to the trade with Philly.

It was also obvious Granger never wanted to leave Indiana.

To make things worse, the Pacers shipped him to a then-perennial doormat – the Sixers.

No. 33 Left A Lasting Legacy 

Although Granger’s career in Indiana ended on a sour note, he left a lasting legacy.

He did his job without running his mouth or showing off night in and night out.

Granger could’ve easily bolted for a title contender at the peak of his NBA career.

However, he didn’t.

Reggie Miller was the prime example of loyalty when he wore Pacers Blue and Gold for his entire NBA career from 1987 to 2005.

Granger also took loyalty to a different level – he chose to remain in Indiana even though the Pacers had no shot at making the playoffs.

He didn’t deserve to have his career end the way it did.

The best Pacers fans can do is cherish his legacy and appreciate his time in Indianapolis.

Thank you, Danny Granger.