You still believe that? I thought I had already laid that myth to rest. How many games do they have to win without him before you realize this?
Pacers with Granger = .465 (237-273)
Pacers without Granger = .524 (43-39)
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Your way of viewing sports is just really wrong... you talk about players based on stats without even knowing who they are or having watched them. A few posts ago you were giving your thoughts on Pablo while thinking he was a 20 year old and he's 35.
Anyways, you fail to grasp the concept of teams improving and taking into account it's a new season altogether. Giants went 8-8 and then won the Super Bowl and then they missed the playoffs the following season. Why is that? They played with exact same team that was .500 but improved to the point of winning the Super Bowl. They also played with the exact same team as they missed the playoffs the following year.
For whatever reason, you just write off the idea that teams can improve. But that's right, the Pacers would have been the exact same team last year. Really, Lance Stephenson is the reason for this epic improvement. I expected the team to improve from last season, that doesn't connect with you though. Aside from the fact it's a new season, here's a number of factors in reasons they could have improved...
1. Last season was a shortened season with less time to practice/workout heading into the season. --- Couldn't more practice and being in better shape make for a better season?
2. Last season's schedule was more compact with fewer nights off. --- Couldn't playing a regular schedule benefit them?
3. It was Frank Vogel, David West and George Hill's first year with the season. --- Couldn't chemistry improve?
4. David West had returned from an ACL tear --- Most players aren't at full health in their first season back, couldn't he be healthier this season?
5. George Hill wasn't the starter last season --- Couldn't him starting impact their record?
6. Paul George, Roy Hibbert and George Hill were all 25 or younger last season --- A lot of players aren't in their prime at the age of 21-25, could they not have improved?
To answer some of these questions, two different seasons is already flawed. Add in the fact that last season was a shortened season which changes everything makes it really flawed. Not to mention, while a number of teams/coaches already had their system in place, Frank Vogel didn't have time to install his system with it being a shortened season. He just continued dumbing down the system from the previous season when he took over as the interim coach following the firing of O'brien.
Don't discount chemistry either. On top if it being Vogel's first season as head coach, David West and George Hill were in their first season with the Pacers last season. One would hope that their chemistry would have improved coming into this season. I recall a learning curve for the Heat and Knicks. Why are the Pacers exempt to it?
Lastly, the improvement of the younger players can't be overlooked, especially Paul George. Roy Hibbert has been better defensively and George Hill/Paul George are having their best season to date. Hill had never even averaged 3 assists in a season and he's average 5 assists this season. His scoring average is also higher than it's ever been. And Paul George... the team was struggling earlier in the season, but he's completely taken over.
Riddle me this... the team went 8-9 in their first 17 games and 14-5 in their last 19 games. You claim the team is better without Granger because they've won more without him this season but he hasn't played at all this season and the exact same roster has improved. Could it be chemistry? Could it be younger players improve? This might have something to do with it...
Paul George first 17 games(8-9)
13.4pts(38.1%fg, 36.2%3pt) 6.4rebs 3.4asts 1.1stls .6blks
Paul George last 19 games(14-5)
20.1pts(43.0%fg, 37.1%3pt) 8.5rebs 3.5asts 2.0stls .9blks
You didn't lay anything to rest, I just let it go because you're so completely wrong. The team having a better record this season proves absolutely nothing. Because you don't watch the games or know anything about the Pacers, you write of the human factor and I just point out a ton of stuff that plays an impact. Seriously, tell me how the exact same roster went from 8-9 to 14-5 with the exact same roster? Granger or no Granger, this team had so many variables to improve from last season. Granger is their best player, I'm sorry you can't accept being wrong on this. They'd be even better right now if they had him. You want to know how I know this? Because I actually watch the Pacers and it's not hard to see he's better than Lance Stephenson.
Knowing what I know about the Pacers, I expected them to be better this season. With a shortened season, a 22 year old, two 25 year olds, a player coming off a torn acl, two players new to the team and a first time head coach... wouldn't you believe it's possible the team could improve this season on those reasons alone? You just want to be so right that you can't look at it objectively. I really am looking forward to your explanation on the teams turn around after the first 17 games with the exact same roster though. After all, you think the team having a better record is as simple as Granger not playing. Teams improve and get worse all the time trotting out the same roster but for some reason, the only explanation in your mind for the Pacers record is Granger is irrelevant or they're better without him. I'm sorry, but that's dumb.