Can the Indiana Pacers win 40 games at 09-10?

The Indiana Pacers one season are not up to their standards at 08′-09′ winning only 36 games. With Reggie Miller gone, Indiana State is looking to Danny Granger to help create a perennial playoff team once again like the 1990s. Granger’s scoring averages have increased every year since he’s been in the league since the 04 ‘. 08′-09’ Granger was fifth in scoring with 25.1 points per game; look for another similar year this season too.

The Pacers have a young team with good prospects. Defense was their deathblow last season, giving up more points than they could score. We have to put more emphasis on defense, we know the team can score.

The Central division should be an improvement overall: The Chicago Bulls are potentially a 40-win team, the Cleveland Cavs acquired Shaquille O’Neal and will be the top contenders. The Pacers will have to improve on their 36-win season if they hope to make the playoffs. The Pacers selected AJ Price and Tyler Hansbrough; the game time you’ll see should probably be limited at the beginning of the season, but increase as the season goes on. Unless you’re an outstanding rookie, rookies see little action in their first season.

The last time the Pacers finished with a record over .500 was in the 04-05 season: Pacers fans hope to avoid another sub-.500 season for the fifth year in a row. Head coach Jim O’Brien has a good group of young talent he’d like to mold into a playoff team that can at least compete against the best teams in the East. If O’Brien pulls off another 36-win season, his job could be in jeopardy. President of Basketball Operations Larry Bird is a patient man, but he can’t tolerate another losing season.