Wednesday will be a big day for the Pacers and guard Mike Dunleavy. Dunleavy, after a 34 game absence, will be making his '08-'09 regular season debut against the Suns. After a 135-115 shelacking at the hands of the Nuggets, the Pacers are looking to Dunleavy to provide a spark against Shaq, J-Rich, and the rest of the Suns. Though he will be limited in minutes, his value to the team will be immense on the offensive end and can not hurt on the defensive end, which has been porous for the Pacers.
I will say that I am disappointed with the Pacers record. Yes, they've had a brutal schedule, sickness, and injuries, but nothing a team shouldn't be able to withstand if the talent is there. And it kind of is. Danny Granger is proving night after night that he is an all-star. A solid, more athletic version of Kevin Durant, who is also having a stellar year. Yet, it is clear that this team lacks a defensive mentallity and perhaps the addition of Dunleavy will aid in that area. Dunleavy's return makes this team deeper and more potent on offense, which in return takes more pressure off the defense. Dunleavy brings his 19 pts, 3 assists, and 5 boards to this team, making the bench stronger with Daniels returning to the wood.
This 5 game road trip means a lot. Actually the next 8 of 10 games they are facing playoff teams from last year, so the next 10 games are imperative to the Pacers' hopes of returning to the playoffs.
