The Indiana Pacers are heading into the 2013-14 season with high expectations after taking the Miami Heat to the limit in the Eastern conference playoffs last season and one of the biggest factors for the team will be the return of Danny Granger and his health going forward.
Granger was mentioned in a number of trade rumors over the summer, but the Pacers held tight, deciding to keep him into the start of the season and after playing in just five games this past season, he returned over the weekend in the preseason. According to ESPN.com, Granger was back on the court for the Pacers as they played against the Chicago Bulls, playing nearly 30 minutes after missing nearly all of last year with a knee injury.
Granger was solid in his debut, but scored just six points while making two of 10 shots and the team ended up losing to the Bulls. His return to the court was a promising sign for the team, while head coach Frank Vogel said that he looked "rusty" getting back on the court, something that was expected after the long injury layoff. Granger came into the game in the first quarter and there has been questions about whether or not he will get back into the starting lineup after his spot was taken by Lance Stephenson last season.
Granger said he felt good on the court returning and the Pacers sure would like him to be back to form, as he previously averaged 25 points in a season and is coming in with 18 points on average in his career and the team could use that off the bench. The trade rumors likely will pick up as the season goes on, but it is a good sign that Granger made it back on the court without reaggravating any issues.
