I first saw Granger play in 2005, when he was a senior at New Mexico. His Lobos were playing Utah, which featured consensus Naismith Award winner and presumptive number one pick Andrew Bogut, who was in the middle of an impressive sophomore year in which he logged 26 double-doubles. Granger, though, give the big man fits all night long and, according to the announcers, had his way against the Aussie throughout Bogut’s two-year collegiate career.
I remember liking Granger’s game but not giving him much thought at that time. I never imagined he’d have much impact in the NBA. More of a defensive guy, I thought, than a true offensive threat. (Full disclosure: I was more excited about sleeper picks Joey Graham and Hakim Warrick, who were selected 16th and 19th, respectively, in the NBA Draft later that spring.) Donnie Walsh, though, as the then-general manager of the Pacers, grabbed up Granger with the 17th pick, and, in the three seasons since, Granger has become one of the most talented young players in the league, averaging 25 points a night.
How good is he? I’m going to go out on a limb and say he could one day be as good as Paul Pierce. Seriously. I'm not kidding. Granger's just that talented.
To wit: In his last three games, Granger has put up 35, 36 and, last night against Phoenix, a cool 37 points, including this ridiculous three at the buzzer to steal the game from the Suns, via NBA Fanhouse.
Welcome to Danny Granger's coming-out party. You've arrived just in time.
(Via NBA Fanhouse)
