Indy Star The Pacers' locker room was empty except for two players who combined to pull down 28 rebounds in Indiana's 94-81 victory Tuesday night over the San Antonio Spurs at Conseco Fieldhouse. Separated by just an empty locker, Pacers forward Ron Artest called rookie Danny Granger over to congratulate him for his 19-point, 15-rebound performance against the defending NBA champions. "He's very, very good," said Artest, who had 20 points and 13 rebounds. "I feel confident when I'm out there playing with him. He just has to learn how to make plays better. That will come with time. He's going to be an elite player one day." The Pacers may have gotten the steal of the draft in Granger, a projected top-10 pick who slipped to No. 17. Many in the organization have been raving about him for weeks and they say he'll be a contributor this season. Granger added two blocked shots, two steals and drew two offensive fouls. "He ain't a rookie," Pacers guard Stephen Jackson said. "He's playing well and he's carrying himself as a veteran." Granger missed playing in the summer league while his left knee healed and he didn't play in the team's first preseason game because of a sprained ankle. He's averaging 15.5 points and 11 rebounds in the past two preseason games. "The jitters are gone," he said. "I'm playing (power forward) and (small forward). It's hard switching from one spot. I'm getting the hang of it. I'm still making rookie mistakes, but it's only my third game." The shortage of big men has forced Granger to rotate between the forward positions. He'll primarily back up Artest at small forward during the regular season. "He's got to learn two perimeter spots and two post positions," coach Rick Carlisle said. "It's a tall order for a rookie. I admire his diligence. He did a lot of very good things out there. He has some things to get better at as well. He certainly brings the effort." Granger's work ethic has never been questioned, but it's become more intense around Artest. The two would often play one-on-one for hours in the summer until the coaches told them they had to leave the gym. "He plays hard all of the time," Granger said about Artest. "You see some guys do it on offense, but they don't do it on defense. He plays hard 24-7; whether he's taking the ball out of bounds or walking up the court, he's putting an elbow in your chest." Source
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">Indy Star Granger's work ethic has never been questioned, but it's become more intense around Artest. The two would often play one-on-one for hours in the summer until the coaches told them they had to leave the gym. "He plays hard all of the time," Granger said about Artest. "You see some guys do it on offense, but they don't do it on defense. He plays hard 24-7; whether he's taking the ball out of bounds or walking up the court, he's putting an elbow in your chest." </div> good to hear theyre getting along so wll maybe now since artest is a role model to danny he'll wise up and make some improved judgements.plus them workin against each other in practice can only improve danny.his defence will automatically improve!
Getting to practice and play against Ron Artest every day will definately improve your offense because their's no perimeter defender better than him that you'll play in the league. Bowen definately isn't, Tayshaun is nice, but not, and Kirilenko maybe the only guy, depending on matchups, he or Artest could be more effective.
