Pacers' George, Granger are similar

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06/26/2010 -

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -Ron Artest was one of the best players in the NBA when the Pacers drafted Danny Granger for him to mentor.

Artest saw something in Granger, prompting him to proclaim that the versatile forward would become a star. Granger made good on Artest's claims by making the 2009 All-Star team.

Now, it's Granger's turn to be the teacher.

The Pacers took Paul George with the 10th pick Thursday night, drawing immediate comparisons to Granger. The two worked out together before they knew George would become a Pacer, so they had a head start on building a relationship.

Pacers president Larry Bird sees similarities between Granger and George, but also sees a connection between Artest's mentoring role in 2005 and Granger's current task of helping George develop.

``No question,'' he said Friday. ``He's working out with Danny now. He's been working out with him for a period of time. It's the same thing.''

George hopes for similar results.

``If you've been under Ron, you kind of gain his hardworking ability,'' George said. ``He instilled that in Danny, and I can only hope and pray that Danny does the same for me.''

Granger is 6-foot-9, an inch taller than George. Both are good perimeter shooters and excellent free throw shooters. They come from mid-major schools out West - Granger from New Mexico, George from Fresno State.

His scouting report sounds nearly identical to Granger's from five years ago.

``He spaces the court, he's athletic, great upside, passes the basketball, can finish at the rim,'' Pacers coach Jim O'Brien said.

Bird said George could be an immediate contributor like Granger was.

``This young man has a great opportunity to get a lot of playing time,'' he said. ``It's on his shoulders.''

Indiana finished last season with a 32-50 record, their worst finish since 1988-89, and missed the playoffs for the fourth straight year. O'Brien is back after a third straight losing season and 104-142 record with the team. The Pacers also ranked 27th in the 30-team league with average attendance of 14,202.

The Pacers did not pick up a point guard in the draft, one of their needs, and instead took Cincinnati's Lance Stephenson with the 40th pick and traded up to get Louisiana Tech forward Magnum Rolle.

But they are happy about George.

Bird said George has the same confidence level and ``chip on his shoulder'' that Granger had when he was picked 17th in 2005.

``He (Granger) told me when he first walked in the door after we drafted him he was going to be an All-Star, and that he was a hard worker, and that he was going to continue to work hard,'' Bird said. ``That's what I see in this young man.''

Granger's growth has been unusual. He improved his scoring average by at least five points the first four years of his career. He averaged 25.8 points in 2008-09 and was selected the NBA's most improved player, then averaged 24.1 points last season.

George showed his work ethic with a dramatic improvement from the free-throw line last season. He shot 70 percent as a freshman, but 91 percent as a sophomore.

``I've always been a good free throw shooter,'' he said. ``My freshman year, I just wasn't as comfortable at the line as I was my sophomore year. I knew what I was capable of and I knew my numbers didn't project what type of shooter I was. In the offseason, I spent a lot of time at the free-throw line, doing standstill shooting to work on my form.''

George averaged 25 points and 12 rebounds as a high school senior in California before two strong years in college. It's been a long time since he's had to fight for playing time.

``It's competition,'' he said. ``No job is given, you have to compete for it. I think that will make all of us better. Whatever lineup we have, that person will deserve it. I'm ready for the challenge.''Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.

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Pro Football Odds : NFC SOUTH BETTING ODDS

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NFL betting action is back! At MySportsbook, all of the pro football odds are posted for the NFC North. Check out how we see the four teams in this cloudy division stacking up this year in the chase for the playoffs! Green Bay Packers (+125) - With QB Aaron Rodgers leading the offense and DC Dom Capers working his magic on defense, the Packers are a real force to be reckoned with.

Virtually nothing changed on this offense for Green Bay from last year to this year, save for the addition of rookie OT Brian Bulaga to the bunch. Expect more huge numbers from the Pack, and a relatively favorable schedule should get them over the hump and into the playoffs once again this season. My NFL Betting Predictions: 11-5, 1st place in NFC North Minnesota Vikings (+130) - There are still too many unknowns about the Vikes this year. There is a huge difference between QB Brett Favre and either Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels under center. Plus, is Favre comes back, is he really going to be able to keep his pick total under double digits again? Depth at running back looked like it might have been an issue with RB Chester Taylor fleeing in free agency, but drafting RB Toby Gerhart should pick up the difference. This defense is still suitable, but with a first place schedule, making the playoffs is going to be very tough regardless of whether #4 comes back or not.

There is a huge difference between QB Brett Favre and either Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels under center. Plus, is Favre comes back, is he really going to be able to keep his pick total under double digits again? Depth at running back looked like it might have been an issue with RB Chester Taylor fleeing in free agency, but drafting RB Toby Gerhart should pick up the difference. This defense is still suitable, but with a first place schedule, making the playoffs is going to be very tough regardless of whether #4 comes back or not. Play this weekly NFL Football Contestto see if you can win.

Chicago Bears (+350) - The Bears are probably a bit of an overhyped team once again this year.No, we don't think it is plausible for QB Jay Cutler to have as bad of a season as he did last year, and we do think the additions of RB Chester Taylor and DE Julius Peppers are going to help immensely, but there's still something in the water in the Windy City that we aren't so sure about. Maybe Chicago finds its way to .500... but then again, maybe it doesn't. If Favre comes back, Cutler might be the worst quarterback in this division this year.

Detroit Lions (+1500) - The Lions are probably once again going to be the whipping boys for the rest of the teams in the NFC North, but they aren't just going to roll over and die once again. There is some real talent amassing on this team offensively, as the combination of QB Matt Stafford, RB Jahvid Best, WR Calvin Johnson, and TE Brandon Pettigrew should put a bunch of points on the board if the offensive line can even remotely hold up. The questions really lie on defense, where it feels like DT Ndamukong Suh is going to be trying to stop opposing teams all by himself. This year should show some marked improvement in the Motor City.

The Patriots will make NFL betting fans a lot of money this season, get in early and enjoy the cash.

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