Danny Granger: “If I was LeBron, I’d go to New York”
The Pacers are headed to the lottery, but nobody can accuse you of tanking it. You have had some exceptional games in recent weeks, including a 32-point performance against Denver and a 30-point outing against Phoenix.
Danny Granger: You got to finish the season out. You have to play hard until the last game. You want to finish your season strong.
What has motivated you to stay focused, especially when your team isn’t in the playoff hunt?
DG: Just the future. You always want to improve your game. Even if you’re losing and your team is out of the playoffs, you always want to improve your game and improve in different aspects as a team. That’s our main focus right now, improving on our overall team performance.
Before the season, the Pacers were considered a viable Eastern Conference playoff contender. What went wrong?
DG: We lost a few guys to injuries, and we never really developed a consistent offense. Our offense has been below par for most of the season. And our defense hasn’t been great, either. Last year, as funny as this may sound, our defense wasn’t great but our offense really kept us in a lot of games. This year we haven’t played well on offense or on defense and that’s two really bad things.
How frustrating has this season been for you?
DG: It’s been very frustrating. Extremely frustrating. Overall, we have a plan as an organization that we want to accomplish in the next two or three years. I think this year was a minor hiccup, but I think we’re looking good for the future. We got a young team. We’ll have a chance to do a lot of good things in a couple of years.
The Pacers will to have a very high pick in the NBA draft. If you were the general manager of the Pacers, who would you select?
DG: Honestly, you’d want the No. 1 pick and, if we had the No. pick, I’d take (Kentucky point guard) John Wall. I think he’s the best player in the draft. There’s some other good players in this draft: Evan Turner (a guard from Ohio State), the big kid from Kentucky, DeMarcus Cousins … But I would still take John Wall.
Do you think there is a specific positional need for this team?
DG: We can improve in a lot of different positions. As far as the draft goes, you never look for a draft pick to come in and make an immediate impact. But with a high draft pick, I think you do. And, if you ever have the opportunity to get the No. 1 pick, you got to take the best player in the draft, regardless of his position.
Looking into your crystal ball, which teams are going to be in the Finals?
DG: I see the Lakers and Cleveland.
Any particular reason?
DG: LeBron James and Kobe Bryant. That’s my two reasons.
Who is your sleeper pick for the Finals?
DG: Denver. Across the board, they are probably one of the most talented teams. They got four guys who could be an All-Star in any given year. Whether they get it all together, I don’t know. But they’re talented.
And who would be your MVP selection?
DG: I’d have to go with LeBron. Without him, they (the Cavs) probably wouldn’t win that many games. But with him, they are pretty much unstoppable. I think he’s one of the most unstoppable forces in the NBA.
Speaking of LeBron, do you think he’ll stay in Cleveland or bolt to New York?
DG: If I was LeBron, I’d go to New York.
Why the Big Apple?
DG: New York is the media mecca as far as endorsements and being able to expand your personnel net worth. The exposure you can get there isn’t only nationally but globally. New York does all that for you.
You aren’t likely to be going anywhere soon, having signed a five-year contract extension with the Pacers in 2008. But do you plan on going back to college and finishing your degree in civil engineering?
DG: I do. I talk about going back to college every now and then. I would like to do it. I definitely want to pick it up again after I’m done playing basketball. It’s just one of those fields where, if you haven’t done it for 15 years, you probably got to go to school all over again for it.
Action Said,
March 15, 2010 @ 8:25 am
keyword “if”…apparently Granger NEED New York to be recognized globally while New York need LeBron BADLY who is already well known globally
Elder213 Said,
March 15, 2010 @ 8:38 am
Hey Danny,
I have been a Pacers fan for many years. My shinning moment had to be driving to Indiana from NY and watching Reggie torch the Celtics in his Final home playoff game before retiring. Hang in there man. A.J. is doing well, Rush is starting to live up to his potential, and Roy is developing great skills for a big man. My question is, do you think the creativity of Marquis and the toughness of Jack have been missed this year? Dantay has been really good at times, but I can’t help but notice these losses as a fan. Throw in Foster’s absence and diminished minutes for Ford and I think it has been a challenging season in many ways. I am optimistic about next year, man. I predict you will be an allstar again and the Pacers will be fighting for the 5th or 6th seed. What are your feelings?
kel009 Said,
March 15, 2010 @ 8:40 am
Who cares!!! My boyfriend thinks the same with me. He- is eight years older than me, lol. We met online at an age gap dating site- A_ge_m_in_gle @ c.o.m a nice and free place for Younger- Women and Older Men, or Older Women and Younger Men, to- interact with each other. Maybe you wanna check out or- tell your friends.
Chris B. Said,
March 15, 2010 @ 10:11 am
It was nice to hear Granger’s take on playing for a team that is not going to make the playoffs. He shows a degree of professionalism that I think is not appreciated by many.
I would love to see Lebron in NY, but I just don’t know why he would ever go there considering the situation. You have an owner in James Dolan who has struggled with drug and alcohol problems over the years, and an organization that has not been relevant for 10 years. Cleveland on the other hand in in Lebron’s home state, made it to the Finals in 2007 and had been in the hunt in the East for several years. Combine that with a coach who runs a system that was never able to get over the hump even with three All Stars in Phoenix, and I just don’t see why he would go there.
But there may be a perfect storm brewing in NJ. They have a new billionaire owner, a load of salary cap space, young talent in Lopez and Harris, a high draft pick this year and in one year will have a new stadium in Brooklyn. Imagine if they do get Wall. Wall, Lopez, Harris, and Lebron is a pretty good lineup.
But if I were a gambling man, my money is on Lebron staying in Cleveland.
NYKFan55 Said,
March 15, 2010 @ 11:02 am
Let me clear something up for people outside New York. While getting Lebron would be amazing and for sure set New York up to win Championships, and also would help bring in more FA to the Knicks, New York doesn’t NEED lebron. New York was here before him and way after his career is over. The Garden is called “The Mecca of Basketball” not the place people hope lebron will play. Plus we have the Yankees and although they had a bad season the Giants aren’t slackers either.
TheKnicksBlog.com – Bosh Unhappy; Danny Granger has an Opinion Said,
March 15, 2010 @ 11:17 am
[...] Danny Granger recently told Hoopshype’s Gery Woelfel what he would do if he were Lebron James. “…Speaking of LeBron, do you think he’ll [...]
Links To The Present: March 15, 2010 « Cavs: The Blog Said,
March 15, 2010 @ 11:50 am
[...] Granger would bolt a championship contender to play for NY. His chucking abilities would fit in perfectly [...]
Una de noticias variadas « El blog del Pistolero Said,
March 15, 2010 @ 2:04 pm
[...] Granger y sus consejos: En una entrevista publicada en los blogs de Hoopshype, el Batman de los Pacers no sólo expresa abiertamente la frustración que ha supuesto para él [...]
ISRW Said,
March 15, 2010 @ 2:10 pm
Let me clear something up for people *in* New York. Respecting the history of a building like MSG doesn’t mean fans of any other franchise would like to see LBJ bolt his home town to “build his personnel (sic) worth.” The idea isn’t exciting to us; it’s depressing and soulless.
It’s bad for the league that a team like the Knicks has resorted to spending multiple seasons just digging out from salary cap purgatory. As a fan, what you want to see is your team building itself over time, so that you know who you’re rooting for. Enduring a handful of fallow years to steal the best players in the game in free agency… yelch. This sort of thing is a canary in a coal mine for the NBA. Lesser-market teams can’t become a low-pay farm system for the megalopolises on the coasts. That’ll erode the sport.
Matt G. Said,
March 15, 2010 @ 2:51 pm
Danny Granger, I got news for you: YOU ARE NOT LEBRON, SO KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT!
Lebron Said,
March 15, 2010 @ 4:04 pm
I guess you working stiffs will never figure it out. I been carrying Shaq a$$ all season, and he wants to come back. Ill is over the hill, nobody else is worth me spending 7 more years in Cleveland trying to convince myself, I don’t need a 10 story bill board in Times Square in my honor, that the Cleveland Harbor is compatible to Wall $treet, Madi$on Avenue, plus the rest of my life thinking……I could have made the Yankee$ hat mo famous than the Yankee$ can, Fuq it….if Jeezy sign me, I’m bringing Duane Wade!!!!
erk2044 Said,
March 15, 2010 @ 4:15 pm
danny wants lebron to go to new york to get him out of the central division
jerry25 Said,
March 15, 2010 @ 4:35 pm
LeBron is staying in Cleveland for another year for sure.
He is already the Biggest International Star in the World.
He doesn’t need New York. He is his own brand.
This is a ridiculous eye-catching media hyping statement.
If LeBron were to go to New York, it would be to play for the Nets, in 2011, the year before he would become the King of Brooklyn.
The Nets will have a much better team than the Knicks after next year.
The Knicks will be no better than this year. David Lee will be joining the Nets along with Evan Turner. The Knicks don’t even have draft picks.
jerry25 Said,
March 15, 2010 @ 6:45 pm
Good point erk2044.
Tommy Said,
March 15, 2010 @ 9:34 pm
The Knicks get non-stop praise in the media, lopsidded trade rumors in their favor and lots of optimistic reviews every year. Yet they remain the worst franchise in sports for the past ten years - low class, no plan, and no assets. Lebron will pass, they will overpay for garbage and remain irrelevant another decade.
IND ダニー・グレンジャー、2010年ドラフトでジョン・ウォールの獲得を希望 | NBA Data Center Said,
March 15, 2010 @ 10:45 pm
[...] Reported by Hoopshype [...]
Nick Said,
March 15, 2010 @ 11:55 pm
I think all of this “big market” talk is funny. LeBron James IS A MARKET!!! He could play anywhere and still be the biggest star in basketball. He doesn’t need NY, but NY may need him.
Gerry O Said,
March 16, 2010 @ 1:39 am
If I were Lebron I will join NY Knicks next season. All the challenges and the monies are there. Why remain in a city and joins a team where degree of difficulty is insignificant.
jonny Said,
March 16, 2010 @ 2:24 am
matt g., you are not even Danny Granger so f..k off
Daniel Said,
March 16, 2010 @ 6:49 am
“jerry25″ you said it right!
What is all this nonsense talk about lebrn need to go to NY to become a big sports icon worldwide? He is allready considered one of the greatest sports atheltes in the world when it comes to endorsements and so on. Just because he lives and plays in Cleveland doesn’t meen that he is unknown to the rest of the world. That is probably the lamest reason for him to leave ever!
DS Said,
March 16, 2010 @ 9:03 am
LOL LeBron doesn’t need the Knicks at all. Had they drafted Brandon Jennings then maybe LeBron would think about bolting but the Knicks have been bad for so long and LeBron is the 3rd highest paid athlete as far as endorsements in the US. Only Tiger Woods and another golfer surpass him. I hope NY fans like Amare Stoudemire though.
Leo Said,
March 16, 2010 @ 10:36 am
DS made the best statement that sums of the Knicks as a whole. They could have drafted Brandon Jennings and picked a big instead who isn’t even playing much at all. The Knicks have had a decade of bad moves even if they have netted some good players. Go look at where all the players are now and you see what I mean(Jamal Crawford, Zach Randolph). Jennings woud have been perfect in the system they play. Now he’s playing pretty good and the Bucks look like they may make the playoffs without their highest paid player(Micheal Redd).
Lebron can make more money by staying with Cleveland. New York can’t pay more the Cleveland due to the rules of salary structure in the NBA. He won’t be able to make up the difference in New York with endorsments. Plus even if they sign Lebron who will he play with. They have the cap to sign to mega players but who would they sign. If they use all the cap space on two players then who plays with Lebron. Unless New York use the model that has made the Lakers as good as they are then they don’t have any hope even with Lebron. The Lakers win without Kobe and they are in a better conference.
Lebron should stay in Cleveland as the team won’t change much next year plus they will have cap space with Shaq contract going off the books(20 million) to get more help.
Elder213 Said,
March 16, 2010 @ 11:00 am
Lebron will go to the knicks cause he is a sideline dancing, showboating hotdog that loves the spotlight, limelight and fanfare. He will go from being the brightest star in b-ball to being the brightest star in entertainment. He loves it….you will see. His stock will rise and maybe he does not need new york but no one needs an Ipod either. This country has and always will be about excessive desire and lust for fame. Lebron wants it. He is self-indulgent, watch his interviews and the way he carries himself. Whoever doesn’t believe me… watch his jersey sales worldwide surpass Kobe’s. This isn’t about the bread….it’s about the legacy. O, and I’m not a knicks fan but Lebron’s a D’Antoni fan and Lee, Galinari and company aren’t that bad.
bigdog Said,
March 16, 2010 @ 2:17 pm
Elder213, then why did he decide to stay at SVSM in high school instead of going to Oak Hill when it was offered? They were the biggest team in HS, the most bright lights, etc. but he decided to stay home. Why did he re-sign an extension after his first contract with Cleveland instead of leaving? Why has he always decided to stay home, but only all of a sudden, decide to leave? I know why….because he’s not leaving.
Fake Danny Granger Said,
March 16, 2010 @ 3:52 pm
If I were Danny Granger, I’d go to Golden State.
Glenn Robinson Said,
March 16, 2010 @ 5:26 pm
Danny Granger couldn’t shine my shoes
Coach J Said,
March 16, 2010 @ 8:15 pm
Lebron cannot go to the Knicks without help. In Cleveland he has a team. New York would be like taking one step forward for endorsements, and two step backwards to ever winning basketball games.
Mantis Said,
March 17, 2010 @ 10:22 am
Lebron would be known globaly if he went to NY? He is already a global star and he is not going to evolve from king into emperor if he went there. So i think he is staying
Elder213 Said,
March 17, 2010 @ 10:46 am
I don’t know, bigdog. Why did I decide to leave home at 28 years old. Maybe I grew up and wanted to spread my wings. He is the show. Where he goes, the show goes. Why does he need the cavs? He can play with a motley crew of misfits anywhere and N.Y. is the perfect place to shine, where it will matter. He extended with cavs cause it was the right thing to do at the time. Leaving at the end of this year will be the same kind of decision. kobe did it L.A.. Mike did it in Chicago. What makes you think Lebron won’t do it in the Mecca? It makes sense. He didn’t skip college to go to the D League, he did it to play in the best with the best. He will go to n.y. and the cavs will end up with a guy that is solid but not spectacular like joe johnson.
Rocket_Fan Said,
March 17, 2010 @ 2:13 pm
I think Lebron will stay in Cleveland , mostly because it’s his home state. However, if he followed the money to N.Y. he would definitely make them a winner in 2 seasons. Lee a 2nd tier PF (much better than anyone ,besides James, on the cavs) Gallinari (spell check) is a young talented prospect, who can shoot and has great size, and they have ownership who will spend money (whether they should or not). Hell, if Lebron signed with the Washington Generals , he coudl take them into the playoffs immediately (they’d lose in the first round, but take the celts to 7).
Bhavik Patel Said,
March 17, 2010 @ 6:33 pm
To: Lebron
My point of advice to you. Come to the Los Angeles Lakers. Force a trade, make this happen. This is the only team you want to play for. Why would you even consider staying with the Cavaliers or going to the Knicks. Lets face the facts. There is no other reason why you want to play for the Cavaliers besides the fact that that you crew up in Ohio. The Lakers are the only team you want to play for. The Lakers have a tradition of winning, huge media market, greatest coach of all time and best of all you get to play with the best basketball player in the world in Kobe Bryant. Dan Gilbert is a decent owner, but lets face it the Los Angeles Lakers have great owners. Jerry Buss has proved to us he is willing to spend the dough and has always put a competitive team on the floor. Magic Johnson owns minority share in the team. Magic Johnson would provide you the coaching and mentoring you need to become the next global basketball icon. He has probably the best business expertise than any other NBA basketball player that has played the game. There are so many pros in playing in Los Angeles and no cons. I think this is a no brainer. The Lakers want you and I know you want to go the Lakers. Lets make this deal happen.
bigdog Said,
March 17, 2010 @ 10:30 pm
Elder, now you just sound like a bitter fan of another team. If you say he wants to play with the best, why would he leave Cleveland for NY then? Mo Williams, Delonte West, Antawn Jamison, Shaq, Hickson, Varejao, etc. for David Lee,……? LBJ knows his legacy depends on titles and NY won’t bring him one. NY makes no bigger of a star than he is already, he can’t get any bigger. He needs rings, Cleveland can give him that, NY can not.
Bhavik Patel Said,
March 18, 2010 @ 7:11 am
big dog. He also wants to built a global brand and be a marketing force. He will never obtain that. He is trying to be what tiger woods was before the scandal. If you go all over the world they dont know who lebron james is. If you go to villages in india they know who michael jordan is. Michael jordan was a global icon, lebron is not even close yet.
Elder213 Said,
March 18, 2010 @ 10:53 am
that’s a soft lineup, bigdog. If he doesn’t do it this year, then when? You act like you just named a bunch of hall of famers. hehe. Well, Shaq is on his way but certainly not for the way he has played this year. I like those guys but I wouldn’t say they are exactly the type of players Lebron is in awe of (or anyone would fear). Not the guys they surrounded paul pierce or kobe with, certainly. If you are a Cleveland fan than more power to you. Everyone can get bigger, even Bron. The fact you say he cannot benefit from a move is silly. Lebron would get so many endorsements and billboards in NYC alone it could double his paycheck. Ask everyone you know what they know about Lebron James and most will say he is a Bball player. When he comes to NY, he will be Michael Jackson, Michael Jordan, Mike Tyson and everyone will know everything about him and will care. Immortality. Forget Bball. I live in NY. With the exception of L.A. and the Hollywood scene, N.Y. will go crazy and the world will follow like no place else. He will be New York and that matters more than you know. By the way, Scalabrine has more titles than Barkley….Guess his legacy is bigger and I should consider him significant.
Rocket_Fan Said,
March 18, 2010 @ 12:36 pm
Elder is right on all counts.
Mo Williams is a good scorer, but is made to look very good by james, delonte is a celtic castoff who can’t even look good with James. Varejao is a husstle guy, which are a dime a dozen. Jamison is a very good player who has never come close to winning anything since entering the pros, and could be one of those guys that just looks great on bad teams (remember when Mike James scored 20 ppg in Toronto), and in all honesty I’d rather David Lee and all his upside over him. Hickson is definitely a nice prospect, but he still has to develop, and it is possible that if you took him away from James he is just another athletic young kid in a league full of them. This brings us to Shaq, an aging prima donna who talks more than he plays. Turns out Shaq at 50% is still a solid player, however he is so old and banged up we see him for 3 games a month.
Also , don’t players make more on endorsements depending on whether they are in a top tier market? L.A. , N.Y. and Chicago for example. With all respect to the rock and roll hall of fame, I don”t think Cleveland is even in the second tier, so he could definitely make more cash in NY.
Hott Dogg Said,
March 18, 2010 @ 8:43 pm
People are fooling themselves if they think Lebron won’t at least give New York a look if that team doesn’t win this year they are done….name anybody on that Cleveland team that New York can’t surround him with that is either the same or better…even out of shape ass Eddy Curry would benefit from lebrons presence not to mention they cna also sign two big free agents
Cleveland New York
Mo Williams Duhon
Anthony Parker T-Mac
Lebron Lebron
Jamison David Lee
Shaq Eddy Curry
Get a Grip Said,
March 19, 2010 @ 10:59 am
Hott Dogg, you must be into Ironic art. You just made a list stating that New York has player that are as good or better, then your comparison showed a better player at every position for Cleveland!
Duhon better than Mo Williams? Are you smoking as you type?
Anthony Parker as good or better than McGrady? McGrady is better with one leg…jeez!
Jamison not better than Lee? WTF? Jamison has way more skill and is actually a better rebounder. Jamison gets his boards while playing all over the floor. Lee is a no-defense basket hanger who finally added a set-shot to his non-existent offensive game this season! Jamisopn has to be actually guarded.
Curry better than Shaq? I’m not going to even explain this. Put on your point cap and sit in the corner.
Dag!
Eastbballfan Said,
March 19, 2010 @ 7:13 pm
Why did he only sign a 3 year extension after his rookie season? If Cleveland can offer him the most money, why wont he sign a max deal already. He is either waiting to see what teams with cap space are going to , or he is waiting to see what those teams offer him to drive the price up. I’m not saying he is going anywhere, but those are things to think about as well.
Bill McDonald Said,
March 20, 2010 @ 8:40 pm
I think Danny Granger needs to thanks Kevin Hauser and 310 Management for putting him on the map.Kevin Hauser and the team at 310 Management have made him a household name.
Gerry O Said,
March 23, 2010 @ 1:16 am
New York is New York…without basketball, without Knicks and without Lebron.
Dawn H. Said,
March 23, 2010 @ 9:17 am
Danny Granger wants LBJ out of the Central Division, but even that is not going to help the Pacers. LBJ is an international star no matter where he plays - Cleveland is his town!
Mr McFartsniffler Said,
March 25, 2010 @ 6:48 am
When was the last time the Knicks Franchise converted their massive market and huge bankroll into anything but dogsh#t? I’ll tell you when. In 1985 (the year after Lebron was born) Patrick Ewing was one of the surest , can’t miss No. 1 picks ever. The Knicks didn’t have to think very hard, they just had to suck worse than anybody in the NBA for a year. Then they added John Starks and Charles Oakley and that was their version of the three amigos- wow.There is a lot of stuff flying around about the advantages of The Knicks market and bankroll. WHAT IS THEIR TRACK RECORD WITH IT?
Check it out New Yorkers. Lebron will be a bigger “international superstar”, or whatever, winning championships in Cleveland than he will be NOT winning championships in New York!! In the NBA, you can’t just buy one championship after another like the Yankees do because there is a salary cap- so you have to have a LEVEL OF COMPETENCY. Not Isiah-Thomas-competency. Real competency. The kind of competency that currently can be found in places like Houston, San Antonio, Boston, and yes, Cleveland. Lebron would be nuts to go to New York. Even if he wants to play in NY, why wouldn’t he just play somewhere else for 3 years and watch to see if the Knicks can finally demonstrate they have a clue of some kind, by putting together an 8 seeded team with them huge advantages ESPN keeps talking about?