While his world swirls around him, Danny Granger has focused on finding something from this lost season.
One of the few bright spots of the team's recent slump has been Granger's performance. In his last nine games, he has averaged 25 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.0 steals. He's scored at least 30 points three times in his last six games, including in Wednesday night in Portland, when he was the team's only offensive threat in a 102-79 loss.
The numbers reflect an improvement in his all-around game. He isn't just floating around the 3-point line anymore. He's become much more active, much more aggressive, playing with an attack mentality.
"It might be more of a focus on having more of a complete game," Granger said. "I'm just trying to translate it into more wins so we can build some confidence.
"I've been attacking the rim a lot of late, not settling for too many outside shots."
Granger still leads the NBA in 3-point attempts per game (7.0) but has averaged 5.6 in the last nine and his efficiency has increased, making 42 percent.
"He's continuing to attack the basket; if he could have a little more luck with the layups it would really help his shooting percentage," said Coach Jim O'Brien. "But to be Danny, to be more of Danny than we've seen is a good start.
"He should shoot a very high percentage. The key is movement. The more he moves the more difficult it is to load up to him, the more difficult it is to be under his chin. So hopefully as we finish these last (21) games, we'll see more of the Danny that we anticipated this year."
Of the many things Granger has had to deal with this season, hitting a developmental plateau is just one. He was the first player in NBA history to increase his scoring average by at least five points in three consecutive seasons, earning his first All-Star berth and winning the Most Improved Player award last season, when he averaged 25.8 points.
This year, it's down to 22.8 – still a strong number but the first time in his career he has experienced a decline. Combine that with the team's year-long struggle, his battle with a foot injury and the personal issue that caused him to miss just one game but remains very much on his mind, and you've got a lot of reasons the face of the franchise hasn't been smiling.
“It’s been frustrating considering we were so close to making the playoffs the last year," he said. "This year, we just kind of took a step back."
Granger has not revealed what caused him to leave the team during its last road trip and miss the Feb. 22 game in Dallas. He returned two nights later in Chicago but clearly is still carrying the weight of the matter.
"It is a distraction but it's just one of those things you have to deal with," he said. "Time heals all. As time goes on it will be less of a distraction."
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