--F Danny Granger was named the NBA's most improved player this season after averaging 25.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.7 assists this season. "I think in my fourth year, I just had the experience of playing a lot of minutes," said Granger. "I could read defenses a lot better. I could get my shot a lot easier than what I had in the past. I think I just thought my way through the game a little more than I had previously."
--Coach Jim O'Brien might be heading into the final year of his contract as a "lame duck" coach because there hasn't been any talk of a contract extension. "When I coached, I went my last year without a deal," Pacers president Larry Bird said. "It really didn't matter. Some people it might affect different than others. But (O'Brien is) under contract and we expect him to fulfill his contract." It wouldn't be surprising if O'Brien is not given an extension, considering that the Pacers were burned last time they gave one to a coach. Former coach Rick Carlisle was given an extension before the 2006-07 season and then was fired at the end of that season, forcing the team to have to pay part of his salary for the following season.
--Coach Jim O'Brien isn't the only key person on the Pacers heading into the final year of his contract. Team president Larry Bird is in the same situation. Co-owner Herb Simon said last month that he could meet with Bird at anytime to discuss a new contract. Bird doesn't want to sign a new deal on the dotted line. "If I do stay on, it'll be a handshake deal with Herbie, and if things don't go right, he can just let me go," Bird said. "I'm not here to sign another long-term deal; I'm here to get this team right."
QUOTE TO NOTE: "A lot of teams think players won't play for a guy on the last year of his deal, but if that happens, we'll get rid of the player. It's about the team here." -- Team president Larry Bird on coach Jim O'Brien possibly being a "lame duck" coach next season.
