Thread: Could Granger Achieve O'Neal-Like Star Status?
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Old 02-07-2006, 03:47 PM   #1 (permalink)
absolutebest
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Question Could Granger Achieve O'Neal-Like Star Status?
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Q. Recently, Danny Granger has been playing pretty well. Will Granger be able to be as big a superstar as Jermaine O'Neal when he matures, contributing night-in and night-out to the team? (From Gerald in Singapore)

A. My initial reaction to that question was to think, "of course not," because O'Neal is a five-time NBA All-Star, a three-time All-NBA selection, a player near the top of the list whenever the discussion of the game's top big men arises, and the current face of the franchise. Granger is a rookie who will need time to fully exploit his talents, not to mention a completely different type of player.

And then I stepped back, thought through the question, and tried to put this into a different perspective. Granger has enormous talent. When many rookies are running into the wall during their first season, he's coming into his own, averaging 14.2 points and 10.4 rebounds in the last five games. He's playing two distinctly different positions, power forward and small forward, growing comfortable at both. And he's adding elements to his game through the course of the season, showing much more confidence in both his mid-range and 3-point shooting. Defensively, he has stopper skills but needs to build experience and the corresponding savvy.

So, from a talent standpoint, there really isn't anything he lacks, there's no glaring hole in his game that will have to be filled before he can advance to the next level. It's more a matter of refinement, enhancement and polish. From an intangible standpoint, he seems to have the drive to succeed that marks players destined for stardom. He understands both where he has come from and where he'd like to go. Though he is a very personable sort off the court, he plays with an edge, an intense focus that is necessary to achieve.

Upon reflection, then, it's only reasonable to leave the door open to the possibility Granger could become a star of comparable status. But the canyon between potential and fulfillment swallows many a career. Few walk the tightrope from one side to the other. Those that do understand the journey requires more than talent. It requires balance. Granger has just taken the first few steps but it appears he's on sound footing.
Even Conrad Brunner agrees that this could be the best "Gift" that Donnie has given us in a long time. Call a doctor... the kid is sick!
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