Danny Granger is the de facto best player on a balanced Indiana Pacers team that has been more successful than expected over the first month-plus of the season.

Frank Vogel has transformed the Pacers into a tough-minded defensive team that currently employs an average offense, which is a stark contrast to how Jim O’Brien operated over his three-plus seasons as coach.

In the midst of a three-game winning streak, Indiana is averaging 111.8 points per 100 possessions. The Pacers posted an effective field goal percentage of 53.5 in the three games, thanks to 19 made three-pointers. That represents a significant spike from downtown as they have made just 5.4 three-pointers per game on average. They rank seventh in the league in percentage (38%), but only six teams attempt fewer shots from behind the arc.

Not surprisingly, the Pacers have looked better offensively as Granger has begun to convert at a higher rate.

He is shooting just 38.9% on the season, but has been much better as of late. Granger is hitting 44.8% of his shots over his last 10 games and 47.7% over the last five. Granger is a career 43.9% shooter and the Pacers can live with him hitting around 45% of his attempts considering the nature of those attempts.

On a balanced team with seven players averaging more than 9.3 points per game, Granger went through an adjustment period over the first dozen or so games as Indiana’s offense shifted.

In addition to making room for the offense of David West and George Hill, Vogel has the Pacers playing slower than they did at the peak of Granger’s scoring exploits. After averaging 97.1 possessions per 48 minutes in 2009-10, the number dropped to 94.7 last season and sits at 91.7 this year. Indiana was sixth in pace last season, but are just above the NBA average currently.

His True Shooting percentage is still down significantly (.508 from .554 last year) in part because of his misses and declining free throw attempts. Granger has settled for more jump shots over the last two seasons, as his rate of free throws to field goals has dropped from 37% to 32%.

After attempting 7.1 threes per game in 2009-10, he is down to 5.1 this year as he has settled for a heavy dose of midrange jumpers. Around 76% of his shots have been classified as jumpers and often times he is forced to shoot late in the shot clock if Indiana’s offense breaks down. Nearly four-tenths of his shots have come with 10 seconds or less on the clock. 

Regardless of where and when he shoots, Vogel and the Pacers need Granger to convert efficiently. They were 6-2 through their first eight games, but the Pacers were poor offensively and Granger hit just 30.7% of his attempts.

Indiana is 6-2 over the last eight as well, but their offense has run smoother thanks to strong direction from their leader. The difference? Granger is hitting 46.5% of his shots over the stretch.

His shots aren’t just falling either, he’s attacking the basket more often and settling for fewer midrange jumpers, typically the toughest shot in the game today. Over the last two games, Granger is 22-for-24 from the foul line.