Pacers forward Troy Murphy worked hard to develop a midrange jump shot this offseason.

"One thing you'll see different is that I won't just shoot 3s when I'm on the perimeter," Murphy told the Indianapolis Star.

"I put a lot of time shooting in-between shots, so when guys run at me at the 3-point line, I don't charge the lane and get called for a foul. Hopefully the hard work will pay off this season like it did last season."

Murphy got back to his double-double ways last season, averaging 14.3 points and a career-high 11.8 rebounds per game. He recorded a team-record 48 double-doubles in 73 contests.

"He's always been a terrific rebounder," teammate Mike Dunleavy said. "He sort of went back to where he was in previous years and just seemed more focused and had it all together, and when he does that he's a pretty good player."

Pacers coach Jim O'Brien didn't just see a statistical improvement in Murphy's game last season, he saw some better defense as well.

"When you have his offensive skills and you defend at the level that he defended the last four months of the season, you're always going to be on the court," O'Brien said.

"And if you're on the court and you're talented offensively and on the glass, then there's a good chance you're going to average a double-double."