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F Tyler Hansbrough could make 2009-2010 NBA debut for Indiana Pacers Friday vs. Washington Wizards
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Tyler Hansbrough has yet to play a regular-season game for the Indiana Pacers.
That could change Friday.
Hansbrough, the No. 13 overall selection in the 2009 NBA Draft for the Pacers (1-3), is expected to play on a limited basis when Indiana players host to Washington (2-3) Friday night at Conseco Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis.
"If he comes in (Friday) morning and has reacted well to what he did today, he'll get some minutes," Jim O'Brien told Pacers.com after Thursday practice.
Hansbrough missed not only the first four regular-season games, but the preseason and training camp with a stress reaction in his shin that dates to last season, when he was leading North Carolina to college basketball's national championship.
Hansbrough told Pacers.com he expected to be a game-time decision, and said he didn't know what his debut would bring.
"I would like to turn it all loose but when you're a young guy like me, a rookie coming in, you just want to get out there and help out the team and not try to do anything spectacular," he told the Web site. "I just want to help our team, play our game and stay in the flow of things."
O'Brien has said Hansbrough will be limited to 15 or fewer minutes.
"I legitimately have no expectations," O'Brien said. "I expect him to play hard. I guess my expectation is that he knows the plays and he knows the defensive schemes and plays hard. That's a good combination to have."
Said Hansbrough, “I think I'm catching up quick. I put a lot of time in with assistant coaches trying to learn the plays and Coach O'Brien is teaching me little things. I don't think I'm far behind, there's just some little things they're catching me up on, things like that. It's true for anyone that's just stepped into this program. Not everyone just comes in here right away and has a feel. It takes awhile."
Also:
*Aside from the return of Hansbrough focus will be on Pacers C Roy Hibbert on Friday. He has double-doubles in each of the last two games, and provided a needed inside presence in Wednesday's victory over the Knicks with several Pacers forwards out with injuries.
* Another focus will be G T.J. Ford. Maligned by fans after three games, he scored eight points during a crucial stretch to help the Pacers pull away in the fourth quarter of the victory over Knicks. Can Ford turn into the assist-delivering point guard the Pacers' offense needs? Stay tuned.
* The late Melvin Simon will be honored Friday in a pre-game ceremony. The team will raise a banner in tribute to the franchise's co-owner who died September 16. Also, fans will receive a souvenir poster and a special ticket commemorating the 10th anniversary in Conseco Fieldhouse. There also will be a pre-game autograph session featuring members of the Pacers' 2000 NBA Finals team and the Indiana Fever's 2009 WNBA Finals team.
* Pacers F Troy Murphy is not expected to play Friday because of a bruised lower back sustained against Denver Tuesday. Pacers F Jeff Foster (high-ankle sprain) is expected to miss at least 10 more days, according to Pacers.com, and G Travis Diener (toe) and F Mike Dunleavy (knee) also are out.
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