The Mike Dunleavy show

Ron Hoskins/NBAE/Getty Images pacers.com

I think it's only appropriate that my first real post be dedicated to one of my heros - Mike Dunleavy Jr.


I've been a fan of his since his Duke days, and it's  been pretty painful watching him struggle in the pros. The only thing that is probably more painful than that is being a Pacers fan (unless you like the Clippers or Knicks).


Dunleavy still shows signs of brilliance (when he plays the Knicks), but hasn't had a stand out game since recovering from a serious knee injury last year.


This season saw him have a sluggish start, shooting just over 30%. Good think Jim O'Brien had faith in him and allowed him to start last night against the Denver Nuggets.


He didn't have the fastest start, shooting 0-3 in his first three attempts. After halftime, he went off. So did the Pacers. Mike made 5 of 5 from behind the arc in a 24 point quarter. The rest of the team added 30 as they mustered a historic 54-point 3rd quarter. If that wasn't impressive enough, they made 20 of 20 shots in the quarter until Josh McRoberts missed a last second three-pointer.


The Pacers went on to win 144-116, with Dunleavy leading scoring at 31. Darren Collison had 29 of his own, while Tyler Hansbrough added 20.


Here's to hoping for more hot shooting in Indy, and for Dunleavy to finally tap into his potential and go from draft bust to late bloomer. 


Photo credit: Ron Hoskins