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Sunday, February 15, 2009
Everybody wants a piece of the ex-Lobo, now NBA, star
By Mark Smith
Journal Staff Writer
Ring, ring.
"This is Mark."
"Hey Mark, it's Danny. Sorry it's taken me a while to get back to you, it's been just crazy."
"I can imagine. Thanks for getting back to me, brother. The reason I called was to see if you got any extra tickets for Sunday. I'm sure nobody's bothered asking you that this week."
"(Laugh) Oh no, not a soul. Oh my gosh, so many people want tickets. They want this, want that. Even all my family can't get in. It's just crazy."
Welcome to the land of superstardom, Danny Granger.
The former University of New Mexico star turned Indiana Pacers star is now an NBA All-Star.
Which equals superstar.
Granger, who has been as high as fourth in the NBA in scoring in recent days and is now sixth at 25.4 points a game, is becoming a household name in the hoops world. Tonight he becomes the first ex-Lobo to ever play in the NBA All-Star Game.
"It's been a whirlwind," Granger says of the past two weeks, since being named to the Eastern Conference squad. "A lot of questions and interviews. The All-Star game is such a big deal, such a big weekend. It's been a lot of fun, but I never realized it would be this hectic."
Even after battling through the Lobo fishbowl and that nasty Albuquerque media, Danny?
"That wasn't quite the same," Granger says after another laugh.
The 6-foot-8 forward was in the spotlight locally for two years after his controversial transfer from Bradley for the 2003-04 and 2004-05 seasons. During the latter, the Metairie, La., native led the Lobos to the Mountain West Conference tournament title and into the NCAA Tournament.
It's still the Lobos' only such appearance since 1999.
The Lobos were ousted in the first round by Villanova and Granger, a senior, was projected as a late first-round or early second-round NBA Draft pick.
However, he caught fire during individual workouts and was projected as a possible lottery pick. He eventually went to Indiana as the 17th overall selection, four spots shy of the lottery.
While Granger made both the NBA All-Star rookie and sophomore (second-year players) games, few could have seen this type of season coming for the fourth-year player.
"He is the focal point for the opposition in every game," says Granger's agent, Aaron Mintz. "What's amazing is how Danny has handled that type of pressure and that type of physical pounding game in and game out. But he just keeps on performing at an incredibly high level."
While reaching the league's highest echelon.
OK, Granger hasn't yet matched the Kobes, Shaqs and LeBrons of the world in name recognition. But he is garnering as much respect.
Don't believe it? Check out the final second of Indiana's 96-95 upset of LeBron James and Cleveland last week:
With the Pacers up two and just 0.8 of a second remaining, the Cavs lobbed an inbounds pass for James under the basket and Granger was whistled for a what appeared to be a nonexistent foul.
Indiana coach Jim O'Brien and the Pacers bench went nuts. It was the type of foul awarded only to an NBA superstar, and James cashed in by making both free throws to tie the game.
The Pacers then ran the same play from halfcourt with 0.4 left, trying to find Granger down low. This time there was another controversial whistle — but it was James being called for fouling Granger. The former Lobo made the first free throw with 0.1 remaining, missed the second intentionally and left Cleveland coach Mike Brown calling the foul "the worst call I have ever been a part of."
Waaah.
"That was fun," Granger said, while at an appearance in Phoenix on Thursday night, of the national publicity surrounding that wild finish. "It was a great game. There were two controversial calls at the end. Luckily we came out on top. I'm just glad it turned out the way it did."
The social appearances have been nonstop for Granger the past two weeks. They have really been out of control since his arrival in Phoenix, site of the All-Star weekend, on Thursday.
"He's had absolutely no time for himself," Mintz says. "Between practices, the different competitions (Granger was scheduled for Saturday night's 3-point shooting contest) and all the appearances — just one after another — he's constantly busy."
And that doesn't include dealing with 30-to-40 family members who have been clamoring for tickets and a piece of the star's time.
"Oh man, I don't know how many I can get in," he says, while a voice in the background introduces himself and tells Granger that it's time to get to his next appearance. "I'm hoping for about 20, but I really don't know. Maybe 20 — but let's just say, that's still to be determined. I'm trying to accommodate as many as I can.
"Mark, hold on. (More background conversation about the appearance.) Mark, can I call you back? They've got a function I have to go to.
"This is really crazy. But I'm just trying to soak it all up and enjoy the moment. It's really something."
It's called life as a superstar.
Cook-ing from Downtown
Toronto's Jason Kapono was foiled in his bid for a three-peat in the 3-point Shootout on Saturday night in Phoenix by Daequan Cook of Miami.
Cook beat Rashard Lewis of Orlando in overtime during the final round.
Also trying to unseat Kapono were Mike Bibby of Atlanta, former Lobo Danny Granger of Indiana and Roger Mason of San Antonio.
Granger had 13 points in the first round and didn't advance further in his first appearance in the event.
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