Can Psycho T play a role in the Pacers run to the NBA Finals?

Even if  the Chapel Hill legend isn’t filling up a box score, the 13 plus minutes a game Tyler Hansbrough is averaging in his semifinal match-up against the Miami Heat is plenty for any Heel Hoop-head to tune in for.

Enough evidence was provided for those who tuned in on TV, and in the Indiana crowd, when Psycho T entered Game 3 early in the second quarter sparking a small rally. Hansbrough would go on to flush one with two hands in that same time frame, while also tallying an assist to David West that resulted in a Miami timeout to calm the over 18,000 in attendance.

The Pacers would go on to outscore the Heat 51-32 in the second half and trounce em’ by that same deficit to end the game 94-75.

Hansbrough finished with 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 points playing the second most minutes off the bench for a Pacers team that goes eleven deep on most nights. Something that Miami cannot do. Indiana now finds themselves in control at a 2-1 series lead but far from a sure shot to move on, needing 2 more big wins to clinch.

In order for that to happen I see Indiana continuing to do what they have been doing.

If it ain’t broke don’t fix it! The loss of Chris Bosh for Miami has exposed a low-post defense that does not exist and Roy Hibbert of the Pacers is reminding everyone why he was an All-Star. Baring injury to any Pacers big man and Indiana may be on their way to an upset.

Now with that being said, fast forward to the Eastern Conference Final match-up that would now include Boston and Indiana. Lets say the Pacers just ended a tough six or seven game series that took everything. This would also mean that Hibbert has continued to dominate and lets throw in Indiana’s bench too, the combination was too much for Lebron James and Dwayne Wade to overcome.

Then opposite Indy, the resurgence of Kevin Garnett this 2012 NBA Playoffs has many people wondering where has this guy been. Boston looks to be in a series now with the Sixers, but I give Doc Rivers and company the series in 6.

So the stage would then be set. KG and Hibbert battle the entire series. Something that looks like nothing but foul trouble to me.

Do you look at the depth of Indiana to win against the age of Boston? That old age is experience in my book and you can’t bet against that. One thing I can guarantee though is Tyler Hansbrough was born and bred for a series like this. His intensity and hustle alone still gets him on the court for head coach Frank Vogel in the Playoffs. The second unit, with Hansbrough included, was a major contributor all season for Indiana and led to them clinching the third seed in the East with a 42-24 record.

And if the Pacers head into the Conference Finals matched up against a team with the intensity of KG and Paul Pierce, a guy with a nickname like Psycho T seems to be the perfect counter. I’m not saying Hansbrough has to come out and do something he hasn’t all season, but, what I do believe he can do is continue to come off the bench and be that occasional spark needed to fuel a rally. Or get the crowd on their feet at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis with a dunk. And now, for the first time in his young career he will tasked with a big duty when called from the bench to come in and contribute against a few Hall of Famers playing for a franchise with 17 Titles.

I’m sure Tyler Hansbrough will be up for the task.