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Ex-Tar Heel Hansbrough struggling in NBABasketball Betting Lines02/18/2010 - INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -The annual All-Star game between NBA rookies and sophomores last week was missing perhaps the best-known rookie of all - former North Carolina star Tyler Hansbrough. After the Indiana Pacers selected the former AP college player of the year with their first pick last year, critics questioned whether Hansbrough was big enough or athletic enough to succeed. No one questioned his durability, but that has been his biggest stumbling block as a pro. He missed training camp, the preseason and the first four regular-season games with a right shin injury. He returned and quickly became a fan favorite with his relentless play before his health became an issue again. He hasn't played since Jan. 16 because of an inner ear infection that causes dizziness and makes him sensitive to light. ``It's just giving me headaches and things like that,'' Hansbrough told The Associated Press. ``Whenever I get healthy, I'll play. I've been unfortunate to have some injuries. I'm just trying to fight through this and get healthy and go from there.'' Hansbrough has played in 29 games and averaged 8.5 points and 4.8 rebounds. He scored a career-high 21 points on Dec. 11 against New Jersey, and got his first career start on Jan. 13 against Phoenix. ``I was feeling like I was coming along as a player, fitting into my role on this team,'' he said. ``This is something new to me. I've never been injured like this.'' He has played just two games since that start against Phoenix. Pacers coach Jim O'Brien said last week that he's not sure when Hansbrough will return. ``Right now, he's on the shelf,'' O'Brien said. ``He's not working out at all. If he's able to come back and start working out, that's going to be important because of the fact that he's been told he's not allowed to really move around even one on none. That's a real setback from a conditioning standpoint.'' Hansbrough is considered one of the core pieces of team president Larry Bird's rebuilding project. Troy Murphy, who occupies the power forward spot Hansbrough eventually is expected to fill, said the rookie has potential. ``He plays hard,'' Murphy said. ``He's a rugged-type guy, he's a good teammate. He's knows he has things to learn, and he does a good job of seeing the coach and trying to pick those things up.'' Hansbrough sometimes has difficulty getting his shot off, has gotten into foul trouble regularly and at times has struggled to fit into the team's flow. He said the physical ability of the competition is his biggest challenge. ``Right now, it's just dealing with the size of the NBA,'' he said. ``Guys are bigger, and they're a lot quicker. Defensively, it's a lot more challenging.'' Murphy said Hansbrough will be fine. ``It'll come,'' he said. ``It's the same as with any rookie. No one's ready, no matter whether you come from college or even Europe - nobody's ready for this 82-game grind. As he gets a training camp under his belt next year, he'll be that much better.'' Bird expects Hansbrough's work ethic to carry him through. ``I think over time, he'll prove he's deserving of where he's at,'' Bird said. Hansbrough was given a reminder of better days last week, when he became the eighth North Carolina Tar Heel to have his number retired. The four-time all-Atlantic Coast Conference selection finished his career with a league-record 2,872 points and a school-record 1,219 rebounds to go with the NCAA record of 982 made free throws. Those North Carolina days were a stark contrast to a rookie season during which he has spent most of his time as a reserve. He has averaged 18 minutes per game, but said that doesn't matter. ``It's not going to change my mentality about how I play,'' he said. ``I'm just going to go out there and play hard and try and help our team win.'' Wins have been hard to come by. The Pacers fell to 18-35 with a loss to San Antonio Wednesday night, quite a switch for a player who was coming off a national championship and with two high school titles from his days in Poplar Bluff, Mo. ``It is kind of new, but every season has their ups and downs, it's how you bounce back and handle it,'' Hansbrough said.Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.
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Brandon Roy Favorite to Win 2007 NBA Rookie of the Year Portland TrailBlazer’s guard, Brandon Roy, is MySportsbook.com’s overwhelming favorite to win the NBA Rookie of the Year odds. Despite missing 20 games due to an injury earlier this season, Roy has definitely put up the best numbers of his 1st year peers. In 32 games, Roy is averaging 15.3 PPG, 4.2 boards and 3.5 assists in over 33 minutes of play per game. While most rookies breakdown as the season progresses (see Morrison), Roy is only getting stronger as his playing time and scoring average has increased each month. Be sure to log on to MySportsbook.com to bet on the NBA. With the regular season about to hit the homestretch, it is important to point out that MySportsbook.com has the highest credit card acceptance rate in the industry. To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.
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