Why Tyler Hansbrough's performance in the past two games shouldn't be a surprise

If one viewed the scoring statistics for Tyler Hansbrough on Mar.12 on ESPN's website, one might conclude he was not having the best of years. His average number of points were down by almost three from last year (9.3 ppg in 2012 and 6.4 ppg in 2013).

However, the statistics on ESPN's website showed his minutes per game were down six minutes from last year (21.8 mpg in 2013 and 15.8 mpg in 2013). Dividing his average points per game by his average points per minute for the 2013 and 2012 seasons, his 0.41 average points per minute had changed little from last year's 0.43 figure.

Hansbrough averaged 16 points and 25 minutes of play in the Mar. 18 game against the Cavaliers (18 pts./23 min) and the Mar. 19 game versus the Magic (14 pts./27 min.) which made his average points per minute 0.64 for the two games.

This raises the question of whether or not Hansbrough's minutes should be increased when David West returns to the starting lineup. One way of getting more minutes for Hansbrough when West returns and not lost what West brings to the Pacers on the floor is to reduce some of Ian Mahinmi's minutes and have Hansbrough substitute for both West and Roy Hibbert.

Hansbrough went in for Hibbert last year before Mahinmi joined the team this year. There only is a 2-inch difference between Mahinmi at 6'11" and Hansbrough at 6'9". Most of Hansbrough's game statistics are better than Mahinmi's even though Mahinmi averages more minutes per game (16.7 to 16.1). The only game statistical categories where Mahinmi beats Hansbrough are blocks (0.88 to 0.26), steals (0.50 to 0.34), and defensive rebounds (2.5 to 2.4).*

Substituting for Hibbert could also be a solution for some of the awkwardness seen between Hibbert and Hansbrough in the Cavaliers and Magic games. There were times where it seemed as Hansbrough and Hibbert were battling each other on the offensive glass for the ball. At the very least, they were each other's way.

With West likely to be out for the next two games, Hansbrough is likely to have additional opportunities to demonstrate that he deserves to have more playing time.

*Statistics were viewed 3/21/13 on the ESPN website while keeping track of NCAA March Madness.