Season In Review: Mike Dunleavy

2006-07 REVIEW: Moving immediately into the starting lineup upon his acquisition from the Warriors and remaining there without interruption, Dunleavy averaged 14.0 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 43 games with the Pacers. Maligned in Golden State because he did not fulfill the lofty expectations of a player drafted No. 3 overall, as he was out of Duke in 2002, he was freed of that mantle with the Pacers and his performance improved. His scoring average after joining the Pacers was higher than any of his previous four seasons. A no-nonsense player long on fundamentals and unusually skilled for his size, Dunleavy is still young enough (26) that his game has some room for growth.

STRENGTHS: An extremely fluid player with excellent ball skills, Dunleavy is at his best on the move, either slashing into the lane, pulling up for quick mid-range shots or trailing to the 3-point line in transition. His mid-range jump shot is among the best in the NBA; he made 51.1 percent of his 2-point attempts with the Pacers. Among the best rebounders at shooting guard in the league, Dunleavy also comes up with his share of steals. Though often criticized for defense, he actually is a solid team defender who positions himself well and takes an inordinate number of charges. There also is a quiet toughness to his game, as he has missed just 11 games in five seasons despite a willingness to give up his body for the team.

WEAKNESSES: Something mysterious has happened to his 3-point shot. Dunleavy hit 37.2 percent from the arc in his first two seasons but dropped dramatically to 29.8 percent the last two, including 28.3 percent with the Pacers. A return to form as a long-range threat would push Dunleavy to another level, offensively. Defensively, he struggles in isolation situations because of a relative lack of lateral quickness and a high center of gravity. For a player with so much skill, he seems to suffer occasionally from a lack of confidence, which can lead to passive stretches.

OUTLOOK: A versatile player with unusual skills, Dunleavy should be more productive than he has been to this point in his career. Away from the no-win situation he faced as a lottery pick in Golden State, he is free to rise to whatever level he can with the Pacers.

CONTRACT STATUS: He's signed from the 2010-11 season.