The face of the Indiana Pacers was just another face in the crowd on this night.

There were no autograph seekers or photo requests and very few whispers or finger-pointing as Danny Granger and his new bride dined at one of Indianapolis’ premier steakhouses.

Those who did tell Granger “good luck this season” as he exited toward his white Range Rover know the 26-year-old All-Star has to carry the Pacers if they hope to return to being a playoff regular.

“I hear that a lot from people,” Granger said, cutting into his 24-ounce porterhouse. “People ask me if we’re going to get back to the playoffs.”

Granger’s continued growth will be pivotal.

Team president Larry Bird repeatedly has said there hasn’t been a leader since Reggie Miller retired more than four years ago. The Pacers showed their faith in Granger when they rewarded him with a $60 million contract extension a year ago Saturday.

The $60 million question is: Can an introverted, lead-by-example player do everything it takes to will this once-proud franchise back to prominence?

“It’s a big responsibility,” Granger said. “I have to show up on a consistent basis. I can’t take nights off. I’m ready for it, and I’m ready to take whatever criticism that comes with leading a team.”

Do more than score

Scoring isn’t an issue.

Granger has done that against the elite teams and players. He is the only player in league history to increase his scoring average at least five points a game in three consecutive seasons. He averaged 25.8 points last season, the second-most in the franchise’s NBA history.

He also made his first All-Star appearance and was named the league’s Most Improved Player.

The Pacers, however, have nothing to show for it.

They are a combined 107-139 in the previous three seasons, missing the playoffs each time.

Granger opened this season with a game-high 31 points at Atlanta. The Pacers lost by 11 as defensive issues reared their ugly head — again.

Critics scoff at Granger’s numbers. The system is too scorer-friendly, the victories too few. No more significant than batting practice home runs.

“Leadership is a fine line in sports, and a lot of times you hear teams, actually great teams, have tremendous leadership and teams that are not so good, their leadership is questioned,” ESPN analyst and former Pacer Jalen Rose said. “Ultimately you’re going to be judged by wins and losses. I think (Granger) is the kind of talent that guys will be able to rally around.”

Granger likely will lead the Pacers in scoring again. He also knows 40-point games are meaningless in defeat.

“I think everybody knows I can score,” Granger said. “But I haven’t shown I can win. We need to win. That’s more important and beneficial than scoring a lot of points. I have to show I can carry a team.”

Time to speak up

Granger, quiet by nature, has always led by example.

He shows up on time for practice. He stays late to hone his skills. He stays out of trouble. On this night, he’s drinking lemonade, not Cristal.

Last season, a day after signing his life-changing contract, there Granger was, diving on the floor for a loose ball like an undrafted free agent trying to earn a roster spot. Paul Pierce landed on him, burying Granger’s face in Conseco Fieldhouse’s floor. Granger’s teeth shattered, but he wiped away the blood and led the Pacers to a victory. Winning ugly.

That’s not enough anymore.

Granger knows it, too. He showed a new side in an Oct. 2 preseason game against Chicago.

The Pacers were being manhandled on the boards when Granger approached a teammate, whom he wants to keep anonymous, grabbed him by the jersey and told him that he had to do a better job boxing out.

“That was really the first time that I had done anything like that,” Granger said. “But something had to be said. It’s difficult to do something like that, especially since I’m the quiet type.”

It’s going to take moments like that from Granger because the Pacers have a relatively young roster. Feelings might be momentarily hurt, but the point must be made.

“(Leadership) doesn’t just mean being the best player or most vocal person or loudest voice on the team,” Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade said. “It also means knowing what to say, how to say it to certain guys and when to say it. It’s something I had to grow into until it was my time.”

Jim O’Brien needs an outspoken Granger because the veteran Pacers coach knows his constant harping leads to deaf ears. Granger also has to be the one who keeps the peace in the locker room when “fires need to be put out,” according to Bird.

“I’ve never been with a good basketball team at the college or pro level that hasn’t had really good player leadership,” O’Brien said. “That’s where assuming ownership comes into play. You have players start coaching themselves a lot within the context of what we’re trying to do.”

His defense can’t rest

Granger used to care about playing defense.

There was no question he would guard the likes of Kobe Bryant and LeBron James.

That changed last season.

Granger rested on defense because he was responsible for contributing almost 25 percent of his team’s points.

Blame is shared. Granger could have spoken up and said he could handle both responsibilities. O’Brien also could have held Granger more accountable.

The Pacers say they want to be a better defensive team, but they know it starts with a commitment from Granger.

Against Atlanta on Wednesday night, Granger hawked Joe Johnson with the game on the line.

James, Bryant, Wade and Kevin Garnett were selected to the league’s first or second All-Defensive team last season.

“My defense was below average last season,” Granger said. "When I find that balance, we’ll be a lot better team. Look at the Cavs when LeBron started playing defense. I remember we used to play them years ago. He would take the night off defensively. It’s like night and day now what he does for them defensively.

“It’s not any fun having to watch the playoffs at home on TV. If we win, we’ll be a playoff team, we’ll be talked about a lot more and the city will be back to going crazy.”

Reggie redux?

Reggie Miller is remembered as a playoff hero. Rightfully so. But it took awhile. Miller missed the playoffs (PO) in his first two years and was eliminated in the first round the next three. Miller was the Pacers’ top scorer (Top) each of those three seasons. Here’s how Danny Granger compares entering his fifth season:

[chart]
|When|Granger|Top|PO|Miller|Top|PO|
|Rookie|7.5|N|1R|10.0|N|N|
|Year 2|13.9|N|N|16.0|N|N|
|Year 3|19.6|Y|N|24.6|Y|1R|
|Year 4|25.8|Y|N|22.6|Y|1R|
|Year 5|—|—|—|20.7|Y|1R|
[end chart]