Indiana Pacers: 5 reasons T.J. Leaf was a good pick

3. Plays hard all the time

Another asset in T.J. Leaf’s arsenal is his motor. Leaf does not take plays off. He’s a high-energy guy who combines that with an impressive set of skills.

Leaf capitalizes on his non-stop motor in a variety of ways. He goes after loose balls, he wears down the defense with his movement off the ball and he is a relentless rebounder, especially on the offensive glass.

Make no mistake about it: playing hard is a skill, and it’s a skill that T.J. Leaf possesses. He is aggressive on the court and plays with confidence, which are great signs for a player who is coming into the NBA after only one year of college basketball.

There is always a place in pro basketball for high-effort players, even when that is virtually the only ability they can offer at the NBA level.

Leaf gives consistent effort, but he is not a one-trick pony in that regard — he is also a talented and accomplished offensive player who can add a great deal to a Pacers team that is currently in transition.

T.J. Leaf’s motor is yet another reason that most scouts feel he has a high floor. He may never be a superstar, but he will certainly be a solid contributor (at the very least).