Hoops Habit
Fansided

Indiana Pacers: 5 goals for T.J. Leaf’s rookie season

By Adrian Lawhorn

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 22: T.J. Leaf walks on stage with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted 18th overall by the Indiana Pacers during the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 22, 2017 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 22: T.J. Leaf walks on stage with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted 18th overall by the Indiana Pacers during the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 22, 2017 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
BROOKLYN, NY – JUNE 22: T.J. Leaf speaks with the media after being selected 18th overall by the Indiana Pacers at the 2017 NBA Draft on June 22, 2017 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Pellegrino/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY – JUNE 22: T.J. Leaf speaks with the media after being selected 18th overall by the Indiana Pacers at the 2017 NBA Draft on June 22, 2017 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Pellegrino/NBAE via Getty Images) /

4. Gain experience

Every NBA rookie needs to gain experience at the pro level, but let’s dig into T.J. Leaf’s specific circumstances as he approaches his inaugural season with the Indiana Pacers.

Leaf is 20 years old and entered the NBA Draft after one year at UCLA. NBA competition will be a huge jump for Leaf — he will be playing against grown men who are seasoned competitors at the professional level.

Leaf had plenty of room to grow even as a college player, but now he’s in the NBA and will need to develop his skills quickly in order to keep up and hopefully prosper during his rookie campaign.

Aside from what happens on the basketball court, T.J. Leaf will need to grow off the court as well. The NBA lifestyle can be a grind (both physically and mentally), and it can be difficult even for veteran players.

The way the roster is currently constructed, Leaf will only play spot minutes as a backup power forward. This is good for him, because he can work on his game and see how he fits in without too much being expected of him in the short-term.

In addition, it’s important that Leaf watch and learn from the veterans around him — learning how to be a professional is every bit as important as improving your skills as an NBA rookie.

Home/Indiana Pacers