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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) /
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LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 10: TJ Leaf #22 of the UCLA Bruins handles the ball against Lauri Markkanen #10 of the Arizona Wildcats during a semifinal game of the Pac-12 Basketball Tournament at T-Mobile Arena on March 10, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 10: TJ Leaf #22 of the UCLA Bruins handles the ball against Lauri Markkanen #10 of the Arizona Wildcats during a semifinal game of the Pac-12 Basketball Tournament at T-Mobile Arena on March 10, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images) /

1. Work to ensure his offensive skills translate to the NBA

Working on and improving your deficiencies as a basketball player is an obvious goal, but what about honing your strengths?

T.J. Leaf was a very skilled and versatile offensive player at the college level, but he will have to play against NBA competition before we know how those skills will translate to pro basketball.

Leaf will need to evaluate how he can best utilize his skill-set, and continue to improve upon even his most impactful abilities. Leaf may be a good offensive player from day one, but he will need to be better than that to have a long and successful career in the NBA.

T.J. Leaf appears to have limited potential as a defensive player, so the best way for him to earn consistent playing time is to have one or more offensive skills that are exceptional.

Leaf can score in a variety of ways: long-range shooting, driving to the basket or posting up. Any of these could potentially become his NBA specialty, but no matter what his niche ends up being, he needs to become outstanding in that area.

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Leaf’s value will mostly be centered around his offensive ability. Because of that, it is important for him not only to work on the weaknesses in his game, but to develop his strengths to a point where he has at least one signature skill he can hang his hat on as an NBA performer.

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