Pacers Media Day Highlights
By TYLER SMITH (@TylerSmith_ISL)
ISL Editor
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Pacers will open a new season with their first practice on Tuesday. With a new coach and a new look team, there’s a lot of optimism surrounding this franchise.
Monday was Media Day at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Here are some of the key quotes from the day:
Coach Nate McMillan-
Expectations for the team: “Our first goal is to win the Central Division, and win the East. That’s what we’re preparing for. That’s our goal. You know, Larry (Bird) is a three-time champion. He understands what it takes to win championships- the commitment and discipline that players and coaches need in order to do that. That’s what we’re trying to do here. We have a lot of players in their prime, and I’m hoping we have a lot of hungry guys.”
Style of play for this team: “The game has changed. It’s a different game than when I was coaching five years ago. The offensive attack is more on the perimeter. You’re seeing more tempo, more pace. Teams like to get closer to 90-100 possessions per game now. You have to have the roster to do that, and I think our roster puts us in a position to play any style. We want to play with a lot more ball movement. Our guys have to commit to running. Playing faster is not easy, but we’re going to have to commit to that.”
Lineup, Rotation, Playing time: “The starting lineup is set with Jeff Teague and Monta Ellis at guards, Paul George at the three, Thad Young and Myles Turner at the four/five spots. Our second unit is pretty well set too. We’ll typically play nine or 10 deep. But even though the rotation is set, our guys will compete for minutes. It’s going to be expected that they go out there and produce.”
Paul George-
What he learned from the Olympics- “Winning a gold medal- that brings an attitude to you. I think I can bring that to this team. The challenge is buying in on day one. That’s another advantage of playing in the Olympics. You don’t have a lot of time to gel together, so everybody was dialed in from day one. We need that here starting with the first practice tomorrow.”
Personal Expectations- “I’ve always challenged myself and wanted to be among the best. I think this is my first opportunity to really prove I’m ready for the task of being, for sure, the best player on the court each night.” “I’ve talked to Nate a lot. He wants me to be an example of what this program needs to be. He’s relying on me. This team doesn’t do anything unless I’m doing it the right way.”
Team Expectations- “I don’t want to jump the gun and say this is the best team I’ve been on, but it’s shaping up to be. This is the most excited I’ve been since my rookie year. I’ve got a new group with unbelievable talent.”
On teammate Myles Turner- “A lot of it depends on Myles. We have to remember it’s just his second year. But if he can make the same progression he did his rookie year, we’ll be fine.”
On teammate Jeff Teague- “I was sad to see George Hill go, but at the same time, I can’t complain about who we brought in. I haven’t played with a coast-to-coast point guard before. I’m hoping he opens up the game for me.”
“We have a lot of options, a lot of weapons & a lot of versatility.” -Paul George on 2016-17 @Pacers #NBAMediaDay https://t.co/pwpjL2O1a9
— NBA TV (@NBATV) September 26, 2016
Jeff Teague-
On being traded to Indy- “I got the call that I was moving to the greatest city in the world.” “It takes time getting acclimated to a new team but it helps me that I got to come home.”
Gelling with the new team- “It seems like most of the league has a lot of new players, so lots of teams will be in a similar situation. It’s just about getting there as quick as you can.”
On Myles Turner- “He’s one of the reasons I was excited to come here. He reminds me of Al (Horford) except more athletic. It will be fun playing together.”
First look at @Teague0 in a #HickoryPacers uniform: pic.twitter.com/34aXuVBiGU
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) September 26, 2016
Thad Young-
Personal Expectations- “I’ll have the same role I’ve always had- to bring the energy and hustle, score in different ways and do different things to help the team win.”
Excitement for the season- “I can’t wait for the first game. It’s been tough the last couple years. Finally, I’m on a team that has a chance to be very good and I can play for something very meaningful.”
Expectations for the team- “This is THE most talented team I’ve been on. It’s just a matter of us being patient. We look good on paper, but we still have to go out there and play. I’m happy to be here, and happy to be with a bunch of guys who aren’t butt-holes. Everybody’s cool.”
Al Jefferson-
How he fits the team- “I’m one of the few guys left that can play with their back to the basket. I think it’s an advantage. The game has changed, but I played on a fast-paced team in Charlotte.”
On Teammate Myles Turner- “He’s a special type of player. It’s going to be great playing with him. I hope to teach him some things about playing with his back to the basket, and add even more to his game.”
On the second unit- “We have a deep team, and you need that if you want to go deep into the playoffs. Our second unit has guys that could start.”
Myles Turner-
Team expectations- “We want to finish in the top 3 of the East, and we feel like we’re very capable of doing so.”
On being the starting center- “I feel honored, not pressured. I feel like I’ve been ready for this moment my whole life. New expectations, it’s a new role for me, but I’m fine.”
