Tuesday, 7 May 2024

Smith: Pacers Media Day felt different this time

Tyler Smith September 24, 2018 0

By TYLER SMITH (@TylerSmith_ISL)
ISL Editor 

INDIANAPOLIS —  Every NBA team has a certain level of enthusiasm on “Media Day.”  It’s a new season.  Every team has some new players.  It’s only natural for the coaches and players to be optimistic and to say all the right things.

But this year’s Media Day still felt different for the Indiana Pacers compared to previous years.  This time around, the hype seems believable.

As the leader, Victor Oladipo is the main reason to buy into the optimism. His drive is undeniable.  His leadership is always present.  And his personality is infectious. Oladipo has one goal this season:  “Win.  Simple as that.”

Oladipo continued:  “I don’t want to leave any stone un-turned. I don’t want to feel like I could’ve done more.  I had that feeling last year.  I don’t plan on having it again.”

Pacers President of Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard knows what he has with Oladipo: “When you step on the floor with Victor, it’s serious business,” Pritchard said. “But then he has this great way of saying ‘Okay now we’re off the floor, let’s have some fun.’  He hits that reset button of being serious and having fun better than anyone I’ve ever been around.”

Team chemistry was one of the highlights of last year’s team.  It was the highlight to start this season as well.

Every new Pacer talked about wanting to be part of what this core has already built.

“It’s like a family here,” said Doug McDermott. “You can just tell from day one. They care about each and every player. Everyone’s in it together. It’s just a great overall environment.”

Tyreke Evans added: “I watched this team a lot last year.  They have good guys and they play together.”

Pritchard said he didn’t expect Kyle O’Quinn to sign after telling him he might not play very much.  Thirty minutes later, O’Quinn called him and said “I want to be a part of that.”

“I think the rest of the league sees it,” said Pritchard. “When they see it, they want to be part of it.”

With LeBron James playing in Los Angeles, the Eastern Conference is wide open.  The Pacers may still be under the radar, but that’s just how they like it.

“We’re still the underdogs in this league,” said Darren Collison. “We’re still the underdogs in the Eastern Conference.  No matter what we did last year, people still don’t respect us.  And that’s fine with us.”

Pritchard added: “We want to be humble and hungry.  We don’t want to talk about it.  We want to show it every day.”

Beginning October 17th, the Pacers will get their chance to prove themselves once again.

Here are some video interviews from Media Day:

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