Today is it, the final day as rookies for the Pacers’ Myles Turner, Joe Young, and Rakeem Christmas.
No more fetching orange soda, no more runs to the drug store for body wash, and no more breadsticks. No more rookie duties.
Pacers’ 2015 draft class: Myles Turner (11) and Joe Young (43).
In his final hours as a rookie, just ahead of the 2016 NBA Draft, Turner — the Pacers’ pick last year at No. 11 — offers advice to the upcoming draft class.
[Pacers 2016 pre-draft workout attendees]
“My ADVICE for everyone about to fulfill a lifelong dream tonight… It’s not about what # you get drafted, what city you go to or any of that non sense. People are going to talk, people want to see you fail no matter who you are, at this point I almost think it’s human nature.
“Bottom line if you can hoop you can hoop no matter if your drafted #1 or #60. Relish in the moment tonight and this weekend but come Monday know your in a dog eat dog Bussiness and you’re truly the CEO of your own multi million dollar company.
“I didn’t get that at first either but experience is everything. I’ve obviously only played one season so it’s not like I have a whole bunch of experience myself but I’ve been blessed to be in a locker room with great veterans who have taught me and are still teaching me the ways around this league.
“I’m also not slandering whoever wrote this article everyone has their opinions. But I hung this up on the ceiling in my room so I can wake up every morning and keep myself motivated. I wish each and everyone one of you the best of luck and I guess until the first game of this season according to my vets we’ll be fellow “rooks” ?
“P.S. Whoever gets drafted here I hope you like breadsticks ?”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BHAVJbUy7fX/
Well said by the young 20-year-old who was voted to the All-Rookie Second Team. We could tell last year at this time that he was mature beyond his years. That’s one of the many reasons the Pacers liked him.
And how about his message to whomever the Pacers select at 20 and 50: “Whoever gets drafted here I hope you like breadsticks ?”
He can’t wait to be on the other side where he can simply enjoy Kilroy’s famous breadsticks rather than making a stop on Meridian Street before every road trip to grab a few dozen.
[…] 2015 Draft demonstrated Bird’s ability to draft well. He picked Myles Turner, who fell to them at the 11th pick after a poor freshman season at the University of Texas. […]