Rookie Joe Young working on his free throws during training camp.
The Pacers were pleasantly surprised when Joseph Young was still available when they were on the clock for the second time during last June’s NBA Draft. They were thrilled to then use the 43rd overall pick on the shooting guard out of the University of Oregon.
Shortly after, he arrived in Indianapolis and went right to work.
Things worked out nicely for the Pacers in the draft. Center Myles Turner was not effectively used at the University of Texas, allowing him to slip to No. 11. Then, during pre-draft workouts, Young came to Indy following the draft combine and rolled his ankle. While that injury prevented him to workout for another other teams, it allowed team president Larry Bird to select Mighty Joe Young in the second round.
Like Turner, Young spent the majority of his summer in town and worked out daily at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. At media day three months later, Young, who led all scorers in the Orlando Summer League, proudly stated that one of his goals was to be the R.O.Y., or rookie of the year.
“That’s a target goal because I feel like I am one of the best rookies out,” he said. “I’m not going to say it in shame. I put the work in. I’m very humble, but I’m just ready to play.
“These last three months I just started working even harder than I used to work because I know what got me here was my work ethic. I’m just average height. I just put my heart into it.”
[Joe Young on the Pacers Podcast, Ep. 2]
Young’s teammates are quick to give him credit for his early progress. Paul George noted how the young fella has a sharp focus and is constantly immersed in the game. George Hill praised his backup for his attitude and desire to soak in all of the knowledge he can.
“The three months since I got drafted I feel I got at least five times better,” Young added. “It got to the point I was trying to blackout. In my workouts I was seeing black, that’s how hard I was working.”
Now a few weeks into training camp, head coach Frank Vogel said the 23-year-old rookie is his backup point guard while acknowledging that there will be mistakes early on. Utilizing Young frequently from the outset is best for his development.
“He’s going to struggle at times and make plenty of mistakes, as all rookies do,” said Vogel. “Again, we’re committed to getting those guys some minutes early on as long as they keep proving themselves, keep working and having the right approach. We want to see them develop early on.”
Young will be paired with Rodney Stuckey in the backcourt, and likely play with Chase Budinger, Lavoy Allen, and Turner. Everything is still very fluid, though.
Turner is one of four rookies in Pacers camp.
I asked Vogel if it was fair to say the biggest liability of Young, who’s maybe 6-foot-2 on his tip toes, is his defense.
“His best attribute is scoring the ball, and everything else needs a little work,” Vogel said with a smirk.
After passing along to Young how Vogel said at media day that he intends to play the rookies right away, he said he got goosebumps just hearing that. Hoops is all he’s thinking about and that genuine attitude and hard work is what can help him become a factor in The Association.
“Every time I hear [something like] that,” he added with a big grin, “I either go study something, study a clip, or I go to the gym. Stuff like that motivates me.”
A sore right groin will keep Young out of Tuesday’s exhibition game at home against the Detroit Pistons. Solomon Hill (sprained left ankle) will also sit out, Monta Ellis (sprained right knee) is doubtful and George Hill (sprained right ankle) is questionable.
None of the injuries are too concerning, Vogel says.
“(Solomon Hill) is probably the worst with his ankle but he’s still probably only a few days away,” he said Monday. “Maybe up to a week, but we’ll see.”
Offseason acquisition Chase Budinger, who has yet to play in the preseason, participated in all of Monday’s practice and is expected to play on Tuesday.
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