'Tis The Season Of Hoops

After a long summer, the '23-'24 season is officially here. The festivities kicked off yesterday with a team-wide media extravaganza but the business of basketball truly started today with the opening of training camp.

If there are two words on everyone's tongues around the Fieldhouse, they are "competition" and "defense." If there is a single phrase that will define this season it's "we aren't going to shit fuck around." That Shakespearian expression was uttered by Carlisle to promote this year's fan jam scrimmage, which they intend to treat as a fifth pre-season game, complete with G-League refs. Nevertheless, it perfectly encapsulates the team's attitude heading into the season.

In fact, in watching all of the interviews from media day, I found it a bit remarkable how aligned everyone in the organization seems to be. Carlisle & Co. have clearly done an excellent job at communicating expectations to the players. It's almost not worth breaking down each interview as I originally intended because the answers are all practically the same.

Q: What do you expect your role to be this year?

A: Training camp is going to be super competitive. We all deserve to start and we all have to earn playing time. I'm going to compete my tail off to help the team win but I'm also going to support my guys if I'm on the bench. It's all about winning as a team.

Q: How does the team improve from where it left off last year.

A: Defense. Everyone has to take pride in getting a stop. It starts with staying in front of your man and closing out hard, forcing long twos. Adding Bruce Brown helps but we all have to be better individually.

Q: How do you measure success this season?

A: Winning. Tyrese is tired of losing. He's setting the tone.

Q: What is the chemistry like?

A: We have amazing chemistry. The Front Office brings in good guys. We will be ruthless competitors in practice but each other's biggest cheerleaders at the same time. This year we are making an emphasis to hold each other accountable. Being vocal and not letting things slide. The chemistry allows us to do that and not take criticism personally. We all want to win.

Listen, it's training camp. You expect to hear nothing but sugar, spice, and all things nice. Even so, it's hard not to be impressed by how unified and mission-focused the team comes across. This really does seem like a group that is ready take a leap and make a name for itself. I'm expecting a fun season.

With the scripted stuff out of the way, let's dive into some of the more interesting nuggets from Media Day:

Carlisle

On Buddy: Carlisle and Buddy talk every day. No question that he’s going to come in and compete regardless of the contract situation. He lives in the gym. Buddy can compartmentalize due to his love for the game. At the end of the day, he's a special guy who Carlisle looks forward to seeing every day. 

They talked about Buddy coming off the bench last year and Buddy's been great about it. He can come in and hit five shots in a row. Thinks the basketball part will take care of itself.

On youth development: Players will decide who’s starting, who’s playing. Whatever happens, they have a good developmental situation with the Mad Ants. Hopes young guys win minutes but sending them down to the G-League is a great option. Gives them game time but also an appreciation for being in the NBA. 

On the players only camp in Nashville last week: That was a cool thing. Indicative of their closeness as a team and commitment to each other. He was impressed that some guys did two-a-days. They're doing things with a purpose, which again, is a very cool thing. 

On getting better defensively: Signing Bruce Brown was a big move. Metrics say he’s a tier one defender. They have other guys getting close to that level but they need to take the next step. As a staff they have to dig deeper this year and make defense a bigger priority. If they can take away an extra 3-4 points a game they will be in the top half of the league defensively. 

Everyone on the roster has room to improve defensively. At the end of the day defense is about guarding your man one-on-one, closing out hard, and getting "the ball off the fucking rim."

On Benn Mathurin: Has the potential to be a two-way star. It's hard to make that jump but that's the work. Benn is one of the most competitive players he's ever been around. Always asking to be coached harder. So Carlisle has faith that he'll put in the work to get there.

He thinks Benn has made strides as a teammate and seems to understand the nuances of the game more than last year.

On what will decide roster battles: Unselfishness offensively and defensive impact.

Tyrese

On FIBA impact: FIBA was first time he had to deal with the expectation of winning since college. Realized he's tired of losing. He’s willing to change to win games – to be more physical and put more focus on defensive impact.

On Buddy: This is a different situation than Sacramento. Tyrese can help mend fences here. Buddy is a pro and they'll make it work wherever he is in the rotation.

On Nashville: Ty and Bruce organized the trip because Ty loves country music but had never been to Nashville. Nesmith lined up housing and the Vandy gym for them to use. It was a great opportunity to get to know everyone. Especially Tshiebwe who is quiet but hilarious.

Myles

On being the team leader now: In the past he's said that he's the leader but now he really feels like it. He feels there are times last year that he let things slide. This year holding people accountable is a priority for him.

Myles thinks he's become a better person over the off-season. Feels more he has matured, has more "human experience." He's just in a really good place mentally and physically.

On Benn Mathurin: Myles is confident Benn will take the next step. Mathurin's mentality won’t allow him to fail. He brings an edge to the team. More importantly, Benn has grown as a person – he's putting his ego aside and committing himself to the team. 

Buddy

On his number change: Buddy picked it because he’s one of seven kids. He felt that 24 is Kobe's number. He didn't know about Jermaine O'Neal being number 7 or he would have picked something else.

On coming off the bench: It's basketball. He's confident that he can adjust to any role.

On success with the Bahamas: He thought everyone on the team sacrificed to win. It was a good lesson. Have to be unselfish and know that if you win the sacrifice will have been worth it.

On the extension: No guarantees but he expects to be here for the long term. He's just going to let his play do the talking.

Nembhard

On his role: He's not coming in with any expectations. He's just going to do whatever he can to help the team win regardless of position.

On working with Jenny over the summer: Shooting is about consistency and feel. Making sure he has consistent ball placement and kinetic transfer.

Theis

On his health: He focused on himself over the summer. Getting his body healthy and improving nutrition. He lost 15 lbs. and feels like he's back to who he was before the knee injuries. Showed during FIBA that he can play a bunch of consecutive games in a short period of time.

On good vibes coming into the year: It was frustrating not playing last year. Winning the World Cup rekindled his love for the game.

Walker

On his elbow injury: It bothered him all throughout pre-draft and Summer League but it's fine now.

Obi

On being a better defender: Obi said he's been working with Bruce Brown on learning how to guard 1-5. Sliding and being able to stay in front of guys has been a big focus of his offseason program.

Jackson

On his goals for the season: Individually, he wants to raise his averages and be a consistent part of the rotation. Thinks he can be top-5 in blocked shots.

On a different mindset this year: He spent a lot of time with his grandparents this year because his grandmother got sick. It changed his perspective and is helping him stay grounded. 

He thinks the team's focus on competition has changed everybody's mindset. They are all expecting to fight for a spot and make sacrifices. Less grudge holding than last year.

Kendall Brown

On being healthy: He was 100% going into Summer League but not necessarily in game shape.

On the Mad Ants playing in Indy: Awesome to not have to commute. To be able to sleep in your own bed. Thinks it's an advantage for Two-Way players.

Nesmith

On his offseason program: His focus has been on ball handling. Being able to play fast, get into the paint, make reads and finish. He's also been working on being able to run Buddy's actions. Setting blurs and slip screens, operating above the arc rather than in the corner. Wants to be really active and hard to guard off the ball.

On doing the little things right: Those things add up. Winning the margins can add 5 wins, which could count for two spots in playoff seeding.

On being a leader: He is making leadership a priority. He wants to be vocal and someone the young guys can come to with questions.

Sheppard

On the vets: TJ, Myles and Buddy have taken him under their wings. He is modeling his game on Buddy.

On living in Indy: He likes the city's "layout." Says he and Jarace both live downtown and hang out all the time.

Jalen Smith

On being stronger: He's put on a lot of muscle over the summer and hasn't lost explosiveness. Not sure he lives up to the nickname Stix anymore.

Nwora

On body transformation: He's lost 10 lbs. Needs to be in better shape to give his all on defense and can already feel the difference. Coaches have commented on it.

On defensive improvement: The scouting report in Milwaukee was that Indiana didn't take pride on defense. That has to change.

McConnell

On being the oldest player on the team: He will approach the game like he always has. He'll be a loud voice in the locker room and hold people accountable. Just because JJ and Hill are gone doesn’t mean what they said goes away. They are still applying the lessons learned from those guys. "We miss them but their voices are still here."