The Pacers are only three practices into training camp, but one thing is already clear: the second unit is starting to find a rhythm.
Reserve center Jay Huff came away from Friday’s session upbeat about how that group is coming together, especially with the way it’s matching Indiana’s pace.
“It’s been good. We’ve been getting after it,” Huff said with a smile. “Our second unit has been jelling really well, so it’s been fun.”
For Huff, the biggest sign of progress is simple. The reserves are playing with the same kind of speed the Pacers want from their starters.
“We play fast. That’s something the Pacers pride themselves on,” Huff said. “For us to come in and continue that speed that the first unit would be playing with, it’s really, really good.”
Huff also singled out Kelly Oubre Jr. as one of the early standouts. In Huff’s eyes, Oubre has already shown why he’s such a strong fit in Indiana.
“Kelly’s been playing great,” Huff said. “(He’s) a really, really good addition for us.”
Huff pointed to Oubre’s lob passes, his ability to attack the rim, his shooting from deep and his versatility. He also noted that Oubre has been easy to be around away from the floor.
Carlisle, though, wasn’t ready to hand out too many gold stars just yet. After hearing Huff’s praise for the Blue Team, the Pacers coach made it clear there’s still plenty of work ahead.
“Oh, he is,” Carlisle said with a smirk. “That group has had some good stretches.
(But) look, we got quite a ways to go in a lot of areas. This is practice number three.
We’re making progress, the blue team is doing a lot of good things. So, we just got to keep our eye on the ball and keep pushing ahead.”
Oubre echoed that sense of steady learning, saying the adjustment process will keep going all season.
“Everyday is a learning process,” Oubre said. “It’s gonna be like that all year. But one thing I’ve learned is that I love this style of play.”
The 12-year veteran said he’s never been in a system that moves the ball this quickly and plays with this much unselfishness.
“I love thriving in a 0.5 system, making quick decisions and (playing) unselfish basketball,” Oubre said. “I’m excited, and the sky is the limit.”
For Oubre, the decision to come to Indiana went beyond basketball. He said the move makes sense for where he is in life, too.
“I have a family and my life has slowed down tremendously,” Oubre said. “Indiana is the perfect place for us to grow, get rooted and continue to just evolve as people.”
So while Friday’s workout offered a glimpse of a second unit beginning to click, the broader message from camp was more measured. Huff likes what he’s seeing from Oubre.
Carlisle sees real progress, even if it’s early. And Oubre is already embracing the Pacers’ style.
Indiana will return for its fourth training camp practice on Saturday before holding a scrimmage in front of fans at Fan Jam on Sunday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
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