Pacers Rookies Featured in NBA Poll

Joseph Young, Myles Turner, and Rakeem Christmas all received recognition in NBA Rookie Poll.

The Indiana Pacers have a reason to smile on their rookies after the results of the 2015/16 NBA Rookie Poll were released today.

Most notably is Joe Young’s selection of “Biggest steal in the draft,” a selection that also featured Myles Turner at T-6 in voting.

NBA Rookie Poll – Biggest Steal

Young was selected by the Pacers with the 43rd pick in the NBA Draft after spending two years with the Oregon Ducks, whereas Turner was selected 11th overall in the draft with the Pacers’ first round pick.

The rookie point guard also received votes for “Best Defensive Player” in the draft, a category that went to Rondae Hollis-Jefferson of the Brooklyn Nets, and for “Best Playmaker,” a category that (unsurprisingly) went to D’Angelo Russell of the Los Angeles Lakers. In the non-basketball category, Young received votes for “Funniest Rookie,” though RHJ also won that category.

Turner did not receive votes for any other spot, but rookie Rakeem Christmas also received votes in the “Best Defensive Player” category.

Per Scott Agness, the Pacers young guns have already begun practicing together, and despite not having seen them on the floor together it is good to see them show up in positive lights with the own peers. When Young was selected, many were skeptical of the job he could do at PG for Indiana, and though the season has yet to start, having a player voted as Best Steal in the Draft and nominated for both Best Defensive Player and Best Playmaker is reassuring that the talent is there – now it’s all about the system.

As for Turner, it’s slightly puzzling that he was not included on the Best Defensive Playmaker list given his showing in Orlando at the Summer League, but it remains to be seen whether he can be considered one of the “steals of the draft” as a lottery pick. Turner was the most efficient player in the summer league, and still has plenty of time and room to grow.

Keep checking Ink on Indy for more Pacers news.

Next: Paul George laughs off ESPN predictions

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