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5 Pacers Training Camp Battles to Watch Out For

By Jordan Yant

Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Myles Turner (Texas) greets NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number eleven overall pick to the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Myles Turner (Texas) greets NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number eleven overall pick to the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Joe Young vs. Inexperience

Mar 22, 2015; Omaha, NE, USA; Oregon Ducks guard Joseph Young (3) drives to the basket against Wisconsin Badgers forward Frank Kaminsky (44) during the second half in the third round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at CenturyLink Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 22, 2015; Omaha, NE, USA; Oregon Ducks guard Joseph Young (3) drives to the basket against Wisconsin Badgers forward Frank Kaminsky (44) during the second half in the third round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at CenturyLink Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

This one is not a traditional training camp battle by any means. There is however, legitimate truth behind it. Ever since Joe Young lit the Orlando Summer League on fire (22.5 ppg and 3.2 apg on 50% shooting, including 45% from 3-point land) the Pacers faithful have him stepping in from day one.

Even Larry Bird hinted at it when talking about his pair of talented rookies, according to the Indianapolis Star.

"“(I) expect great things out of them this year,” Bird said. “Usually, you bring in rookies and you say nice things about them then they don’t play for a couple years. But I expect both of these guys to play, play well. They are very talented.” Larry Bird"

On a roster yearning for a point guard, he will get his chances. Though he is not a natural point guard, he did play it his senior season at Oregon, and in doing so he earned Pac-12 Player of the Year honors. His natural scoring ability led his peers to vote him the biggest steal of the draft at this year’s rookie symposium.

All of that is well and great, but what if he steps in and completely struggles.

Turnovers seem to be an issue for him and that is something Indiana cannot afford. This will be a battle that will be witnessed when he competes during training camp.

Rodney Stuckey figures to be the primary ball handler off of the bench and there are still quite a few things that need to shake out to determine playing time. Does Paul George start at the 4? If so, does C.J. Miles of Budinger start at the 3? How does the wing rotation overall shake out?

Even the question if Toney Douglas will make the team comes down to Young. If he convinces the staff he is a more than capable option, then Douglas’ chances get slimmer. Here’s hoping that Joey Buckets (as he affectionately likes to be called) performs like he has shown he is capable and provides an instant offensive spark off the bench.

For now, it is up to him and only him to set his role for the beginning of the season.

Next: SI Ranks Paul George as 20th Best Player in NBA???

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