Pacers trot out Aaron Holiday to the media

After being selected 23rd overall in last night’s draft, Aaron Holiday, alongside GM Kevin Pritchard, was introduced to the media today.

Today, the Indiana Pacers’ first round pick Aaron Holiday was introduced to the media.

It was honestly a pretty short introductory press conference. It clocked in at just a little less than eight minutes, but it gave us good insight as to who Aaron Holiday is, how he plays, and why GM Kevin Pritchard and his scouts liked him enough to use their first round pick on the former UCLA Bruin.

Pritchard came right out of the gates reflecting on how many mock drafts the Pacers war room had looked through and he couldn’t, “remember in many where we thought he was gonna be there [at the 23rd pick]”.

Pritchard then goes on to explain that there was a possibility of the Pacers potentially trading up in the draft, but then they, “kept seeing that there was an option to get this really special kid”.

A smile graced Holiday’s face.

Pritchard described Holiday as, “a point guard who is tough, committed to his teammates, who’s a complete Pacer.” He continues with saying, “we actually talked a little bit about what he’s about, and it’s exactly what we’re about.”

Then it was Holiday’s turn.

Now, let me preface this by saying, Holiday appeared to be a little more on the quiet side. It may have been a few nerves he’s still trying to work out, or that may just be his personality. If it’s the latter, that’s not a problem AT ALL in my book. If you want to let your game do the talking, that’s fine by me.

After being asked a few questions about growing up with brothers (also NBA players) Jrue and Justin, Holiday was asked about a young Pacers team pushing the Cleveland Cavaliers to a seven-game series in the first round of these most recent playoffs.

He responded with, “as you said, they pushed the Cavs to a seven-game series. They had a very good chance at winning that game, but a lot of young talent (is) on this team, and I’m just ready to be a part of it, to be honest.”

What followed were a few more questions about what it was like growing up alongside Jrue and Justin, where he described losing to them as, “a good teaching moment for sure.”

Then the question we all knew was coming, came. Every draftee gets asked it, every signee gets asked it, it is a question along the lines of “how does it feel knowing you’re going to be playing in a state that cares about basketball more than anything?”

Holiday answered it simply, but it was an answer I’m more than happy with.

“It’s always fun playing in front of a great fan base, I’m really excited about that part,” he said.

The last question Holiday was asked was one that I had been wondering myself. Did he think he would fall to 23rd overall? In 8 Points, 9 Seconds’ Draft Day Roundtable, I didn’t think he would.

Holiday didn’t think he would either:

Overall, Holiday seems to have a good head on his shoulders. He appears to be eager to learn, and ready to get out on the court this fall. Holiday seems ready for Indiana, and I’m pretty confident Indiana is ready for him.

Next: Matthes Manifesto: A complete guide to the Pacers summer

(If you want to watch the press conference in its entirety, click here.)