Pacers: Turning over a new bigger and stronger T.J. Leaf

Indiana Pacers power forward T.J Leaf knows he can’t just rely on his shooting in the NBA. He hopes adding a mix of brains and brawn will do the trick.

T.J. Leaf’s shooting was NBA-ready from his first minutes on the court. While he only attempted 42 3-pointers in his rookie season, he knocked down 42.9 percent of them. However, much of the Indiana Pacers power forward’s game was lacking in his first year.

Not big enough. Not strong enough. His defense wasn’t savvy enough.

Leaf, however, looks to change that according to Mark Montieth’s piece on Pacers.com. The former UCLA Bruin mimicked Kayne West’s “Stronger” with his training.

"“I’m a lot stronger, I’m faster, I can jump higher…just physically I’m completely different than I was a year ago today,” Leaf said.“More confident, too. I’m extremely comfortable now with this NBA game. Even when you’re not playing, you’re watching. You’re…practicing with these guys, you’re learning every day. I learned so much.”He gave credit to the veteran starting in front of him, Thaddeus Young, for helping him the most.“He taught me a lot of tricks to the trade,” Leaf said. “Holding and things you’re not going to get called for but that can help you defensively.”"

Learning sneaky veteran moves from Thaddeus Young can’t hurt either. But Thad can’t teach T.J. everything and that’s why Leaf hit the weight room. Mark Deeks detailed in his Manifesto that there are numerous things Leaf can do to improve on defense, but it starts by bulking up.

"Defensively, though, he’s a way off. Leaf is neither strong not laterally fast, and there were no favourable match-ups for him to be found. His best bet was to be hidden on those opposing stretch forwards who only wanted to shoot jumpers, but good luck finding those regularly. Making no plays on the ball, easily wrong-footed and a non-factor on the glass, opponents went at Leaf whenever they could. And he had nothing.There is a lot more to do, then, and it starts in the weight room."

Why T.J. Leaf bulking up matters

It’s great when guys train harder in the summer and hit the weight room, but for Leaf, there is added importance. While he has shown on both sides of the ball he isn’t afraid of playing a little physically, adding weight helps him to it more effectively.

Hopefully a year of coaching from Indiana’s staff — as well as Young and Al Jefferson — is addressing the mental side of things, but a bulkier Leaf can make life harder on whomever he defends, even if his technique needs work.

As you can see below, Frank Kaminsky III doesn’t find must resistance. With T.J. Leaf going from 225 to 243 pounds, perhaps he can slow down other bigs that weren’t fazed by him getting in their way a season ago.

However, no amount of physicality can make up for bad defense. Leaf absolutely must improve his technique. Even if he kept his body near his man, he often looked out of sorts trying not to get broken down completely on defense.

Once again, Mr. Kaminsky provides the example.

It isn’t just a defensive issue, either.

Leaf’s offense was NBA-ready as a rookie, though like any new guy, there were things to work out. But even if he never improved offensively, adding bulk only makes him a more efficient player.

A more physical Leaf won’t need to pull up as quickly to shoot, or even in situations where he was successful fighting down low, he simply is ready to do it more often. Power forward isn’t an easy position to play as it requires a griding and physical play style. Leaf’s body is more prepared for the wear and tear a season of basketball will put on him.

As you can see in the clips below, Leaf already finds success down in the paint, but this season defenders won’t have an easy time contesting his shots when he takes to the lane.

One thing he can work on too is not wasting effort.

More from 8 Points, 9 Seconds

On some of these plays, he doesn’t appear to have a sense of direction even when he is successful. Working off instinct is good, but as we mentioned earlier, playing physical takes a toll. His body may be more ready for it, but conserving energy and effort and more importantly, playing with better technique, will help Leaf get more mililage out of his time on the floor.

TJ’s shooting already makes him a marksman, but he does more than just that. His shooting allows him to execute pump fakes easily. If he is knocking down 42 percent of his 3-point attempts, you can’t stand around watching.

But if defenders commit too early to contest the shot, Leaf is leaving them looking silly in his rearview mirror.

Adding pounds shouldn’t have too much of an effect on these sorts of plays, but it will make things easier for Leaf when the rest of the defense is forced to rotate to cover Leaf as he drives to the hoop.

Summer League is the first step

Leaf’s time in Summer League was cut short due to an injury last season, but starting this Friday, we’ll get to see exactly what he’s improved on when things tip off in Las Vegas.

Adding nearly 25 pounds won’t mean anything if he can’t improve his defense. Unless some trades are made, it won’t be any easier for Leaf to break into the rotation this season. The muscle he packed on should make him a better scorer, but unless his defense improves his chances to score will be limited by coach Nate McMillan keeping him on the bench.

Next: Welcome to the Indiana Pacers, Tyreke Evans

Leaf shouldn’t struggle to score in Las Vegas. But he needs to look like, at the minimum, he can keep up with the opposing offenses more than he did last season while on defense. He added brains and brawn to his game, but the Summer League is his first step to proving himself worthy of more playing time when the regular season rolls around.

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