Indiana Pacers Summer League Postgame Media Availability | July 12, 2025

Indiana Pacers Summer League Postgame Media Availability | July 12, 2025

Obviously things changed dramatically in the middle of that first quarter. What what went sideways for you guys in this one? Yeah, I thought I mean kudos to them. They did a great job pressuring us and and and pushing us off our pushing us off our spots and we’re the aggressors. I mean last last game I felt like we started bad and ended up being the aggressors at the end and we today we started on our toes. It’s just about how can we sustain it um for a full 40 minutes. What has stood out to you about Johnny Murphy’s growth in the last year um both from during the season and what you’ve seen this summer so far? Yeah, his overall game. I mean, definitely how much time he’s putting into his game and his body. I mean, he’s like I always like I said in camp, he’s one of the strongest, most athletic dudes on our team and improved since the day he stepped in into our uh organization. Um, but he’s just, you know, he just keeps he’s a worker. He’s a workaholic. Comes in early in the morning, work, stays late. So, just the growth, he keeps growing and it’s going to continue to grow. Does it feel like he’s just scratching the surface of what he could even become? Yeah, 100%. Yeah. you anticipate getting Q back any more of these games later on? Yeah, I I hope so. I mean, Q was good for us game one. Um, you know, he’s getting better every day, so, you know, we’ll see. But Johnny, I I know Kevin said he added, I think, 20 pounds. How have you seen that kind of impact what he’s able to do or the things he’s able to be better at? See, the the the the rare part that’s good that Fury has done, those 20 pounds, he’s became more athletic with them, you know, like jump testing and all the stuff we do. Um, he does a great job with our strength coach, Eric, works him out. Um, but you know, that’s the hard part is like you people gain weight and not be the same player. It’s it’s enhanced him where he can, you know, great rebounder, finish at the rim and stuff like that. Taylor’s defense really stood out for the second game in a row and I I didn’t hear much about that from him in the pre-draft cycle. Where have you liked where he’s fit in in these two games, especially on that end of the floor? Yeah, definitely. I mean, I thought I thought Tay was, you know, just I like I tell him like just keep stacking and building on top of the previous performance where, you know, he was a little more aggressive today in black defensively. Um, I mean, I think under that’s an under that’s the thing you don’t know coming into it and I saw it early in his pre-draft workout. I was like, “Oh, this guy can guard.” He fits well with us with that. Did you see a lot more confidence too from him and and his ability to get to the rim and and take that go right into his shot? It felt like Yeah, definitely. We watched film yesterday about it just telling like especially with Q out like what what was Q doing for us? Get into the paint like when we get to the rim good things happen for you or your teammate and he’s done that today. How about Cam? what has jumped out to you in the early signs and is he is he available entirely. I know he was dealing with a hamstring. Do you have any I know. I know it’s still progressing. You know, he’s getting better better every day. Um he’s definitely like the thing that stood out was one his ability to finish. You can see how crafty he is when he gets in the paint, you know, ability to get in the paint and just his attitude, his demeanor. Like he’s just a great kid where he’s always like pushing, you know, pushing others to be better and pushing himself. Just a kind of a good guy. You could tell. Um so yeah. Does his demeanor remind you of like Nimhard at all? like some quiet confidence about him. Uh I think No, I think he’s more talkative. Yeah, it’s funny. I think he’s kind of He reminds me I I don’t know. He’s He’s kind of his own person, but he’s definitely way more t talkative than Drew. Drew’s kind of like a quiet, you know, talk under his breath kind of guy. Yeah. As possess these performances you’ve had the first two games, particularly attacking the basket. I know that’s or at least looks like something you’ve been focusing on so far. Yeah, I mean, I’m just trying to be as aggressive as possible. Um, I think it’s really good opportunity for me uh to kind of have the ball in my hands a little bit more and just be be aggressive. What were the things you prioritized over the last few months and even in as the team was playing into the postseason and you were one of the first guys out on the floor every game? Um, yeah, I think just really focusing on what I can control. Um, you know, whether it’s staying in the weight room, I think that’s something that’s a really big focus for me at the moment. um that’s just going to continue to develop um as I grow and get older. Uh but also, yeah, just ball handling and just being more consistent with shooting the ball. Do you feel like your game you’re just kind of scratching the surface of of the things you could do as you get more experience in this league and and obviously fill out your body as well? Yeah, without a doubt. Um I think I’m very far away from where I will be in a few years time, so I just got to um keep working. Um but yeah, I’m pretty excited about where I can get to. you haven’t told us you gained 20 lbs. Is that like your end goal weight right now or are you still trying to add? What’s that process kind of been like for you? Um yeah, definitely still trying to add uh add more. I think I’m still cuz I such a late developer. I’m still kind of going into my body. Um but definitely want to uh yeah, I’m heading in the right direction for sure. Is that process more exercise based or how much more there is there to it than that? Um yeah, it’s a lot of a lot of time in the weight room just staying as consistent as possible. Um yeah, also just trying staying on top of my diet. How does Summer League feel different for you this year compared to last in terms of not only your comfort, but what you’re asked to do and development versus being like, “Oh, I’m in the NBA.” That kind of stuff. It’s very different. Um, yeah, I think I mentioned this before, but I kind of know what to expect now. Last year, so many different things being thrown at me. Um, so I’m just kind of, yeah, my head was pointing at all directions, but now can kind of anticipate um what’s going on, especially with the games and having having more time. Last year being a rookie, you’ve got stuff on every day like with the rookie programs and stuff. So, I can be a bit more focused this year. In what ways do you feel that weight in a good way out on the court? Cuz I was talking about how even though you’re adding weight, your quickness and agility has actually improved as well. Yeah, it has been. Um my especially my Yeah, as you said, uh it is it is improving, but I think yeah, I’m just scratching the surface of what I can be. I think I can be pretty versatile uh defending the ball as well. Um, but yeah, it’s putting on weight while maintaining my agility. Now that we’re a month removed from the season, did did you have a moment to reflect on like you never know when you get to the finals and you were able to experience that in your rookie season? Uh, yeah, I’ve reflected a little bit. Um, kind of realizing how significant it was. Um, just how rare rare that rare it was. Um, I think yeah, just being around my teammates who hadn’t had been playing in the league a long time and this that being their first time uh in the finals, just kind of observing that, seeing how seeing how much it meant to them, it kind of let me know like, yeah, this is this is pretty special.

Summer League head coach Isaac Yacob and Johnny Furphy spoke with the media after our 104-85 loss to the Thunder in our second Summer League matchup on Saturday.

0:00 – Summer League Head Coach Isaac Yacob
3:08 – Johnny Furphy