Fieldhouse Files
Damien Wilkins was released by the Pacers one week ago, just before his contract became guaranteed for the rest of the season. What he did, earning a roster spot, and the impact he was able to have with the Pacers in a little more than four months was special. - Here’s a sample from starting center Myles Turner on Wilkins no longer being on the team: - [sigh] “… That one hit me home a little bit. For him, it wasn’t like a surprise or a low blow, so I respect that from the organization, but as far as me and him – he just talked to me all year. He’s seen this game a lot over the past years. He just wants me to be the best version of myself I can be. A lot of that is just the mental aspect of it and that’s one thing he helped with me a lot.” - Wilkins turned 38 years old last Thursday, and more than half of the team made it to a surprise celebration. - His story is a good one, returning to the NBA for the first time since 2013 after stops in Beijing, Puerto Rico, Venezuela and the G League. That last game in 2013, he got the start while with Philadelphia — and coincidentally it came at Bankers Life Fieldhouse against the Pacers. - Last Friday (Jan. 12), I sat down with Damien and his fiancé, Jasmine, for more than an hour to reflect on his time in Indy and his unique career path. - “It’s been crazy, man. But I wouldn’t write the story any different. If I had a chance to write it, I wouldn’t write it any different. And I feel like the past four years, being away from it, this year has made all of that worth it. - “The story is far from ending.” - In what may have been in final game with the Pacers, on January 6, 2018 against the Chicago Bulls, Wilkins started at the last minute and finished with a season-high 11 points and two rebounds in 22 minutes. - “This has been one of the best half years of my career. It has absolutely been amazing.” - Subscribe to the Pacers Podcast on Apple Podcasts. - I welcome your questions and comments @ScottAgness on Twitter or via email. - Topics Discussed: - - * Teammates surprising him at birthday party - * The awkwardness of knowing he was going to be waived — but none of his teammates did - * His impact on the locker room, and specifically on Myles Turner - * His Ray Allen story, and getting to the gym three hours early - * The strengths of playing for a coach who played in the NBA - * His experience playing overseas: in Beijing, Venezuela, and Puerto Rico - * Why he sits next to the coaches during games, and whether coaching or working in a front office is in his future - * What it meant to be a Pacer and play in Indianapolis [51:50] - * What’s next for him