The Toronto Raptors begin training camp Monday and for rookies Jakob Poeltl and Pascal Siakam, it will be whirlwind.

The Star asked Norman Powell, a fan favourite after starting last season in the D-League, to write an open letter offering advice to the two first-round picks.

-

Before I talk about my rookie season, here are three things you need to know:

1. Don’t be late. If practice is at 10 a.m., be there at 8:30 a.m.

2. Stay clear of any off-the-court issues that will cause trouble, do the right thing 100 per cent of the time.

3. Be an energy giver, not a taker.

My rookie season was one for the books. I had all these expectations and what I wanted to accomplish. I knew the process was going to be long and hard because I was a second-round pick and the road was harder, especially playing for a top team in the Eastern Conference, a team with two all-stars in Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan.

Being a rookie means starting at the very bottom, which is not an easy thing to do. It’s like being a freshman again but this time you’re with the world’s best players. You’re not as secure as you were in college, there is a business side to the NBA.

You can’t think ‘I can be here for four years and make something out of myself in that time.’ There is a short window to show who you are on the court and what type of person you are off the court. That means coming in and showing that you’re a good character guy with a work ethic, hunger to get better and potential to grow. You have to do what is required of you and a whole lot more, show that you’re a great teammate and do whatever the team needs you to do.

My advice on this team is to know that you’re in the best organization in the NBA. You couldn’t have come to a better place to start off your NBA careers, so enjoy it. Know that this team cares about not only the player you are on, but who you are off, the court. There isn’t anything that you will need that they don’t have, and if they don’t have it they will do everything in their power to get it.

The coaches will help you grow as a player on the court. As a rookie, I really encourage you to talk to the coaches and find ways you can develop your game. Being proactive and showing them you want to improve goes a long way.

You also need to be ready for the long season. It’s unlike anything in college, mentally and physically taxing. It is the grind of all grinds.

I have talked to you about how hard it’s going to be, there will be a lot being thrown at you at once.

Your job now is to not mess up and get yelled at by the coaches. They will tell you that you’re slowing down the drills and wasting time. It’s annoying because everyone makes mistakes — even the veterans — but you will be the ones getting yelled at because you’re the rookies.

The veterans know; it’s the start of the rookie treatment, doing all the dirty work that the vets don’t want to do like carrying bags, bringing them water, going to the store for them, bringing them their shoes before practice starts.

The treatment isn’t terrible especially with the vets we have on the team because they won’t make you do anything crazy unless you give them attitude; don’t do that, it only gets worse if you do.

Those are a few points you’re going to be faced with, it’s going to be hard, it’s going to be long. Especially on this team because playing time won’t come easy.

You’re going to have to wait for your opportunity to show what you can do; trust me that opportunity will come. It’s a long season but if you don’t get the chance and have to go to the D-League to play some, do it.

Take advantage of the reps down there because it can help you with the bigger team, so it’s not a bad thing. When they tell you you’re going down there to play, just say okay and go DO WORK and show them you don’t belong in the D-League.

I think most importantly you just need to enjoy everything about your first season. Create your own memories and enjoy the time but know it’s going to be a great time with lots of ups and downs.

Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...

Find a balance and have fun.

Good luck and have a great year,

Norman Powell