Pacers Player Review: Myles Turner is still growing up

Myles Turner is a true rising star for the Indiana Pacers, he just needs a little more time and a little more muscle to develop into an All-Star.

After the departure of Ian Mahinmi in free agency, Myles Turner was given the keys to the center position along with every opportunity to grow and show off his talents. He improved across the board in every statistical category in 2016-2017, but wasn’t able to serve as the Robin to Paul George’s Batman come playoff time vs. the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Mahinmi and Roy Hibbert were true rim protectors during their time with the Pacers and Turner was expected to carry the load and redirect shots down low. He did average over 2 blocks per game, but his wiry frame didn’t exactly lend itself to bang with larger centers such as DeMarcus Cousins and Tristan Thompson.

You can make the case that Turner’s best game of the year was also the first game of the season against the Dallas Mavericks in the home opener (30 points, 16 rebounds and 4 blocks). Games like these will become the expectation though in year 3 if Turner can truly make the leap everyone expects from him.

Significant Digits

81 Games, 81 Starts

After missing 22 games in his rookie season, it was a welcome sight for Turner to suit up in nearly every game this season and get the seasoning he needed to grow and develop.

35% 33-point field goal percentage

Turner finally stepped out behind the 3-point line and made 40 of them after attempting just 14 three’s in his rookie season. Myles could certainly use some development with his post-up game, but if he’s able to keep defenses honest from deep he could become an all-around threat offensively that continuously pulls defenses out of the paint.

Myles Turner’s Season Summed up in One Archer GIF

If you followed the Indiana Pacers, you needed a sense of humor. Laugh so you don’t cry. And what’s funnier than Archer? Nothing. Nothing is the answer.

Sweatin’ Bullets

Sweatin’ Bullets is an 8p9s tradition started by Jonny Auping in which we offer standalone facts, observations, and commentary, often devoid of context or fairness.

• Myles Turner turned 21 this season and was finally able to enjoy his first alcoholic beverage (unless he accidentally tried one at Texas). Youth is in short supply on the Pacers these days and Turner is a huge building block.
• Playoff Nightmare: Turner was thoroughly outplayed in the playoffs only putting up double-figure scoring in Game 4 and never posting a double-double. Twice he was held to just 6 points and looked very lost a majority of the time. Pacers fans have to wonder what the series might have looked like if Turner saved his best for the Cavaliers when it really counted.
• Turner improved in every per game statistical category this season: PPG (10.3 to 14.5), RPG (5.5 to 7.3), BLK (1.4 to 2.1), AST (0.7 to 1.3) and STL (0.4 to 0.9). Can he repeat next season?
• We’d all like to forget Game 3 when the Pacers blew what seemed to be an insurmountable lead, but Myles Turner’s Poster Dunk over Tristan Thompson was the highlight we should all remember.

One Key Question

Can Myles Turner be “The Guy” for the Pacers next season?

The Situation: Assuming Paul George is moved this offseason, everyone will look to Myles Turner as the go-to-guy. You can certainly build around Myles, but does he have the ability to lead his teammates as the best player on the floor night in and night out? In addition, is he best utilized as a center in today’s NBA?

Best-case Scenario: Paul George stays a Pacer, Myles Turner continues to develop and Kevin Pritchard pulls a rabbit out of the hat and adds a 3rd star to give the team a promising 3-headed monster in the Eastern Conference. Turner gets moved to the 4 and shoots 40%+ from long-range.

Worst-case Scenario: Myles is asked to lead without a true star on the roster and struggles mightily as he did in the playoffs this year. He gets overworked on the glass as an undersized center leading to injury.

Next: Player Review: Thaddeus Young doesn’t get enough credit

Prediction: I maintain that Myles’ best position on the floor is a stretch four who can space the floor, block shots in the paint and knock down three’s. He needs a true center to allow him to roam instead of being asked to do the dirty work inside. I predict Pritchard adds a rebound-first center who can take the pressure of Myles and allow him to develop the best parts of his game. It could be his last year playing alongside a star like Paul George — better make it count young fella.