Myles Turner Exudes Confidence and Charisma

Pacers Pulse is a chance to catch up on some of the smaller stories and to highlight some of the best work covering the Indiana Pacers.

If nothing else, Myles Turner is going to give us some great interviews.

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The 7-foot power big man sounds charismatic and comfortable in front of the camera in Jared Christopher of the Star-Telegram’s Steal of the Draft video. Go ahead and click on the link and watch as Turner returns to Trinity High School where he averaged 18.1 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 6.8 blocks as a senior.

This may have nothing to do with basketball, but he already sounds like a seasoned veteran when he talks on camera. Calm, clear, and collected unlike many 19 year olds or even most adults. We saw a glimpse of his personality when he did a Twitter Q&A with Pacers.com and while some people never get comfortable with a microphone in their face, Turner bleeds confidence. I know it means nothing basketball-wise but I like to see confidence from anyone, much less a player who has to perform in a deafening arena for 82 games or more. I’d like to believe that if he hangs around long enough and earns the team’s respect he could be a vocal leader in the years to come. Who knows, but I’d like to believe that confidence is why he was the first freshman in NCAA history over 6’10” with 17 3’s and 89 blocks. We’ll know soon enough if he really was the steal of the draft.

News and Notes

• Speaking of Turner’s confidence, take some time to read Slam Magazine’s article on how exceptional he is as a player. If nothing else the Nima Zarrabi had this anecdote about Turner’s running style that had some teams worried about his long-term health.

"There was some discussion going around about his awkward running style and potential for future injuries due to his gait. Turner was surprised and baffled at the news, but he took a proactive approach following his freshman campaign at Texas. After huddling with Miller, long-time trainer Ken Roberson and his father Ken about the issue, Turner scheduled an evaluation at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. Following extensive testing, Turner was found to have no issues. The hospital provided a detailed 27-page report, sent to every NBA team, stressing that Myles was completely healthy but needs to improve strength in his core and glutes as he continues to fill out his frame. “This is really about me growing into my body, getting acclimated to the way that I’m growing,” says Turner, a late bloomer who stood at 6-2 as an eighth grader. “I’m getting stronger and that’s probably the most important thing for my body as I develop. The visit was to give everyone assurance that there is nothing to see here—that’s really what the point was. I let the teams know that I am ready to go and there are no adjustments that I need to undertake medically.”"

• Scott Agness of Vigilant Sports has a few photos from the Indiana Pacers locker room remodeling. It is the first major update since 1999, which isn’t that long ago… wait a minute, that’s been 16 years? Welp, I feel old.
• The Ice Bucket Challenge is back, apparently.

ICYMI

• Will The Indiana Pacers Offense Have Room To Work?
• George Hill Helps Fill 5,000 Backpacks for IMCU
• Indiana Pacers Organist Neil Copley Passes Away
• Joe Young Is Up To Something Fishy
• Glenn Robinson III ‘Dunks’ on a Phunkeeduck
• Report: Indiana Pacers To Buy Fort Wayne Mad Ants

Next: Glenn Robinson's Contributions Don't Always Show Up in the Box Score