Myles Turner’s love for Legos didn’t stop once he got to the NBA. The third-year center still puts them together in his spare time.
Do you like Myles Turner? Do you like the Indiana Pacers? Do you like Star Wars? Do you like Legos? Do you like puns? If you answered yes to those questions, then keep reading.
Myles Turner grew up in Texas with a love for basketball, Legos, and Star Wars. While he couldn’t combine all three of those at once — though I imagine Chewbacca would make an excellent center in the NBA — he kept himself entertained often with Legos growing up, as well as the Star Wars trilogy according to Sports Illustrated’s Jake Fischer.
But even after he left his parent’s home for Texas, and eventually to the NBA, those passions followed.
With the Star Wars franchise coming back into force (get it?) over the past several years, it isn’t too surprising that Myles went to see the new movies several times. Nor should it be surprising that a 21-year old with a little too much time and cash on his hands might end up dropping $500 on a new set of Legos.
"Amid the fall previews for the box office hit, Turner came across an advertisement for a giant Lego model of the Death Star on Twitter. “I was like damn, that would be dope as hell,” Turner says. “If I’m not doing anything, let me put this thing together. And then the Death Star led to Millennium Falcon, Millenium Falcon led to Star Destroyers.” Turner caught Star Wars Lego fever. “I went by Toys ‘R’ Us and legit went on a spree and bought a whole bunch.”The Death Star is comprised of 4,016 pieces and 23 minifigures, stretching 16 inches high and wide and retailing at $499.99. He built the entire 2,000-piece Star Destroyer over seven-straight hours in mid-December. “I was really bored. We had the day off,” Turner says. “It was cold as shit outside, so I was like, ‘You know what? Let me put one of these things together today.’” He ordered takeout, blasted music and beamed NBA and college basketball games all afternoon and into the evening."
This is what that process looked like.
So if you were wondering if Myles Turner was going to get into trouble in his spare time, we can safely say the answer is no as long as he keeps showing more patience than most while putting together these projects.
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While he is putting things together on and off the court lately, his Lego hobby does bring up one concern: What if he steps on one? With all these Lego sets he is buying, his home could be a virtual minefield of tiny, pain-inflicting, dangers. What if he steps on one, hurting himself? Will the Pacers list him as “DNP — Legos” if such a tragedy were to befall the 7-foot center?
These are very real concerns for anyone with Legos in their house. This should be a real concern for him and the Indiana Pacers.
Hopefully, he keeps himself out harms way as he builds all these Lego projects. And as long as he keeps improving on the court by getting more physical, it is probably a good thing he has a quiet hobby on the side.
Next: Chemistry issues plagued the Pacers last season
Sadly, Lego shut down their custom design service, so we can’t ask Turner to build a replica of Bankers Life Fieldhouse with a Reggie Miller statue outside.