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2017-18 Pacers Player Reviews: Myles Turner

By Ryan Eggers

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 29: Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on March 29, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 29: Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on March 29, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Myles Turner Indiana Pacers
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 13: Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers takes the jump shot against the Oklahoma City Thunder on December 13, 2017, at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Bad

There isn’t necessarily anything bad about Turner’s season – he put up decent stats and maintained his role as a rim protector. But, for the expectations he’s been given, he hasn’t done a lot of improving since last year or even his rookie season. In fact, he went down in all major counting stats this year.

That can sort of be explained away by his slight decrease in minutes this year, but looking at per 36 numbers is a little worrisome:

Most of his counting stats are basically the same throughout all three seasons of his career. The only thing that has improved reasonably is his three-point percentage – a good place to improve, but not the only facet of Turner’s game that needs work.

And now, Turner isn’t just competing against himself to make the leap he needs to make. Now there’s another talented 22-year old big man on the Pacers roster. And his per 36 numbers put Turner to shame:

Turner isn’t a soft player, but he does still seem to be just a bit awkward and stocky in the paint. He just can’t pull down rebounds and score inside the way other bigs can. Take this clip for example:

Watch this clip four times. Once, watch it focusing on Turner’s upper body movements. Then watch Turner’s feet. Do the same with Sabonis. The differences are subtle, but say a lot about their presence inside. Sabonis looks a lot more comfortable at the rim, quickly setting his feet back into a strong position after his putback. Turner awkwardly gets past his man and then seems to wait for an opportunity rather than take one, all the while having unbalanced footwork. They both miss the shot, of course, but it’s a telling sequence.

Turner has the higher ceiling of the two centers, but there are some things that he can’t take shortcuts on. Sabonis is talented, skilled in the pick and roll, and excellent in the paint, and Turner won’t be able to rest on his 3-point shooting if he can’t get those skills sorted himself.

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