What Pacers’ Myles Turner can learn from Gregg Popovich on Team USA

Seeing the court and making the right decisions

Something Gregg Popovich and the San Antonio Spurs have been known for virtually the entire time he’s been coaching there is ball movement. When Pop has players on his roster that truly only care about winning, he’s able to get everyone to buy into a beautiful style of basketball where everyone makes the extra pass, hits the open man, and keeps the ball moving at all times.

I mean, just think back to the heyday of the Tim Duncan/Tony Parker/Manu Ginobili-led Spurs teams. It was truly a thing of beauty watching them play.

Myles isn’t a bad passer, and he’s not known for constant issues doing the wrong thing with the basketball. However, in terms of passing and playmaking, this is definitely an area where the other center on the Pacers’ roster, Domantas Sabonis, has a clear advantage. It’s one reason some people argued for starting Sabonis over Turner, or would prefer to trade Turner away if a decision ultimately has to be made between the two players.

All of this talk is a bit premature, and Myles’ skills on defense and shooting the ball make him the right choice for the Pacers to bet on, but still, this is an area where he could improve.

Sabonis is a great passing big, no doubt. But Popovich has had better, again with future hall of famer Tim Duncan. His court vision was superb, and he bought into Popovich’s offensive philosophy of making the extra pass and getting the best shot possible, which all led to his great passing and playmaking for a near-7-footer.

Essentially, if Myles Turner is able to pick up on literally anything Tim Duncan excelled at under Gregg Popovich’s tutelage, that can only be good news for the Indiana Pacers. Myles is already a very good center in the modern NBA, but with Pop’s help, he could become one of the greats.