The 2021-22 NBA season has been long for the Indiana Pacers. Myles Turner has missed significant time this season and the Pacers are a much different team than the one he last took the court with.
Myles Turner will finally get the chance to play the five for the Indiana Pacers. With Domantas Sabonis gone, how does Myles fit into this Pacers roster?
It starts with defense. Myles has made defense the focus of his game over the last few seasons while slowly improving his shot from behind the arc. In each of his first four seasons, his three-point percentage increased.
Before the injury to his foot that has kept Turner sidelined for 17 consecutive games, Myles led the league in both total blocks and blocks per game. There is not much question that shot blocking is his strength.
With the addition of Tyrese Haliburton, the Pacers get a better on ball defender than Sabonis, his quickness and smaller frame give him a much easier time in switching onto players.
This helps Turner be less of a cleanup man for defensive missteps and more effective in different defensive schemes – less points allowed for the other team.
Of course, his offensive role is going to be expanded. This was exactly what Turner had been so vocal about this season – role clarity. The Pacers no longer have to start two centers, the stage is his.
"“I’ve been given many roles in the years that I’ve been here, and I feel like I’ve been able to produce at a high level in the roles I’ve been given,” Turner said.“I’ve shown that I can do the things they ask me to do, and I think it’s time to put that all together and be a more prominent night-in, night-out guy on the offensive side of the ball instead of someone who is asked to be a floor spacer and hide in the shadows.”"
We have actually seen what Myles can do while playing without Sabonis just one time this season, before Myles got hurt and Sabonis was removed from the roster.
It was in a game against the Houston Rockets where the Pacers would win by 12 points and Turner would score his second highest points this season.
In the game, Turner shot extremely well. In fact, 14 of his 18 shots were good and he ended the game with 32 points along with 10 rebounds.
It was as if the floodgates were open for Turner. He was attacking the basket with ease, shooting the ball comfortably, and running pick and rolls with Caris LeVert.
Imagine this Myles Turner now being paired with Tyrese Haliburton’s high level passing abilities – the potential is endless. In my opinion, Turner will thrive in the screen and pop role with what will be a new style of play for the Indiana Pacers.
Although Saboins was the double-double machine, rebounding shouldn’t be much different with Turner, he scored 10 or more rebounds in 10 of the 42 games he has played this season.
He has had some struggles this season in that department, but we are now looking at a fresh start with a new roster. I think Turner will be a lot different in rebounding just by the different positioning he will have in this system.
Rick Carlisle made it known that he would use Myles Turner as a potential lob threat this season, but it never truly took form before his injury. Instead, Isaiah Jackson has been more of the beneficiary of that role as of late.
However, Chris Duarte was able to connect with Turner on one in this game against the Rockets, maybe a sign for how Carlisle wanted to play all along?
I don’t think the lob threat is dead with Turner, in fact, I think this is the true beginning for how Carlisle wants to operate the offense. A really great read from the rookie has me excited for the future of Pacers basketball.
I believe Myles will have the ability to play more free, which will be great in allowing him to pick when to be aggressive and not make him feel stuck or obligated to shoot some three.
The Indiana Pacers have made mention that Turner will look to get back to action after the All-Star break. Until then, Tyrese Haliburton is a Pacer.