A lot of things went right for the Indiana Pacers in their season opener against the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday. The Pacers won by a score of 115-109 and overcame an eight-point deficit in the fourth quarter to complete the comeback. Furthermore, many Pacers brought their A-game as well.
Pascal Siakam looked great in his first-ever season opener with the Pacers, and Bennedict Mathurin scored 19 points on 5-for-8 shooting off the bench in his first official game since suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in March. However, there was one particular player who stood above the rest, making his presence felt everywhere on the court.
Myles Turner, who is entering his 10th season with the Pacers, was very impressive in the victory. The 28-year-old recorded 20 points on 7-for-14 shooting, including 3-for-8 from the three-point line, nine rebounds, and four assists in 36 minutes of play. His most impressive mark, however, was the four blocks he recorded as well.
Turner has always been a good shot-blocker, but given how bad Indiana's defense was last season, it was crucial for him to perform like he did in Detroit to set the tone. Furthermore, after his four-block game, it is a good time to look into the possibility that Turner could become a Defensive Player of the Year candidate once again.
Myles Turner may become a DPOY candidate this season
Just to put it out there--it is highly unlikely Turner will actually win the award this year. Much of the Defensive Player of the Year voting has to do with the team's overall defense. While it was made clear that the Pacers prioritized improving their defense this offseason, barring some crazy circumstances, they are likely going to remain a bottom-defensive team.
Furthermore, it seems like a give-in that San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama, who finished as the runner-up for the award last season, will earn the honor this season. Nonetheless, that should not stop Turner from potentially becoming a candidate for the award anyway.
Turner is a two-time blocks champion, most recently achieving this after averaging 3.4 blocks per game during the 2020-21 season. Additionally, in each season when he was the blocks leader (Turner averaged 2.7 blocks per game during the 2018-19 season as well), the big man finished in the top 10 of Defensive Player of the Year voting.
In an August interview with former Pacer Jeff Teague on his Club 520 Podcast (YouTube link), Turner spoke about not winning the Defensive Player of the Year award at any point in his career.
"It used to really with me bro. I know it used to really with me like my first couple years because it’s everybody in your ear. You feel like, bro, like I think in my third season like I out-blocked an entire organization, I had more blocks than the Cleveland Cavaliers team, right?" Turner said.
Turner's block numbers have gradually gone down each year since 2020-21, and it is highly unlikely that he will get four blocks every game, but his performance to kick off the new campaign may have set the tone for how the rest of his season will go.