Myles Turner made his Milwaukee Bucks debut on Wednesday night. And, while it wasn't perfect, he looked like a great fit for the team and immediately reminded the Indiana Pacers what they no longer have.
In a Bucks victory against the Detroit Pistons, the Texas native recorded 11 points on 4-for-12 shooting, eight rebounds, five assists (which was tied for the team-high with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Cole Anthony), and three blocks in 29 minutes.
Turner made an impact everywhere on the court, even on the boards. His shot wasn't falling, but he was getting open looks.
His ability to stretch the floor made him such a crucial part of Indiana's success for a decade, and it was on full display on Wednesday when he took eight attempts from deep (even though he only made two of them). This opened up the floor for Antetokounmpo to do his thing and drop 37 points.
If the Bucks want to establish themselves as contenders in the East this season, this will be an important element for their team to focus on.
In just his first game with the Bucks, Turner already proved that he is a good fit with them and can help them compete. Only time will tell if his departure will hurt the Pacers more than it will help the Bucks, but very early on, things do not look great for the blue and gold as they are on the hunt to find his replacement.
Myles Turner's departure leaves a huge problem the Pacers must fix
Heading into the offseason, it was considered a given that Turner would re-sign with the Pacers. He was a fan favorite and was a big part of the team's recent success. However, he signed with the Bucks in a shocking move and forced Indiana to move to Plan B, which does not seem too promising.
In an attempt to replace the 29-year-old, the Pacers will run a center-by-committee with Isaiah Jackson, Jay Huff, James Wiseman, and Tony Bradley. Having four centers on the roster heading into the regular season is a bit unorthodox, but given that the Pacers are in a "try things out to see what works" mode, this might ultimately work out pretty well.
Regardless, none of these center options are intriguing starters on a championship-caliber team, and that's what should worry Indiana.
Turner's not a perfect player. He is streaky, his defense has regressed, and he's never been a good rebounder. But, say what you will about him, he was at least a dependable player far more than he wasn't. And, at his best, he could change the game on both sides of the ball.
It is only one game, and there is still a ton of basketball left to be played. Still, if his Bucks debut was any indication, then Turner is about to help make his former rival a potential contender this season, all the while Indiana still aims to navigate through life without him.
Yes, there is a chance this all works out in the end for the Pacers. But, until there is more clarity on their center situation, fans will be stuck yearning for more while their former beloved big man makes an impact elsewhere.