Smith: Myles Turner looks like a star in the making
BY TYLER SMITH
ISL Editor
(Photo by Pacers Sports and Entertainment)
INDIANAPOLIS — Right before this year’s NBA Draft, Pacers General Manager Kevin Pritchard talked about the importance of getting the right player: “You try to get the best player you can because in a small market, it’s your only chance to get special.” It might be early in his career, but Myles Turner looks like he fits the description of special.
After a hot stretch of games, Myles Turner was inserted into the starting lineup for the first time in his career on Thursday night. He rewarded Coach Vogel’s decision by scoring 20 points and grabbing six rebounds in 26 minutes of play. It was his seventh consecutive game scoring in double-figures.
“There’s going to be some ups and downs, because he’s only 19 years old,” Vogel said. “But we feel really good about what he’s going to be.”
In the month of January, Turner is averaging 11.5 points per game in just over 17 minutes per game, while shooting a blistering 61% from the field. He’s averaging 19.7 points per game in his last six.
Here’s another impressive statistic: Coming into Thursday night, Myles Turner had a Player Efficiency Rating (PER) of 20.51. That’s good enough for sixth among all power forwards in the NBA, and 3rd among all rookies. He’s ahead of big names such as: Aldridge, Horford, Duncan, M. Gasol, Nowitzki, Love, and Randolph in this stat.
It’s hard to say what has been the most impressive thing about Turner’s game: His age, his shooting percentage, or the fact he’s putting up such big numbers in such low minute totals. If you look at Turner’s numbers per 36 minutes, he’d be averaging 19.1 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game. Most starting bigs play in the 30-34 minute range, so you can adjust those numbers down a bit. Even so, they are highly impressive for a teenage rookie.
Larry Bird recently sat down with the team’s website and had high praise for the rookie: “I don’t expect him to play great every game, but he’s one of our most talented guys out there and probably our best shooter,” Bird said. “I couldn’t imagine playing against him at 19.”
Bird had his sights set on Turner all along with the 11th pick in the draft: “Myles was my guy all the way. I didn’t think Myles would ever be there.”
Turner’s work ethic has also been an impressive story-line in his young career: “I’ve been here a long time, and our strength and conditioning coach said that he’s never had a guy work as hard as him,” Bird said. “He’s just got to stay healthy and keep playing. This kid down the road will be a real leader.”
A lot of rookies play well at home but struggle on the road. Turner? He’s shooting 62% away from Bankers Life Fieldhouse. There’s just a whole lot to like with this promising youngster.
“I’ve been dreaming about this my whole life,” Turner said. “It’s all about opportunity. My role on this team is to provide energy and bring a spark. I just want to go out there and play.”
Regardless of how this season turns out for the Pacers, they’ve already had one huge victory with Myles Turner. With a duo of George and Turner for the Pacers future, fans can begin dreaming big once again.
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