I know we lost today and it’s only been 3 games, but man I’m happy with our 2 big guys in Myles Turner + Jalen Smith. I’m very happy I didn’t sell my Smith stock as he looks really solid I just hope we can lock him in beyond this season.
Myles Turner is finally rebounding the ball and scoring the ball with relative ease thanks in large part to Mr. Haliburton. He isn’t a Top 5 C like he claims, but I think he has taken another step in his development. Once that 3pt shot picks up a bit I can see some really big games incoming. Clearly our 2nd best player in my books.
Jalens improvement has been nothing short of amazing to watch. He seems to really have put in the work this off season. Totally different player so far.
But Myles has been outplayed in 2 straight games by our opponents bigs and now he’s got Porzingas on the road Wednesday. As nice as it is to see him have a sting of good games, by my count we’ve already faced 2 bigs in the East arguably better than him with a 3rd up next. He’s absolutely not a top 5 center.
Maybe he is finally beginning to turn the corner and he can prove me and all the doubters wrong. I’d truly love nothing more. But it’s year 8 already. He’s 27. Even if he does take a leap he’s got what, a couple seasons before age starts taking away his athleticism? I personally think it’s too little too late.
I wish his career didn’t go down the way it did but what happened can’t be undone. A new role every year for what 5 or 6 seasons along w 4 coaches in the same span. Usurped by a guy who was a throw in with the PG trade. Never got to be “the guy”. The only player left from better times. And he put up with it all and still comitted to stay here longer. You can’t deny the heart the man has or question his dresire or his competitiveness. He defines what this organization wants in a player.
But it’s been 8 years. He’s well into his prime. He’s the player he’s always gonna be.
OK yall, I know how this goes anytime i criticize Myles or defend Buddy, so go ahead and shit on me even though Im not simply trashing, obviously sympathize with and respect Myles and have legitimate concerns/observations.
I don’t think you watched the games
The problem isn’t Myles getting outplayed, it’s our incompetent PNR coverage Mainly Haliburton.
They literally just try to get him involved in every play now and if leaves players wide open at the rim.
Mobleys game was mainly due to Mathurin
Here’s each bucket
1st bucket
Offensive rebound after LeVert free in the lane
2nd
Spin move on Stix
3rd, Dunk on McConnell lost Stix
4th, dunk kn Myles after Obi screen/switch
5th Sweeping hook on Myles
6th Mathurin caused switch, cut and dunk
7th Mobley transition bucket
8th Strus Screen, lost Mathurin
9th PNR lost on two in one (Haliburton left)
10th transition bucket
11th garbage time 3 pointer (second to last possesion)
So as you can tell only two buckets was a center scoring on Myles Turner
He was never billed as a top 5 center, was he? I certainly haven’t seen people suggest he was. What people do say is that he is a top 5 defensive center. I would argue he was or certainly very close to that last year, but the start of this season he’s changed his focus on rebounding more and that seems an intentional change.
He is on a team friendly contract for a good starting center and he is a big part of this team’s identity. Comparing him to Jokic, Embiid, Bam, Gobert, Davis, Porzingis… he isn’t on that level, there’s new kids on the block that are looking better as well, Mobley, Allen, JJJ. Holmgren…
I’m happy with Myles as our starting 5, he’s capable and offers a variety to our big men game that other teams may find difficult to cope with.
I think he’s better than Allen by a lot, Porzungas by a hair, Holmgren by a mile.
Porzingis has a much more complete offensive game than Myles. Holmgren is on the list of players that may well overtake him in the next few years, just as Allen is.
In a sense I think Mobley already is better than Myles in a lot of ways, but the confused positioning makes me wonder if he is a 4 or not…
Maybe he is finally beginning to turn the corner and he can prove me and all the doubters wrong. I’d truly love nothing more. But it’s year 8 already. He’s 27. Even if he does take a leap he’s got what, a couple seasons before age starts taking away his athleticism? I personally think it’s too little too late.
Didn’t he prove you wrong last year when he had the best season of his career, averaging a career high in PPG, RPG and shooting percentages? He way more physical in the post, was showing actual post moves, was efficient in both pick and roll and pick and pop situations, and got the foul line more than ever in his career.
If a 18-7 guy like Myles took another leap he would average maybe 23 and 10. He’d be a lock for the All Star Game. Thats just not who Myles is.
Can we just move on lol, I thought we were done with those type of posts
Can’t deny Myles had his best season last year and every single thing you wrote about his development is on point. Then he got his bag and didn’t help us win a thing without Tyrese on the floor for 11 straight. Our second best player should be able to step up and prevent an 11 game skid. That may be a hard truth to swallow but it’s a truth all the same. After Myles got paid and without Tyrese he was the same old Myles.
Can we just move on lol, I thought we were done with those type of posts
If by these types of posts you mean legitimate criticism and concerns from fans who want to see the Pacers win a Chip, not as long as I’m here, no we won’t move on.
I watched the Knicks beat us through the mid 90s. I saw Reggie best Jordan in game 6 then saw Jordan be Jordan in game 7. I saw Larry Johnson kill us with 4 point bullshit in 99. I saw the Lakers beat us in 2000. I saw Prince Block Reggie. I saw the Malice and the suspensions. I shed a tear at Reggies last home game. I watched us shock everyone in 2012, come back with a vengeance in 2013 and Hibberts collapse in 2014. PGs LEG, Victors fall, the awful officiating of the 2018 Heat series, Bjorkren and the whole last decade of mediocrity… I went through it bro and I just want to see the Pacers win a Chip.
And I’m not sold were gonna do that with Myles.
Jalen has really looked good. But to say Myles has taken steps in this small 3 game sample size is a bit disingenuous. Myles in game 1 vs the Wizard he got in foul trouble played 23min and only scored 11pts. Game 2 vs the Cavs Mobley was clearly the best center with 33pts & 14rbs 3 blks. Game 3 vs the Bulls again the best center in the game wasn’t Myles, but Vucevic with 24pts 17rbs. So far this short season Myles has yet to look like the better center in the game, so to say Myles has taken steps… not yet… maybe later this season but not yet.