Myles Turner is currently the longest tenured member of the Indiana Pacers. Selected with the 11th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, the six-foot-11 center has now played nine seasons, all with Indiana. During his first five NBA seasons, the Pacers reached the playoffs, but got bounced in the first round each time. After missing postseason action for three straight years, Turner was finally able to experience a lengthy playoff run. The Pacers reached the Eastern Conference Finals last season but were swept by the Boston Celtics. While the series final tally was one-sided, three of the four games went down to the wire.
Finally tasting postseason series wins, Turner and his teammates would surely like to take it even further. The 28-year-old Turner let it be known what he believes Indiana may need more of in order to take another step forward.
Myles Turner Shares What Can Help Get Pacers Over The Hump
More Size Needed For The Pacers?
Turner was recently on Jeff Teague’s podcast called Club 520 Podcast. The two were teammates when Teague was on the Pacers in the 2016-17 season. While Teague, Turner, and Teague’s two cohosts talked about numerous topics, one that was brought up is what piece may be missing that could get Indiana over the hump.
“I think one we gotta be a better rebounding team, we’re still kind of small” Turner said. “We just got James Wiseman so that helps a bit you know I mean he’s like 7-1 but outside of me, Isaiah Jackson was 6-9, Jalen Smith at the time was 6-9, 6-10… So we just to have more frontcourt presence, especially off the bench. And also just vets bro.”
The Pacers kept the majority of the roster that helped them to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. As Turner mentioned, they did add 2020 second overall pick James Wiseman (listed at seven-foot) who is still looking to really make a mark in the league. He is replacing Jalen Smith (listed at six-foot-ten) as he signed with the Chicago Bulls in free agency.
Looking at their current roster, Turner, Wiseman, and Isaiah Jackson (listed at six-foot-ten) are the three-tallest listed players. Next comes Obi Toppin at six-foot-nine, but he has never been much of a rebounder and doesn’t necessarily play big on defense. Three of their main starters from last season (Tyrese Halliburton, Andrew Nembhard, and Aaron Nesmith) are all listed at six-foot-five. Rounding out the starting five along with Turner is Pascal Siakam, listed at six-foot-eight.
Indiana Had Their Rebounding Woes Last Season
Last season, the Pacers had an awesome offensive attack. Their 121.0 offensive rating for the season is the second-best in league history (only behind Boston’s 123.2, also from last season). They also played at the league’s second-quickest pace which resulted in them leading the league in scoring average.
The Pacers did have their fair share of issues on the defensive end. They finished 24th (out of 30 teams) with a 118.0 defensive rating. As Turner mentioned, rebounding is a need just like it was last season. In 2023-24, their 41.5 rebounds per outing were only better than two teams. On average, Indiana was outrebounded by their opponent by almost two boards per game.
