NBA: Top 5 Rookie of the Year Candidates Entering the 2015-16

Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA;

(Texas) greets NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number eleven overall pick to the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

5. Myles Turner, Indiana Pacers

6-foot-11, 243 lbs

University of Texas

This is the first surprise of my top 5. I know what you are thinking, why does this guy stand a greater chance then D’Angelo Russell to be the Rookie of the Year? Hear me out here. First off, he doesn’t have Kobe taking away his touches. Joking aside, Turner has been thoroughly impressive throughout both the summer league and preseason.

He turned heads in Orlando by averaging 18.7 PPG, 8.3 RPG, and 4.3 BPG on 61 percent shooting. Yes I know…summer league means nothing blah blah blah. The thing is Turner stands a great chance to start at some point this season and be the best big man on the entire Indiana Pacers roster.

He shows the capability to be a revolutionary talent by being a floor-stretching rim protector. His offensive game garners comparisons to LaMarcus Aldridge and the best part is that Turner may be the steal of the draft.

He was once the second ranked recruit behind Jahlil Okafor and he was completely misused by Rick Barnes at Texas. That and his “awkward running gait” led to his draft stock falling and the Pacers snagging him with the 11th pick. He even has 15 blocks in 102 minutes of preseason action.

I also had the great opportunity to interview Turner and he won me over. He is mature beyond his years and is in a great position to excel. He has made impressive strides early and has even earned the praise of the stoic Larry Bird.

Hey, if he can impress a guy who is one of coolest killers in NBA history, then I am all in.

Next: No. 4