Sir Charles in Charge
Fansided

Most Important Players For Every Eastern Conference Playoff Team

By Steven Abramo

Apr 2, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward Serge Ibaka (9) shoots a ball as Philadelphia 76ers guard Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (20) defends during the third quarter in a game at Air Canada Centre.The Toronto Raptors won 110-105. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 2, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward Serge Ibaka (9) shoots a ball as Philadelphia 76ers guard Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (20) defends during the third quarter in a game at Air Canada Centre.The Toronto Raptors won 110-105. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 28, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) shoots the ball while Minnesota Timberwolves forward Gorgui Dieng (5) defends in the second half of the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Indiana Pacers 115-114. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 28, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) shoots the ball while Minnesota Timberwolves forward Gorgui Dieng (5) defends in the second half of the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Indiana Pacers 115-114. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Indiana Pacers – Myles Turner

Paul George is scoring the most points in his career (23.2 per game), shooting a career-best 45.3 percent from the field and 48.8 from two. Yet, it took Indiana all the way to the last day of the regular season in order to punch their ticket to the playoffs.

How is this possible you ask? The answer is actually quite simple.

As prolific as George has been this season, taking over on both ends of the floor, collectively Indiana has failed to address its biggest blemish entering the playoffs: rebounding. The Pacers are near the bottom in every rebounding metric for 2017: placing 28th in total rebounds (48.1 per game), 26th in offensive rebounding percentage (21 percent) and 28th in defensive rebounding percentage (75.1 percent).

This is an issue that can be overcome with a superstar like George, and a reliable bench throughout the regular season, something that the Pacers have with Monta Ellis and Al Jefferson. However, this can’t be covered-up in the playoffs, which is why Indiana needs someone to step up on the glass immediately.

Enter second-year center Myles Turner.

Following his rookie season a year ago, Turner has made significant strides in 2016-17, becoming a more complete scorer (averaging 14.4 PPG), a stout shot-blocker (2.1 BPG), and of course a reliable rebounder (7.1 RBG).

Indiana offers a big lineup on most nights, using three players at 6-foot-11 or taller – Thaddeus Young at the 4 and Turner or Al Jefferson at the 5. This such alignment is where Turner can make the most playoff impact for Indiana, by thriving as a specialist in the high-low and defender against the pick-and-roll.

Turner’s rebounding numbers, while not overwhelming, are still good enough for the Pacers to find consistency inside. Turner owns the third best DReb% and fourth best OReb% on the team, in addition, Turner is one of only two Pacers to have a plus DBPM of 2.5.

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