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.