Indiana Pacers: Myles Turner provides more value than meets the eye

Myles Turner provides more value than meets the eye for the Indiana Pacers

Indiana Pacers’ center Myles Turner recently deleted all of his social media. It was a move that shocked Pacers fans on Twitter, but it should not have been.

Turner has often been lashed out on social media by upset Pacers’ fans that don’t think Turner’s numbers are good enough for the blue and gold. It seems as if the fans expect Turner to be a 20 points and 15 rebounds a night guy and that is just not who he is.

It is true, as of late, Turner is struggling on the offensive side of the ball. He is shooting 42.0 percent from the field this season and his 3-point percentage has dipped down to 35.9 percent. He is only averaging 10.9 points per game and 5.6 rebounds per game. If you look at those numbers, maybe you would agree with the discontent of the Pacers fans.

In actuality, the Indiana Pacers do not need Myles Turner to be an offensive juggernaut. There is so much more to Myles Turner.

Turner is currently averaging 2.3 blocks per game. A number that some fans seem to think does not mean much. That number means a lot. If he is averaging that many blocks a game think about all of the different shots he is altering or how many times players second guess going into the lane because Turner is down there.

The blocks are important. Against the New York Knicks, on Saturday, December 7, Turner had five blocks including a game-winning block with three seconds left in the fourth quarter.

https://twitter.com/Pacers/status/1203525834260320256

Then there are the rebounds. Rebounds are obviously important, but Turner does not need to grab double-digit rebounds. Power forward Domantas Sabonis is there to gather every loose ball he can and is averaging 13.5 rebounds per game. Sabonis is fourth in all of the NBA in rebounds. Let him rebound and let Turner block. It is that simple.

When it comes to the offense of Myles Turner, I understand the frustration when you look at his field goal percentage. As a big man, one would expect it to be higher than 42 percent, but there is one major aspect of Turner’s offensive game that greatly benefits the blue and gold. Turner can space the floor.

He can knock down the three consistently, so even when he is off his game, the opposing defense has to respect him. His ability to make shots beyond the arc opens up the paint for Sabonis to go to work and for guards, Malcolm Brogdon and Jeremy Lamb, and forward, TJ Warren, to drive into the lane and create their own shot. He is more valuable than a lot of people realize.

Turner is never going to put up flashy numbers. He is not going to be 20 points and 15 rebounds guy. What he is going to be is a consistently solid starting center that provides an invaluable amount on the defensive end. Next time you feel like taking a shot at Turner on social media, try to remember all of the little things he does to help make the Pacers successful.