Indiana Pacers Center Myles Turner recently joined the Podcast Club 520which is hosted by former Pacers guard Jeff Teague, and Turner analyzed the play of his current teammates.
Turner and Teague shared the court with the blue and gold during the 2016-17 season. Teague was the starting point guard for that group and bonded with the younger Turner, who was starting in the frontcourt for the first time.
Today, Teague is retired. He won a title in 2021 and has not played in the NBA since. He is now the head coach of the Pike High School boys basketball team and hosts the Podcast Club 520.
Turner joined him to chat and answer questions about the Pacers and his current teammates. The veteran is about to enter his 10th season with Indiana, a remarkable feat and a rarity in the modern NBA.
First on the list was Pascal Siakam, who was traded to the Bleu et Or in January and immediately connected with TurnerThey formed a great frontcourt duo in the recent playoffs. “He takes care of his business. That’s why I respect him. None of this is superfluous. [stuff]. He comes in, he does his job and he goes home,” Turner said of Siakam. The Pacers had a net score of +2.8 when the two shared the court. “His game is crazy. He can face the play, he can go downhill. He can shoot a little bit. Versatile defender. He was the missing piece.”
Turner’s life on both ends of the floor became easier after his team acquired Siakam. It was harder for opposing teams to put fours on Turner, allowing him to punish slower centers. Siakam’s length also improved the team’s defense. Both forwards improved each other.
Indiana star Tyrese Haliburton also makes everyone better, and Turner spoke about him as well. “He’s got an infectious spirit. I think he’s someone who, he plays better, he’s in a better frame of mind when he knows he’s got everybody involved. He’ll get to the side. He can go downhill when he needs to. But he really wants to pass the ball,” Turner said. He noted that when Haliburton goes to his preferred level, it takes the focus off the point guard. “When it’s time to let him do his thing, it’s like, ‘OK, bet.’ He’s got one of the best players on the team.” [those] personalities who are easy to live with.
Turner also talked about two young players, calling Andrew Nembhard a “dog” before diving deeper into sophomore forward Jarace Walker. “Jarace, he’s one of those guys that can do it all. A real Draymond [Green] “I think he can really open doors. If he really needs to score, he can do it, for example. Jarace has a lot of vision. I feel like that’s what people haven’t been able to see. It’s the same thing, he’s also a versatile defender.”
The Texas native added that Walker simply needs an opportunity, but he has to wait his turn, as he is currently behind veterans and All-Stars in the rotation. Turner explained that he and other veterans are making sure to keep Walker’s confidence up while he invests in his time before becoming a potential rotation player.
Turner too discussed the addition of James Wiseman for the blue and gold as well as other topics about his career. The full conversation can be found here.
