Myles Turner has always carried big expectations with him as people always thought he was going to be one of the best centers in the NBA. Well, seasons have passed and the 25-year-old still looks like that player that can do more than he does on the court but he’s confident in his level.
The young big man has become a very reliable player on defense but he believes he’s more than that. After the Indiana Pacers took down the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night, Turner made the case for himself as the best defender player in the league, something similar to what Draymond Green did earlier in the week, self-proclaiming the best defender to ever step foot on an NBA court.
“I have the highest impact defensively in the league. When I’m out there, things change a lot. When I’m not, it’s obvious. … I don’t have to score to impact the game. I know where I leave my mark.”
Myles Turner after Pacers beat Mavs: "I have the highest impact defensively in the league. When I'm out there, things change a lot. When I'm not, it's obvious. … I don't have to score to impact the game. I know where I leave my mark." #AlwaysGame #Pacers pic.twitter.com/YAwB8US4CW
— FanDuel Sports Network Indiana (@FanDuelSN_IND) March 27, 2021
The Pacers beat the Dallas Mavericks, 109-94, and Turner was feeling himself after the game. It’s hard to find another candidate for the 2021 Defensive Player of the Year award outside of Rudy Gobert and Ben Simmons, but Turner could give these two a run for their money. He has shown his confidence and it’d be interesting if now he gets more attention for the coveted prize.
Not everybody will agree with his claims but Turner knows what he brings to the table. He’s leading the NBA in blocks, averaging 3.5 per night and collecting 144 in total during the season. On the offensive end, he’s averaging 12.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.5 blocks, 1 assist, and 0.9 steals per game for Indiana.
