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NBA Season Preview 2017-2018: 10 players that will make a leap this season

By Jerry Christodoulatos

MILWAUKEE, WI - MARCH 08: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks works against Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks during a game at the BMO Harris Bradley Center on March 8, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI - MARCH 08: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks works against Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks during a game at the BMO Harris Bradley Center on March 8, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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Pacers, fantasy basketball
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – APRIL 23: Myles Turner #33 and Thaddeus Young #21 of the Indiana Pacers react against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on April 23, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Cavaliers defeated the Pacers 106-102 to sweep the series 4-0.  (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

4. Myles Turner

The Pacers are going to be a wacky bunch this year. Without Paul George to buoy the offense, this team is going to struggle to put the ball in the basket. Victor Oladipo and the point guard combo of Darren Collison and Cory Joseph will take on the overwhelming majority of ball-handling and creation duties for Indiana’s offense. Myles Turner will have a big role in the offense as well though. He’ll be the go-to roll man and pop man on this roster.

Turner is pretty well equipped for an increase in usage. He made significant progress as a jump shooter last season, but he’s not a killer pick and pop threat just yet. He has stretched his game out to the 3-point line, but the further he gets from the free throw line the less accurate his jumper becomes. Myles needs to shoot a higher volume and efficiency from out deep to be a legit floor spacer for what projects to be a bricky Pacers team.  Given the leaps he’s made in each of his first two seasons, we can reasonably expect him to hit at a higher rate from long range.

Turner is already an effective roll man. He finished just above 50 percent of his shots and scored at a rate of 1.03 points per possession as the dive man in pick-and-rolls (per NBA Stats). He has the athleticism to become an elite finisher in those plays though. If he does flash major improvement, the Pacers can really get creative whenever they use him as a screener.

On the other end of the floor Turner has the potential to be a game-changing defender. Myles is a great rim protector already. The only player in the league that challenged more shots within six feet of the basket was defensive monster Rudy Gobert (per NBA stats). Last season he made big advancements in terms of pick-and-roll defense; two years ago Myles really struggled to contain pick-and-rolls and Toronto killed him with such actions in the playoffs. Most teams can’t take advantage of him like that anymore. One fairly serious concern within Turner’s game is his defensive rebounding. He’s been poor in that respect given his size and athleticism. He needs to improve in that area to become a more well-rounded player.