Behind the Bucks Pass
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Milwaukee Bucks Preseason Preview: Oct. 4 vs Indiana Pacers

By Ti Windisch

MILWAUKEE, WI - MARCH 10: Tony Snell #21 of the Milwaukee Bucks dunks in front of Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers during the first half of a game at the BMO Harris Bradley Center on March 10, 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 10: Tony Snell #21 of the Milwaukee Bucks dunks in front of Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers during the first half of a game at the BMO Harris Bradley Center on March 10, 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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PHILADELPHIA, PA – APRIL 10: (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – APRIL 10: (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images) /

Player to watch – Myles Turner

Victor Oladipo is new and flashy, but the real player to watch on the Pacers is Myles Turner. For Indiana to be anything other than very bad this season, Turner will have to make yet another leap as a player on both ends of the floor.

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As previously mentioned, his defense is already pretty good. His advanced metrics, whether it be defensive rating, defensive win shares or defensive box plus-minus, all paint Turner as a plus defender. The eye test doesn’t disagree with that assessment.

Turner’s offense is coming along, and should see an uptick without Paul George in Indiana this season. Last year the energetic big man posted 14.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.9 steals and 2.1 blocks in 31.4 minutes per game. With more touches to go around, this should be a good scoring year for Turner.

Although many general NBA fans may not care about the Indiana Pacers right now, this is going to be a huge season for Myles Turner. Without an especially promising young player beside him, Turner is essentially the franchise player in Indiana. Watching him respond to that burden should be fascinating.

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