The Athletic's Sam Vecenie loves what he's witnessed from Myles Turner in a Milwaukee Bucks jersey. It's a small sample size, but the big man has fit like a glove with his new squad, seemingly playing with a new sense of purpose after changing teams this summer. On a recent episode of the Game Theory Podcast, Vecenie heaped praise on Turner's hot start, particularly defensively.
"This is the best he's looked in three years to me. Just point blank. He looks more athletic and active. I think he's moving better... From 2019 to 2021, I thought he was pretty clearly one of the top 10 defenders in the league. He's kind of back to that right now."
The Bucks have a rejuvenated Myles Turner
There is no clear-cut reason behind Turner's resurgence. Perhaps being spurned by the Pacers has ignited a fire beneath him. Vecenie mentioned that the big man had been dealing with an injury last season and is now healthy. Perhaps playing alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, another all-world defender, has awakened something within in. No matter what, the Milwaukee Bucks will take it.
Turner is currently tied for second in the NBA in blocks with 11. Averaging 2.2 per game on the year, the big man has helped replicate the shot-blocking excellence that Brook Lopez brought to the table for countless years, but he's added more to it. Not only can Turner defend inside, but he's also held up well on the perimeter, defending in space, something Lopez struggled with.
That athleticism has added a whole new element to this Milwaukee defense. Rather than constantly being stuck in drop coverage, Turner, along with Milwaukee's cache of perimeter defenders, can play more versatile, switchable styles of defense. In today's NBA, that is essential. The Bucks are ninth in the NBA in defensive rating, and that number will only climb if they keep playing like this.
If he keeps playing like this, Myles Turner will be a shoo-in for his first All-Defense honor this season.
Milwaukee needed to get more athletic this past offseason, which is precisely why they gladly made the decision to waive and stretch Damian Lillard. While many questioned the move, it made sense to anyone who had watched the Bucks the previous season and seen how badly a lack of mobility and athleticism hindered the team. When Turner became attainable, Milwaukee rightfully pounced.
While Turner has been a valuable piece to this team, he still has another level to reach. The big man is yet to find his footing offensively, averaging just 10 points while shooting 38 percent from the floor, including just 26.8 percent from 3-point range. Once he can bump those numbers up, his two-way ceiling with the Milwaukee Bucks will be limitless.
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