Myles Turner has been a massive asset to the Milwaukee Bucks this season. Turner's raw numbers won't necessarily draw a lot of attention by itself, but what matters the most is how he has allowed Milwaukee to fully commit to a five-out system again with his athleticism and shooting brilliance.
Playing this kind of system is something the Bucks had been forced to give up in Brook Lopez's later years due to his declining athleticism. Lopez of course gave Milwaukee many years of elite rim protection and reliable shooting from beyond the arc, but his mobility gradually declined, which limited the Bucks in certain ways.
Turner brings much of the same shooting profile with far better athleticism, which lets Milwaukee blend some of their old and familiar concepts with more of a modern pace and flow. Myles helps to unlock certain things that were no longer possible with the 2025 version of Lopez, particularly in pick-and-roll or pick-and-pop actions.
Of course, this whole concept leads to wins for the Bucks primarily because of the brilliance of Giannis Antetokounmpo. But at the same time, it's also predicated on the fact that Turner can drag opposing bigs away from the rim with his shooting while being versatile enough to affect the game in a multitude of ways with his athleticism and high IQ.
Myles Turner's versatility has elevated the Milwaukee Bucks
It has been Myles' shot blocking ability and defensive intelligence that has helped keep Milwaukee alive on the defensive end of things while they're still establishing their identity. He's been able to cover for others' mistakes and direct traffic on the defensive end.
So the biggest difference between now and this time last year is that the Bucks are spacing the floor with somebody who can also rim run, switch much more frequently out on the perimeter, and finish at the rim in traffic. It's that kind of dual threat impact that forces defense to make uncomfortable decisions and often leaves opposing players rattled.
All in all, Turner was never meant to fit into the same role as Brooke Lopez. When he joined the team, the intention was always that he would add more mobility and defensive versatility while still offering some of the same lethal outside shooting that number 11 did.
And to this point, the payoff has been massive for Milwaukee. There's still a long way to go this season, but the Bucks' process in the frontcourt has certainly been simplified by the talent and fit of Myles Turner.