With one performance, Myles Turner justified Milwaukee's most controversial decision in years and showed why the Bucks were willing to move on from a superstar guard.
In Milwaukee's dominant 126-110 win against Chicago, Turner impressed with 23 points and 8 rebounds in 31 minutes. It wasn't so much his numbers but how he got them: by shooting 8-of-14 from the field and 5-of-8 from three-point range. Add to that his four steals and a block, and you have his most complete performance all season long.
That elite two-way dominance that completely changes what the Bucks can be is exactly what the Bucks couldn't get from Lillard.
Myles Turner showed the Bucks why letting go of Dame Time was the right move
For most of the season thus far, Turner's performances have either been offense-only or defense-only, but never quite put both parts of his game together quite like this one did.
When Turner's clicking like this, he raises the Bucks' ceiling on both ends drastically. The shooting opens up everything for Giannis offensively, forcing defenses to respect the three-point line and creating driving lanes that didn't exist with Damian Lillard. The rim protection anchors Milwaukee's defense in ways Dame never could.
Perhaps the biggest thing is that he complements Giannis more even if he's not a superstar. That's the crucial distinction Milwaukee's front office understood when they made the trade. Dame was the bigger name and better individual player, but Turner is the better fit for what makes Giannis unstoppable.
Five threes from your center while also getting four steals and protecting the rim is exactly the kind of modern big man excellence that wins championships. Turner stretched Chicago's defense to the breaking point while simultaneously erasing their attempts at the basket. That versatility is what separates good teams from great ones.
The Damian Lillard trade was painful for fans who loved having a second superstar and primary shot-creator. But as we all saw, Dame and Giannis never quite worked. They were two ball-dominant players whose games overlapped more than they complemented one another.
But just watch how much easier Giannis' life becomes when Turner is knocking down threes. Defenses can't pack the paint. Help rotations have to stay honest. Suddenly Giannis is attacking space instead of walls of defenders, and Milwaukee's offense becomes nearly impossible to stop.
The defensive side is where Turner really justifies the trade though. While he was far from a turnstile, Dame was clearly past his best years defensively and was getting hunted every possession. Turner is a legitimate anchor who can switch, protect the rim, and make plays on the perimeter. That two-way value is what championship teams are built on.
Milwaukee bet that fit matters more than star power. Turner's performance against Chicago proved them right. When he plays like this, with efficient scoring, elite shooting, and inside-outside defensive impact, the Bucks look like legitimate title contenders.
Dame might put up bigger numbers on another team, but Turner makes Milwaukee better. That's the difference between individual excellence and winning basketball.
The sacrifice was worth it. Performances like this remind everyone why.
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