Even though he's only been with the Milwaukee Bucks for a short time, Myles Turner is already making a strong impression, and it has nothing to do with statistics. Speaking to reporters after a preseason victory against the Detroit Pistons, Bobby Portis expressed his surprise at Turner's communication skills during the early stages of his Bucks tenure and how much it will help the new-look squad.
"He’s just a good communicator. I didn’t know that Myles talked as much as he did, especially going against him so many years. The last couple years, we’ve played them like 20-some times, I feel like. But I didn’t know he talked as much as he does. I like his leadership off the court, too, talking to guys, keeping guys locked in. You need those things from all the veterans who’ve been in the league. And we’re such a young team, trying to teach guys on the fly how to win."
Myles Turner's impact goes way beyond the stat sheet
Portis couldn't have hit the nail on the head harder. With Milwaukee undergoing a youth movement in the summer, there are a handful of younger, more inexperienced players on the roster. It will be up to the "older" players like Myles Turner, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Portis to make sure everyone is on the same page on both sides of the basketball, which will help this team fire on all cylinders.
Turner was among the team's leaders during his lengthy tenure with the Indiana Pacers, but he will now have a chance to spread his wings further in that regard in Milwaukee.
Given his role on both sides of the ball, Turner's communication, in particular, will be essential to the Milwaukee Bucks' success. Offensively, he can score from anywhere, so he will constantly be on the move. Defensively, Milwaukee will use him like the Swiss Army Knife he is, defending both at the rim and out on the perimeter. Making his presence felt will be crucial.
Statistically, it has been a quiet preseason for Turner through two games. In 15.5 minutes on average, he's putting up six points, 1.5 blocks, and one rebound per game. Of course, this certainly isn't cause for concern, as Turner is still getting his feet wet in Milwaukee during these limited minutes. Despite a change of scenery, he has looked comfortable on the court in his new jersey.
It's clear that his versatile presence has already helped elevate the defense, and the rest of his game will catch up in due time.
The early returns on Myles Turner are certainly welcoming to the Milwaukee Bucks, and the hope is that this is just the beginning. The next step in the welcome process is to see how he performs on the court alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has been out of the lineup recovering from COVID-19. They could be the one-two punch that takes this team to the next level.
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