Can Myles Turner Become the NBA’s Leading Shot-Blocker Soon?
Could Myles Turner soon be the NBA player most known for blocking shots? This question has attracted the attention of basketball fans and analysts. Turner, the Indiana Pacers’ center, has already established himself as a serious obstacle for any opponent attempting to score in the area near the basket. His skill at stopping shots makes us wonder if he could reach the pinnacle of that skill and become not just an elite shot-blocker but the elite shot-blocker.
The Evolution of Myles Turner’s Defensive Game
In 2015, the Indiana Pacers picked Myles Turner as the 11th overall selection to join the NBA. He came in a playoff team, over which he could grow. Partly as a result of that situation and partly owing to his skills and work ethic, he has developed into a reliable offensive player and a star defender.
Blocking shots is a thing of beauty when it is done well, and Myles Turner does it very well. For Turner, blocking shots is not just a matter of timing; it is also a matter of knowing when and where to place yourself on the court so that your upward arms can meet the downward-bound shots of your opponents in a collision usually deemed an unsavory outcome in basketball. In fact, when it comes to shot-blocking, Turner’s way is the highway—his skills are unmatched in the NBA.
- Defensive Win Shares: In 2021-2022, Turner registered 2.9 defensive win shares.
- Field Goal Percentage Allowed: He allowed shooters to make just 48.3% of their shots taken directly against him at the basket.
- Defensive Box Plus/Minus: Last season, his defensive BPM was +3.3.
Turner doesn’t just swat shots; he also affects opponents’ scoring chances in a big way. He’s like a Ray Lewis or a middle linebacker in the Red Zone. Disrupting the other team’s offense is what he’s paid to do. And he’s really good at it.
Can Myles Turner Become the NBA’s Leading Shot-Blocker Soon?
Whether Turner can rise to the very top of shot-blockers in the NBA is something we should judge by a few different measures. One is the very strong competition he faces for his current and future placement. Right now, and at least over the past season, Turner has been up against some very serious shot-blocker candidates. Among them is Rudy Gobert, a center with a reputation everywhere for defensive talent. Gobert led the NBA in blocks in the 2020-2021 season.
Additionally, how the game has changed over time matters a great deal. The current NBA places a premium on perimeter shooting. So, even the biggest players now frequently find themselves far away from the basket. But some big men adapt as well as any player to what the league demands. One case in point: Turner can defend against “stretch fours” (power forwards who can shoot) and still serve as a strong last line of defense against shooters, slashers, and big men who don’t just hang around the rim.
Assessing Turner’s health and durability is vital. He has dealt with an injury history that has restricted his availability. Since 2019, he has missed time due to various ailments, including a stress reaction in his foot during the 2021-2022 season that caused him to be sidelined for 41 games. If he can stay on the court, his odds of accumulating the most blocks in the league certainly increase.
Factors Influencing Shot-Blocking Success
Multiple factors affect whether Myles Turner can win the title of leading shot-blocker.
- Team Defense: Turner’s effectiveness also relates to his teammates’ defensive efforts. The cohesive unit that is Indiana’s defense allows Turner to have even more shot-blocking opportunities than he would otherwise.
- As teams continue to emphasize the importance of shooting the three-pointer, players are now driving to the basket more than ever. This creates a potential opportunity for shot-blocking—more plays around the rim that should lead to more blocks. My projection here is not entirely rooted in optimism for Turner, though, as much as it is a reflection of where NBA offenses seem to be headed.
- Coaching Methods: How well the coaching staff is able to use Turner’s strengths to the fullest will also determine how many shots he blocks.
In the swiftly moving world of the NBA, each possession is crucial. Therefore, defenders who can change directions quickly and not always in the same way have the upper hand. Myles Turner has revealed he can do this, adjust, and get better. Thus, he is a prime candidate for this top spot.
Conclusion: The Future of Myles Turner’s Defensive Career
Is it possible for Myles Turner to soon take on the title of the NBA’s leading shot-blocker? This question centers on several factors. We know beyond doubt that his talent is top-tier and that, when not healing from an injury, he can almost always be counted on to perform at a very high level as one of the league’s premier shot-blockers. Unfortunately, other shot-blockers, including Rudy Gobert and some of the other more recent big men to enter the league, make that honor somewhat difficult to achieve.
In addition, Turner has to keep working on his game and make the adaptations necessary to stay in line with the evolving landscape of the NBA. If he continues to develop his skills and stay healthy, a future in which he’s the leading shot-blocker in the league is well within reach. Whether or not he gets to that milestone is another question and hinges on him, for the most part.
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