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Indiana Pacers: Grading The Offseason

By Gerald Bourguet

January 4, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert (55) controls the ball against Los Angeles Lakers center Jordan Hill (27) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
January 4, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert (55) controls the ball against Los Angeles Lakers center Jordan Hill (27) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Indiana Pacers
Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Myles Turner (Texas) greets NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number eleven overall pick to the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

The Draft

To be completely honest, I like the Myles Turner pick. He’s an elite shot-blocker with tons of potential, but he can also spread the floor with an effective midrange jumper. If he pans out, he’ll be an absolute steal at No. 11 in the draft.

It’s just ironic that after talking about going smaller and playing at a faster pace, Larry Bird’s first move in the 2015 NBA Draft was selecting a big whose mobility has been his biggest red flag.

Irony aside, however, Turner could pan out as one of the best players — and easily one of the best defenders — in this year’s draft class. At 6’11” and with a 7’4″ wingspan, Turner has the physical tools to make it in this league, even with his awkward running style. He’s a smart player who might be able to play the 4 or the 5 as a stretch big and even better, he’s only 19.

In his only season at Texas, Turner averaged 10.1 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game. In three games of NBA Summer League action, Turner was an absolute stud, averaging 18.7 points, 8.3 rebounds and a jaw-dropping 4.6 blocks per game in Orlando.

He also shot 60.5 percent from the floor and made two of his three three-point attempts. Summer League is Summer League, but Turner certainly let any concerned Pacers fans know he means business.

In the second round, Indiana made another good pick, taking Oregon’s Joseph Young at No. 43, adding a capable scorer who will be ready to contribute off the bench in his first season. Mighty Joe Young lit it up in Orlando as well, averaging 22.5 points per game on 50.8 percent shooting (45 percent from three-point range).

There are concerns about Turner’s gait and the potential for injury that comes with it, but according to Sam Vecenie of CBS Sports, he’s been working to improve his running stride. If he can avoid injury, Turner has the potential to be a very good player in this league. Between Turner’s upside and Young’s NBA readiness, the Pacers did well in this year’s draft.

Grade: A-

Next: Pacers Have It All

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