NBA: DeRozan, 10 Players Exceeding Expectations Early In 2016-17

NBA: 10 Players Exceeding Expectations Early In 2016-17

Nov 2, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz guard George Hill (3) reacts after a play in the fourth quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Utah Jazz defeated the Dallas Mavericks 97-81. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /

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Oct 26, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) dunks against the Dallas Mavericks at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats Dallas 130-121 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

10. Myles Turner

I know we said no young stars on the rise, but was anyone expecting Myles Turner to be one of those players this early into his NBA career? And was anyone expecting him to be this impressive and this important to the Indiana Pacers so soon?

Turner has come back down to earth since his 30-point, 16-rebound, 4-block performance in the Pacers’ season opener, but make no mistake about it: this second-year stud could be ready for the best season out of all sophomores not named Karl-Anthony Towns.

Averaging 17.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game through Indiana’s first five contests, Turner has quickly filled Ian Mahinmi‘s shoes as the team’s starting center. He still has a long way to go in his development, but the early returns reveal a talented stretch-big who doubles as the team’s dynamo shot-blocker.

Turner has only scored 20 points once since the season opener, and he’s only recorded double-digit rebounds in one game since then too. But if Indiana is going to sort out its early defensive issues, you can be guaranteed this 20-year-old blossoming star is going to play a part in doing so.