Indiana Pacers: 5 reasons they won't make the playoffs in 2017-18

Indiana Pacers: 5 reasons they won’t make the playoffs in 2017-18

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JULY 28: TJ Leaf #22, Lance Stephenson #1, Ike Anigbogu #15, Glenn Robinson III #40 and Myles Turner #33 of theIndiana Pacers participate in an outdoor fanfest on July 28, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and condition of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images /

3. The Pacers have a new, very young leader

Team leadership is very important in the NBA; most highly successful teams have a strong leader who has been through the NBA playoff wars and prospered.

The sharing of leadership responsibilities could be a developing theme for the 2017-18 Pacers, but initially, third-year center Myles Turner has enthusiastically volunteered to fill the void left by the trade of Paul George to the Thunder.

Turner is a very good young player who is blossoming into a potential All-Star, and he also possesses the kind of attitude and personality that should make him a good team leader.

The problem is that Myles Turner has only two years of NBA experience, which includes 11 total playoff games (with no playoff appearances beyond the first round).

Turner is also a 21-year-old who will have to lead some older and more mature players, which is a lot to ask. There is also the issue of how those players will respond to Turner’s encouragement and leadership when times are tough.

Some are calling this the Myles Turner Era, and it could be just that. However, a team that has a leader as young and inexperienced as Turner is very likely to finish out of the playoff hunt come April.

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