10 candidates to be first-time NBA All-Stars in 2018-19
9. Myles Turner, Indiana Pacers
Is this the year Myles Turner breaks out and becomes the monster Indiana Pacers fans have been fantasizing about since his standout second season? Since we’ve already included him on our list of potential breakout candidates and Most Improved Player candidates, we’re banking on it.
As an NBA sophomore, Turner put up a promising 14.5 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game. Last year, he took a step backward with the arrivals of Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis, watching his numbers shrink to 12.7 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game.
More. 10 young NBA players in need of a breakout 2018-19 season. light
The Pacers were the pleasant surprise team of the NBA last year, but now it’s pretty clear that their path to building on a 48-win season goes through improved chemistry, upgraded bench depth and most of all, Turner making the leap everyone’s been waiting on.
Oladipo’s presence might hold him back from All-Star consideration since he’s “the guy” for the Pacers now, but if Indiana pushes for the 3- or 4-seed and Turner explodes onto the scene? It’s not impossible either.