Bird on Myles Turner: "He's probably the best shooter on the team"

[Scoot McGroot]

http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/columnists/gregg-doyel/2015/09/29/doyel-pacers-rookie-myles-turner-better-than-we-think/72989202/

Granted it's Doyel, so in terms of true breaking news kind of stuff, it's probably a bit hyper-exaggerated (remember, Doyel is a feature writer by trade, not a true beat guy), but certainly encouraging.

In addition to Bird gushing about Turner's shooting, and all the guys being confident about our "position-less" roster being top 3 in the East, here's some more on Turner that caught my eye.

"(Turner) has that LaMarcus Aldridge-type game, where he can step out to the perimeter and make jumpers," George was saying. "That's what makes LaMarcus so special. (Turner) has that kind of game."

Turner has heard that for awhile. When he was at Texas last season, Longhorns coach Rick Barnes would cue up video of Aldridge. That's who you play like, Barnes told him. That's who you can be.

Here's some background: Aldridge is 6-11, 240. Last season at Texas, Turner was 6-11, 238 — though he says he has added muscle and is weighing closer to 250 pounds now.

Aldridge played two seasons at Texas, Turner just one, but their freshman numbers are almost identical:

Aldridge in 2004-05: 9.9 points, 5.9 rebounds in 22.2 minutes.

Turner in 2014-15: 10.1 points, 6.5 rebounds in 22.2 minutes.

Interesting.

[Miller4ever]

Last time I remember Bird saying a guy was best on our team at something, he said Lance was the most talented guy on the roster.

He usually talks about rookies like we're not going to play them.

[pacers33]

An LMA type of player to pair with George would be ideal. If Turner's shooting ability translates to the NBA, we'll have a great one-two punch sooner rather than later.

[ThirtyOne]

I was extremely impressed by Myles' shooting in summer league. He has a knack for squaring up and his stroke looked smooth. The main thing I liked is that he shot well from all over the court, which is probably what Bird is seeing in camp. Hes gotta get stronger and grow into his body...but man...this guy is oozing with potential.

[pacers33granger]

Seems a bit of hyperbole, though we don't have a ton of great shooters on the team - George Hill, Miles, Bud, and Paul George (and probably Young too) are the only guys we'd really even want taking threes.

That said, Turner's potential really is through the roof. I don't thin we've ever seen someone with his kind of skillset before. It was just a perfect storm really that he fell to us.

[Brapman]

Pistons fan here:

I'm a BIG Myles Turner fan. He's got a chance to be outstanding. Now, that said, you guys have to be patient with him. No rookie big man (who isn't Shaq or Kareem) is going to come into the league and dominate his position. Most likely, he's a guy you hope continues to work his tail off and grow his game so he's one of the good centers in the league in a couple years. Indy's asking him to replace Hibbert and West and single handedly hold down the paint. That just isn't going to happen this season.

I thought he was one of the best players in summer league - as good as Towns. I like him better than Okafor, because Myles can defend the rim at a high level, and Okafor can't defend it at any level.

[ThirtyOne]

I dont think theres ever been an expectation that Myles will be holding down the paint for us this year. All the talk from Bird/Vogel seems to praise his potential but I get the feeling they are not putting any pressure on him to be "the guy". Most Pacer fans know hes a couple years away and that he absolutely needs to get stronger. Hell get pushed around this season but the frame is there for him to pack on some muscle.

PG13 and Mahinmi is our projected starting frontcourt and Jordan Hill + Lavoy Allen will get minutes. Myles will not be thrown into the lions den.