Myles Turner: Center or PF?

[sterfry94]

I'm asking this because many people see a decent amount of LaMarcus Aldridge/Serge Ibaka in his game to where he could play power forward.

But fellow Pacers fans do you think he should stay at Center and be a rim protecting stretch 5? Or could he possibly play in the mold of Serge Ibaka and shoot 3's at a high clip on one end of the floor and block shots on the other?

Should he guard Centers on one end to protect the paint but play the 4 on offense?

I'm interested in hearing your thoughts.


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[Miller4ever]

In today's NBA, he's a "big". Most likely, he'll be the biggest one on the court for the Pacers when he's in there, but there may be some matchups where it makes sense for him to play alongside Lavoy or Ian or Jordan Hill.

[Scoot McGroot]

I'm asking this because many people see a decent amount of LaMarcus Aldridge/Serge Ibaka in his game to where he could play power forward.

But fellow Pacers fans do you think he should stay at Center and be a rim protecting stretch 5? Or could he possibly play in the mold of Serge Ibaka and shoot 3's at a high clip on one end of the floor and block shots on the other?

Should he guard Centers on one end to protect the paint but play the 4 on offense?

I'm interested in hearing your thoughts.


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In everything except for shooting the 3, he's a 5. In all likelihood, especially with Bird/Vogel really wanting athleticism and uptempo speed at the 4 with Paul George, Myles Turner is a 5. Because if he's the 4, he doesn't see the court over Paul George.

[boomershadow]

Though.... using him at the 4, which we probably wont do, would keep the 3 pointer/spacing aspect alive on offense even when matching up to teams playing bigger. Neither Lavoy or Hill are 3 point shooters.

But Vogel has said at the moment they are not emphasizing the 3pt part of his game and want him to focus on defense and the midrange game on offense.

[Scoot McGroot]

Though.... using him at the 4, which we probably wont do, would keep the 3 pointer/spacing aspect alive on offense even when matching up to teams playing bigger. Neither Lavoy or Hill are 3 point shooters.

Achieved the same with Turner at the 5 and Lavoy/Hill at the 4, their better fit of positions, respectively.

[Wizop]

He's a 5 on the second unit. If he earns time with the first unit, he'll likely be a 4 with PG sliding to the 3. We're told we're going big tonight against Chicago. how much time he gets at the 4 tonight should say a lot.

[glasket]

I think for now he will be the 5 on a regular basis. When we go big, he can be a 4 alongside Jordan Hill Or Mahinmi


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[No-Man]

He is clearly a Center, he is not mobile enough to play PF, he is a lot like LaFrentz

[Scoot McGroot]

He is clearly a Center, he is not mobile enough to play PF, he is a lot like LaFrentz

He's more mobile than LaFrentz, at least, the overall career LaFrentz. Raef did have his first 2 years or so where he was still mobile before the injuries caught up with him. But, I think Myles will rebound a lot better, and deflect a lot more shots overall. But, for a range shooting big man comparison, it's not an awful one.

[No-Man]

I agree that Turner ceiling is a tad higher, but LaFrentz without injuries would have been a really good player.

[Miller4ever]

Lafrentz was an underrated shotblocker. Myles will likely be a better rim protector, though, even without the block numbers.

[Scoot McGroot]

Lafrentz was an underrated shotblocker. Myles will likely be a better rim protector, though, even without the block numbers.

I wholeheartedly agree with both parts of this statement. Raef could block shots, but I don't think he affected many more shots than what he was able to block, while I think that Myles changes the way an offense attacks the rim much like Roy Hibbert did. If any of that makes sense.

I also agree that pre-injury Raef was much more athletic than people remember, but there wasn't much of a pre-injury NBA Raef to look back on.

[Skejcik]

I think Turner is more center than power forward but i would not be suprised if Vogel will use him also at 4. He's first season will not be great, but he get better year after year.

[Wizop]

He sat out the first game with a minor ankle injury and J Hill got most of the backup center minutes and there were more minutes than normal as Ian was in foul trouble. Well normal might not be the right word as Ian has always been a foul magnet. I thought J Hill underwhelmed. Have to wonder what they'll do tonight against Memphis as PG will probably not guard Z-Bo.

[Scoot McGroot]

He sat out the first game with a minor ankle injury and J Hill got most of the backup center minutes and there were more minutes than normal as Ian was in foul trouble. Well normal might not be the right word as Ian has always been a foul magnet. I thought J Hill underwhelmed. Have to wonder what they'll do tonight against Memphis as PG will probably not guard Z-Bo.

Very good question. I'd have to think that we'll see more combos of 2 of Mahinmi/Allen/JHill playing together more; Turner, too, if they feel better about his sprained ankle.

[EuroPacer]

Looking forward to seeing where the journey continues tonight, last night's game left plenty of question marks. I would compare Turner to Cauley-Stein at the Kings, don't know if you saw the game, but I thought he looked like a useful athletic body to throw on when Koufos and DMC needed a break. If Turner can develop a niche this year as a defensive big with the ability to run the court than he will turn out just fine. If he struggles defensively (he is still growing into that body) than Porzingis for the Knicks is beginning to look like a great 4 pick...

[Wizop]

Our first unit is still learning to play together and PG in particular is making poor decisions, but the Memphis game turned around when Turner cam into the game in the second quarter. He looks very good.

Ian Mahinmi transformed his body and his shot over the summer. Turner isn't going to go around him easily as a starting center. JHil got a lot of time last night as a four after playing mostly five against Toronto with Turner out. JHill hit some midrange shots at the four but continued to struggle with his inside shots.

[Wizop]

“He brought us great energy,” Vogel said of Turner. “He looked good on the offensive end. I was very pleased with his first performance. I think he can be potentially a four someday. But we’re simplifying it for him this year and keeping him a center.”