Pacers center Myles Turner eyes All-Star, DPOY, All-Defensive honors (HoopsHype)
Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner joined host Michael Scotto on the latest edition of the HoopsHype podcast. Turner discussed his goals for this season, thoughts on his career so far, Rick Carlisle as a coach and person behind the scenes, Malcolm Brogdon’s extension, injury updates on Caris LeVert and TJ Warren, and Chris Duarte’s Rookie of the Year chances.
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Turner: I wanted to be more effective on the glass and use my height and stature to be a better rebounding big. My defense, I want to keep that amped up. I put a lot of work into my shot, as I always do, so I want to be an improved three-point shooter.
For the team, last year was the first time I missed the playoffs. I was hurt the last few games, but that just left a really bad taste in my mouth. Advancing in the playoffs is something that’s huge in my mind this year. We need to get back to being one of the top defensive teams. Coming into Indiana, people knew it was going to be a tough game, and people, I think, feared coming into the arena. We’ve got to get back to that. I feel like we don’t have that same sting that we used to.
I want to be an All-Star in this league. I think I have the talent. I think I’m capable of doing that. I want to continue to improve my numbers. Coming back as an All-Defensive snub and being a Defensive Player of the Year. I feel like I’m snubbed and haven’t gotten the credit I deserve in that department. I’ve led the league in blocks, and that looks good and all, but no All-Defensive Teams, not a lot of consideration for Defensive Player of the Year. That’s the type of stuff that individually I’m looking to get for myself.
