Indiana Pacers’ defensive stalwart Myles Turner, a towering force in the paint with two block titles under his belt, is setting his sights on the upcoming season with a clear vision for improvement.
In a recent interview on the esteemed Club 520 Podcast, Turner outlined his thoughts on what the Pacers need to do to elevate their game. “I think one, we’ve gotta be a better rebounding team, we’re still kind of small,” he emphasized, acknowledging a crucial aspect of their play that requires attention.
With the acquisition of former No. 2 pick James Wiseman, Turner sees a glimmer of hope in addressing their frontcourt deficiencies. “We just got James Wiseman, so that helps a bit, you know?,” Turner expressed, highlighting the potential impact of the towering 7-foot-1 center.
However, Turner also noted the need for further reinforcement in the frontcourt, especially off the bench. “I mean he’s like 7-foot-1. But outside of me, Isaiah Jackson was 6-foot-9, Jalen Smith at the time was 6-foot-9 (or) 6-foot-10… We just (need) to have more frontcourt presence,” he emphasized, recognizing the importance of bolstering their depth.
As the excitement builds for the 2024-25 season, all eyes are on Wiseman to see if he can finally make his mark in the league. Drafted with high expectations, Wiseman has yet to fully live up to the hype, with lingering doubts about his potential to deliver on his promise.
Entering his fourth season at just 23 years old, Wiseman’s career statistics tell a mixed tale of his journey so far. With averages of 9.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks per game in 147 appearances, Wiseman has shown flashes of brilliance but has yet to establish himself as a consistent force on the court.
While Wiseman has shown improvement in his physicality since transitioning to the Detroit Pistons, his on-court production has yet to match the numbers he put up with the Golden State Warriors. The question remains – will Wiseman seize the opportunity to blossom into the game-changing player many believed he could be, or will he fall short of expectations once again?
As the Pacers gear up for the new season, the addition of Wiseman brings hope for a brighter future, but only time will tell if he can rise to the challenge and help propel the team to new heights. With Turner’s leadership and Wiseman’s potential, the Pacers have the pieces in place to make a significant impact – now it’s up to them to make it happen on the court. Let the countdown to tip-off begin.
