Myles Turner on Bucks media day
Myles Turner addresses the Milwaukee media for the first time.
Myles Turner signed with the Milwaukee Bucks after spending 10 seasons with the Indiana Pacers.Teammates like Bobby Portis and Giannis Antetokounmpo are excited about Turner’s versatility and fit with the team.Head coach Doc Rivers plans to utilize Turner’s floor-stretching ability, shot-blocking, and passing skills.
Myles Turner is embracing his change of scenery.
After 10 seasons with the Indiana Pacers as a sweet-shooting, rim-protecting center, the 6-foot-11 Turner made a seismic move by signing a free-agent deal with the Milwaukee Bucks in July.
Turner has gone all-in on new experiences. He had a social-media call-out for downtown food spots. He’s gone to a Green Bay Packers game. He’s thrown out the first pitch at American Family Field.
Turner also got to sport his new No. 3 Bucks jersey on Sept. 29 during the team’s media day at Fiserv Forum.
“It’s been dope,” Turner said. “First of all, coming here, the people have been so welcoming.
“That’s like the biggest thing. I’m comfortable walking around in public, and people are literally like ‘We’re so excited to have you. Welcome to the city.’ And embrace me. I think that’s something that’s really cool.
“Comes with being in the Midwest. Comes with being in a quote-unquote smaller market. I understand how loyal you guys are to y’all’s teams. I felt that. It’s been good energy here. I wanted to put myself out there. I think it’s very important. Coming here, I know it was a big move coming to get me. I wanted to reciprocate my appreciation.
“I was excited just to embrace that change. Embrace the new community and embrace new people.”
Bobby Portis sings praises of new frontcourt mate
As Turner walked off the interview dais, he ran into Bobby Portis as the fan favorite made his way to his own session.
“Bob-by! Bob-by!” Turner chanted like many fans have done at Fiserv.
Yup, it’s clear that Turner is a good fit with the Bucks’ roster.
“Shout out to Myles, too, by the way,” Portis said. “We had a lot of battles over the last two years. I think we played like 20-something times.”
Turner provides the same shooting and shot-blocking ability that Brook Lopez did in his seven seasons with the Bucks. But a key difference is that the 29-year-old Turner is eight years younger than Lopez, who signed with the Los Angeles Clippers in the summer.
“Myles is going to be a big addition to our team,” Portis said. “I think one of the things I like about him is that me, him and Giannis (Antetokounmpo) will be around 30 years old at the same time.
“We can grow together. We can get better together. Three big men that can do a lot of things with the basketball. A very versatile frontcourt. Those three bigs, you can’t really find three better bigs on another team.”
Bucks head coach Doc Rivers is excited about using Turner’s skills like the Pacers did on their way to the NBA Finals last season.
“Similar role, but doing more,” Rivers said. “His ability to stretch the floor, obviously, will stay the same. His three-point shooting, hopefully we can get him some more threes this year.
“I thought one of the things Myles has really grown into, he punishes switches. If you switch a guard on him, he’s going to go and put his head under the basket and punish you for it.
“I think that’s something we want to use. His ability to block shots, his ability on the other end to get offensive rebounds, we can increase a couple of those that’s good. Then I thought last year, they used him on the elbows more as a passer and facilitator. I think we can use him in that role as well.”
How does Myles Turner fit with Giannis Antetokounmpo?
Turner’s fit alongside Antetokounmpo is of the utmost importance to the Bucks.
“I’m very, very excited that he’s on the team,” Antetokounmpo said. “He’s one of the bigs that I feel like we can fit so well together.
“I think he gives our team so much depth. He’s one of the best bigs in the league. Can shoot it. Can take you off the dribble. Great defender. I’ve heard that he’s an unbelievable guy in the locker room. Very high-character guy.”
That’s why Bucks general manager Jon Horst made the bold move of waiving Damian Lillard and stretching Lillard’s massive salary to create the cap room to sign Turner.
“Myles bought in – and this really a credit to him – to the vision and idea of being with us and playing this way and playing with Giannis, really quickly,” Horst said. “And that’s how it came together really quickly.
“And the reason is he wants to win. At the end of the day, Myles really, really wants to win. He was right there on the verge of doing it. He tasted it and he wants that more than anything. He chose us for the opportunity to do that.”
Turner is ready to get to work. And to keep getting to know Milwaukee.
“One thing I’m doing now is embracing change,” Turner said. “Embracing this cool part of my career.
“I’m heading into my prime, I’m 29 years old and going into my 11th season. I’m in a city now that wants to celebrate me.”