Why the Bucks shouldn’t worry about Myles Turner’s scoring

The Milwaukee Bucks surprised NBA fans this offseason by waiving and extending future Hall of Fame point guard Damian Lillard. The move opened up the team’s financial situation enough to bring in a center/forward Miles Turner from the indiana pacers, a move that received mixed reviews by the basketball experts of the time.

But looking at Turner’s numbers through the first 10-plus games of the season, some (especially some salty Pacers fans) are questioning whether bringing him in was the right place for Giannis Antetokounmpo– led by Bucks. Looking at his stats, there’s at least some reason for pause: He’s averaging just 11.6 points per game so far, four points less than his 72-game average last year in Indianapolis.

But the Bucks would be unwise to panic about their big acquisition. And according to the words of the head coach Doc Riversall signs point to Milwaukee feeling very happy about what Turner brings to the team.

Myles Turner has time to turn into the Bucks’ second leading scorer

It is important to remember that we have only had 11 games since November 11th. Turner’s 11.6 points average, while not quite what he averaged over the past three seasons, is not far off his career high of 14 goals. With 71 games remaining in this NBA season, Turner could increase that number on the Milwaukee habitom.

And Rivers admitted his staff is still figuring out how best to unlock Turner’s potential in the system. Following the house win against the Chicago Bulls earlier this month, Turner was spectacular. He scored 23 points on 8-14 shooting, including 5-8 from distance. He also grabbed eight rebounds and finished with four steals and a block.

“I think we kind of screwed him over,” Rivers said after that contest. He said that to start the season, the coaching staff asked Turner to “pop more” off screens. That suggestion may have inadvertently made Turner play against his instincts.

Rivers continued: “This morning (before the Bulls game), we said, ‘Just do what you feel. Hit it, pop, we’ll figure it out. Just do it.’

With plenty of time and practice, it wouldn’t be a stretch to envision Turner having more games like he did against Chicago, especially if Antetokounmpo continues his current MVP-caliber pace (33.4 PPG, 11.9 RPG, 6.2 APG).

Turners brings more to Milwaukee than just scoring

Since scoring 23 points, Turner has approached his career average over the next two contests. He scored 13 (6-11 shooting, 1-3 from three) in a a home loss to the Houston Rockets. The next day in Dallas, he posted 14 (3-12 shooting, 1-7 from three) in the win against the Mavericks. He pulled down six and seven rebounds, respectively, and added three steals against the Rockets.

Before the Houston game, Rivers noted that his value extends much deeper than his ability to score in bunches.

“He just does everything,” Rivers said. “He took a shot the other night, and he’s going to take more shots.”

The Milwaukee coach noted offhandedly that Turner’s shooting night isn’t stressful. “He didn’t shoot the ball great (during the season), but he will. I’m not worried about that.”

Instead, Rivers and the staff figured out how to take advantage of Turner’s high basketball IQ and ability to set up other players on the team.

“Defensively, he was incredible,” Rivers added. “He’s also been the most unselfish player on our team. Shooters usually don’t go out of their way to give another shooter a chance. He does that all the time. That’s one of the reasons our spacing has been so good, because he’s so intelligent.”

So while Turner’s statistical production so far hasn’t screamed “blockbuster signing,” there’s plenty of season left and reason to believe the Bucks can get the most out of the versatile big man.