Myles Turner hitting "Sophomore Slump"

[PetPaima]

His numbers for February have been meagre to say the least...

Scoring at season-low, rebounding at season-low

Shooting .400 / .214 from 3-point range which both are some 15 points below his season averages...

Are we about to see Myles hitting the slump due to not being ready for the workload he has been asked to carry? Remember, he has already played 200 more minutes than he did whole last season...

I am not worried about Myles the basketball player - not the least. A somewhat non-physical big man at the age of 20 is most understandably not yet developed to carry the load of 82-game NBA season of heavy minutes at the Center position. Getting worn and fading is natural and in no way diminish what he will be able to achieve for us in many seasons to come.


But if Turner's production falls to WARP Zero -levels, how the heck are we going to actually remain competitive. Then we are haphazard collection of hit-and-misses with a fully mortal big two. Time to notch down expectations?

[Ant]

Re: Myles Turner hitting "Sophomore Slump"

Eh, were only 10 days into the month and Myles has been battling Bronchitis. I think he's gonna be just fine. What i am sick of is him getting only 9,10 shots or so throughout a bunch of games. Get this guy some more looks at the hoop, he's got to be more involved offensively, I dont care how young he is. He's probably the teams best shooter and our 2nd most talented scorer. Get this man some more freaking shots!! Geez

[PetPaima]

Re: Myles Turner hitting "Sophomore Slump"

Forgot the bronchitis...

Hopefully it is just that. But am I really criticising him if I take he have to carry unfair workload too young?

[D-BONE]

Re: Myles Turner hitting "Sophomore Slump"

His numbers for February have been meagre to say the least...

Scoring at season-low, rebounding at season-low

Shooting .400 / .214 from 3-point range which both are some 15 points below his season averages...

Are we about to see Myles hitting the slump due to not being ready for the workload he has been asked to carry? Remember, he has already played 200 more minutes than he did whole last season...

I am not worried about Myles the basketball player - not the least. A somewhat non-physical big man at the age of 20 is most understandably not yet developed to carry the load of 82-game NBA season of heavy minutes at the Center position. Getting worn and fading is natural and in no way diminish what he will be able to achieve for us in many seasons to come.


But if Turner's production falls to WARP Zero -levels, how the heck are we going to actually remain competitive. Then we are haphazard collection of hit-and-misses with a fully mortal big two. Time to notch down expectations?

We'll be in trouble if he doesn't break out of it. Then you credit Bird/Pritchard for not giving us another capable, dependable big for the roster.

[D-BONE]

Re: Myles Turner hitting "Sophomore Slump"

Eh, were only 10 days into the month and Myles has been battling Bronchitis. I think he's gonna be just fine. What i am sick of is him getting only 9,10 shots or so throughout a bunch of games. Get this guy some more looks at the hoop, he's got to be more involved offensively, I dont care how young he is. He's probably the teams best shooter and our 2nd most talented scorer. Get this man some more freaking shots!! Geez

Great point. I constantly find myself asking the same question. Why is it so hard to make sure he consistently gets more shots?

[BillS]

Re: Myles Turner hitting "Sophomore Slump"

Great point. I constantly find myself asking the same question. Why is it so hard to make sure he consistently gets more shots?

Because teams know to block the passing lanes and we suck at forcing it to him? Also because he tends to touch the ball early about 12 feet from the basket and passes it off as part of ball movement rather than taking the quick shot?

[Cousy47]

Re: Myles Turner hitting "Sophomore Slump"

Because teams know to block the passing lanes and we suck at forcing it to him? Also because he tends to touch the ball early about 12 feet from the basket and passes it off as part of ball movement rather than taking the quick shot?

This may very well be the answer to that question. Next question is why does he pass it off? If Myles is the best shooter on the team and we are getting him the ball within 12 feet or so, why isn't he being told to take the shot? Make the defense force him to pass the ball. Quicker pace, best shooter, good shot, what am I missing?

[D-BONE]

Re: Myles Turner hitting "Sophomore Slump"

Myles is hitting a wall. Due to the thumb/hand injury last year, I think he averted hitting that wall. He basically had a nice vacation during the year. Now he's getting the true grind of his first full season.

[imawhat]

Re: Myles Turner hitting "Sophomore Slump"

My lesson is struggling right now, for sure. I'm not sure what it is, but I suspect he'll come out of it soon.

[Downtown Bang!]

Re: Myles Turner hitting "Sophomore Slump"

Really nothing to do with the recent slump but am I the only one who thinks Myles worries too much about people closing out on his mid-range jumper? I see him pull that shot down often when at his height and length he can could easily still get the shot off.

Next level stuff for a big man at his age & level of development for sure but when he learns to be a true triple threat off that elbow catch it will be fun to watch.

[pacers_heath]

Re: Myles Turner hitting "Sophomore Slump"

I think its just the bronchitis. Normally he is a high energy player and he has just looked unusually sluggish. That would probably explain it.

[3rdStrike]

Re: Myles Turner hitting "Sophomore Slump"

He'll be just fine after the all star break.

[PetPaima]

Re: Myles Turner hitting "Sophomore Slump"

Everybody still positive about this?

...and I'm still not blaming Myles - I just see it as a natural procession that a big man is not ready for 82-game NBA schedule at age of 20.

[Ragnar]

Re: Myles Turner hitting "Sophomore Slump"

I think he will break back through before the season is over.

[freddielewis14]

Re: Myles Turner hitting "Sophomore Slump"

This may very well be the answer to that question. Next question is why does he pass it off? If Myles is the best shooter on the team and we are getting him the ball within 12 feet or so, why isn't he being told to take the shot? Make the defense force him to pass the ball. Quicker pace, best shooter, good shot, what am I missing?

He shoots it if he's wide open or its late in the clock. Outside that he is afraid to do much else besides pass because he doesn't have confidence. When his 3 point shot was falling that filled that gap of not having any post moves, but Myles literally has no other move around the rim that doesn't involve going away from the rim to avoid contact, not high percentage shots.

Best bet this season is his 3 point shot starts to fall again (was 40% before February, last month shot 22%) because he's not going to develop a post game overnight.

Good thing is he can pass and shoot, so if he just get a little bit more aggressive around the rim and his shots starts to fall he is still a valuable offensive player.