Myles Turner heads into the Milwaukee Bucks’ preseason finale with a chance to flip the mood around his first year in town. After a rough opening season, the big man is set to start at center, and the matchup with the Indiana Pacers gives him a clean shot to finish the preseason with some traction.
There’s no shortage of pressure on Turner, even before the games count. He spent the past year drawing criticism, and that only raises the stakes for a strong showing against his old team. Last season, he seemed to carry extra edge whenever he faced the Pacers, and that same intensity should still be there, even in exhibition play.
If Turner puts together a solid night, it could give him exactly what he needs before the regular season opens. The formula is straightforward: protect the paint the way he did in his Pacers days, hit perimeter looks when they’re there, and clean up the glass. Do that better than he did a year ago, and Milwaukee is in far better shape.
He may not draw the spotlight the way Tyler Herro, Ryan Rollins, or potential soon-to-be Buck Peyton Watson do, but Turner’s role matters just as much. The Bucks are counting on him to open the season as their starting center and deliver production worthy of the sizable contract he’s carrying.
And it’s not just about numbers. Turner is also one of the older voices on a young roster, which puts him in a position to lead as well as produce. Kel'el Ware, his likely backup, should be staying close and absorbing whatever he can as Milwaukee gets ready to hand him what figures to be a major role.
That’s why Turner stands among the Bucks under the most pressure this season. The last year went sideways, but a new coach and a reshaped roster give him a fresh start. A strong preseason finale would be a good place to begin the turnaround.
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