Perfect space-type inside line, Warriors fans are so greedy

In the 2024-25 NBA playoffs, the Indiana Pacers defeated the Bucks and Cavaliers in a dark horse manner, thus advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals again. This seemingly "civilian" team was able to rise, in addition to Halliburton's strength, and also benefited from a low-key "one city, one person" representative - center Miles Turner.

Turner joined the Pacers as the No. 11 pick in the first round in 2015, and stayed for ten years. During this period, he has experienced multiple generations of core changes such as George, Oladipo, Sabonis, etc., but has never been traded. This season's regular season, he averaged 15.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 2.0 blocks per game, with a three-point shooting percentage of 39.6%, firmly sitting in the league's top space-type No. 5 position. He went further in the playoffs, averaging 16.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 2.5 blocks per game, and his three-point shooting percentage soared to 45.0%. He led the block list with a fault and even developed a ball-holding offensive skill package, which is indeed a double tower for the Cavaliers.

The rise of the Pacers is closely related to Turner's evolution. He averaged 2.2 blocks per game against the Bucks, building a no-fly zone in the inside. Against the Cavaliers, he averaged 2.8 blocks per game, made 9 of 16 three-pointers, transferring opponent center Allen from the penalty area. What's even more amazing is that his real shooting percentage in the playoffs is as high as 64.3%, an increase of 3 percentage points from the regular season.

Turner's contract is more cost-effective, with an annual salary of only $19.93 million this season, but he has performed comparable to the maximum salary insider. In contrast, the Warriors, Zhu Meng Green's annual salary is 24.16 million yuan, and his three-point shooting percentage in the playoffs is 27.8%, and he averages only 9 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.5 steals and 1 block per game, but he still has 3 turnovers and 3.6 fouls. Compared with the two, no wonder Warriors fans say bluntly on social media every offseason that Turner, who goes to trade the Pacers, has three points and defense.

Ko Turner has rumors of being sent away every offseason, but now he still plays with the Pacers, and has helped the team reach the division finals many times.

In my opinion, Turner has indeed shown the way his personal talent should be and is worthy of his draft pick. When the small ball era was just emerging, he seized the opportunity to practice three-pointers and changed his shooting posture from "sniper throwing" to "standard posture". Now the three-point shooting accounted for a large proportion, which is even more ruthless than some defenders. What's even more amazing is that he did not lose his special skills - he blocked the table this season, and went directly to first place in the playoffs, vividly reflecting the four words "can shoot and defend".

The Pacers management is afraid that it wasn't a secret worship of the koi? The transactions of Turner are reported every year, but the more they fight, the more they become, the more they become, the more they become. On the other hand, the Warriors had the opportunity to exchange Wiseman for Turner, but they were unable to grasp it; now, Zhu Meng Green's three-point shooting was unstable, and Looney's rebounding was dependent on the sky. Such an inside line has been used for several seasons. Turner's inside line, which "does not occupy the ball, can open up space, and can also protect the frame", is simply tailor-made for Curry, but unfortunately the management does not do anything.

But then again, in addition to his own efforts, Turner's rise is indeed due to the small ball era. Blue-collar center wants to win a big contract? Either practice three points or become Jokic. Ben Simmons looked at him. He was also the No. 1 pick. You can't even understand the free throws. Are you embarrassed to get the maximum salary? What the Warriors management should do this summer is to look at the trading market and find a reliable "space-type insider", otherwise Butler and Green would be too crowded to stay together in the frontcourt.

As for Turner, who is about to become a free agent, his value has increased and he cannot escape the big contract; if he helped the team reach the Eastern Conference Finals, do you think the Pacers management will let him go? There is no need to think about it.