INDIANAPOLIS -- With the new NBA season giving Indiana Pacers fans hope, it’s important to ask: What’s the team’s ceiling?
You know what you’re getting out of forward Paul George – a bonafide superstar.
But the rest of the roster? It’s hard to say.
A lot of the team’s success this season will depend on the development of center Myles Turner. Turner was a 19-year-old rookie last season, learning his way around the league. This season, many are picking Turner to be the NBA’s Most Improved Player.
ESPN.com writer Zach Lowe tagged Turner as one of the players to watch in the NBA this season, saying he “has the versatility on offense to be an All-Star who warps the geometry of the floor.”
Turner averaged 10.3 points and 5.5 rebounds last season. The key for Turner this season will be his defense.
The team lost center Ian Mahinmi to Washington, who was one of the better defenders on the team.
Indiana added point guard Jeff Teague and traded away George Hill. Teague, like George is a local product. He went to Pike High School in Indianapolis.
Indiana also added center Al Jefferson and forward Thad Young. Jefferson and Young are NBA veterans. Jefferson is in his 13th season, Young his 10th.
But will all the new changes be enough to improve this team, which won 45 games last season?
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It’s a heck of a longshot to believe the Pacers can challenge the Golden State Warriors or the Cleveland Cavaliers for the NBA finals.
“It’s tough to call,” Young said about this season. “But I think we can be very, very good. … I just want to go out there and play. That’s the biggest thing. Things will fall in place.”
But if the team’s young players improve, and the new veterans bring what the team needs, it should at least be a fun season to watch for Pacers fans.
The team opens its schedule Wednesday night against the Mavericks.
