Pregame Post-Ups: Turner Could Present Big Problems for C’s

BOSTON – There’s no question that four-time All-Star Paul George will be receiving a lot of attention from the Boston Celtics tonight when they host the Indiana Pacers.

Indiana does, however, have another star-in-the making that Boston must keep an eye on as well.

Second-year center Myles Turner is exactly the type of player that is capable of giving Boston fits in the paint. He’s a big, physical guy who has the ability of going back-to-the-basket, but he can also spot up from beyond the arc.

On defense, the 6-foot-11 20-year-old is an absolute menace, and is proving to be one of the top rim protectors in the league. He’s currently averaging 2.1 blocks per game, which is fourth in the league behind Rudy Gobert, Anthony Davis and Hassan Whiteside.

“He’s going to be an excellent player,” Brad Stevens said tonight ahead of the 7:30 p.m. tip-off. “I think that his ability to protect the rim on defense, his ability to create havoc on that end of the floor with his length and his size and anticipation in his effort, and then his ability to space the floor along with rolling to the rim and finishing is really impressive for a guy his age.”

Stevens and the Celtics are quite familiar with the obstacles Turner brings to the table. During the teams’ first matchup on Nov. 9 in Indiana, the big man went off for 17 points, eight rebounds, a career-high four steals and three blocks.

Turner’s versatility at the 5 position is what makes him so unique. There aren’t many centers in this league that can play traditionally and can also stretch the floor.

“It’s a very important position in the NBA now,” Pacers coach Nate McMillan said this afternoon after Pacers’ shootaround at TD Garden. “The 5 position was a guy that normally played in the paint; he’d post up and he had to defend in the paint. Now that guy is handling the ball, he’s out on the perimeter, he’s defending a ton of pick-and-rolls, he’s making reads in the pick-and-roll game, and it’s a different challenge for 5 men.”

Turner brings a balanced combination of traditional center traits, as well as the skill set of a modernized big man. At 20 years old, he may not have a ton of experience under his belt, but his skills and potential are gaining him recognition around the league, and the Celtics know they can’t afford to overlook him tonight.

- Taylor C. Snow