Myles Turner bids farewell to Pacers and fans after 10 seasons in Indianapolis
"Saying goodbye is never easy, especially so abruptly. Together, we've experienced the highest of highs and some of the toughest lows..."
The Indiana Pacers played their first of five Summer League games Thursday in Las Vegas. It’s a team headlined by draft picks Johnny Furphy, Kam Jones, and Taelon Peter.
But more than those three, it’s the three players who were on two-way contracts last season: Quenton Jackson, RayJ Dennis, and Enrique Freeman.
That trio helped complete was a very Pacers-like showing. They got down big, trailed by 10 points at the end of the first quarter, erased a 15-point second-half deficit, and edged out the Summer Cavaliers for a 116-115 win.
Yes, even the Summer Pacers can't play normal games.
The two-ways combined for 69 points and 22 of their 28 made free throws.
And rookie summer league head coach Isaac Yacob was dosed in water after the win.
Furphy left the game after nine minutes after a blow to the face. (Click here for video) He returned to the bench in the second half and was apparently OK, but held out as a precaution.
Their next game is on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. ET, and it can be seen on NBA TV.
Click here for the full schedule.
Meanwhile, later in the day, Andrew Nembhard was sitting courtside at Thomas & Mack Center as his younger brother, Ryan, scored 21 points and had five assists to lead the Summer Mavericks to a win over the Lakers. Cooper Flagg and Bronny James got all the attention, and that was just fine for Nembhard — who is a pro.
“A winner” is how Andrew described him.
I wrote this feature on Ryan at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago.
Andrew, while joining the ESPN broadcast, was asked about the departure of center Myles Turner as well. I knew something was up when on June 30th, both sides were silent.
Nada.
No messages back.
Everyone on the team has remained quiet since then, so this was the first member of the roster addressing the surprise move by the 10-year veteran.
He was their starting center from back-to-back magical postseason runs.
“It was a little shocking when it first happened,” Nembhard said. “Obviously, I loved my time with Myles. It was great being his teammate. He’s done a lot for me, being one of the vets. Excited to see his success over there.”
A short while later, Turner posted a farewell message. For a player so active on social media. It had been 10 days since he agreed to join the Bucks and four days since he signed the contract to make it official.
As of this writing, Nembhard is his only teammate who has liked the post.
Turner posted the following note on Instagram — with the headline: “10 years. One jersey. One city.”
It's hard to put into words what the past 10 seasons and past 10 years of my life has meant to me... From a teenager out of Bedford Texas to the MAN and player I am today, Indy has been home through it all. You watched me grow up - on and off the court. Just like you I put my hard hat on clocked in & clocked out every single day...
Throughout the years I put my personal pride & ego to the side and sacrificed many parts of myself and my livelihood for the betterment and advancement of this organization. I NEVER took the easy way out, I took the criticism on the chin, bit my tongue to complain and just kept my head down and grinded through it all and in the end.... it was ALL so worth it!
It's the little things I'm going to miss the most... 21 year old Myles has to tip his cap to Tiki bobs, Kilroys, & Brothers - man even taking classes at invoke yoga downtown, rolling down Mass Ave for some good eats, getting out on Geist, hiking Eagle Creek park, Longs Bakery on the south side, morning walks down fountain square, going to prime 47 after the games with the fam, the special dinners at Hyde Park, the potholes all throughout the east side, the pumpkin patches & orchards on the farms up north... all of it.
Saying goodbye is never easy, especially so abruptly. Together, we've experienced the highest of highs and some of the toughest lows: from being a lottery team to Playoff battles, injuries, the bubble, and now...a finals run. All of it, the good and the bad has shaped me into who I am today and those memories can never be taken from us.
To Pacers fans - it's been an absolute privilege to play at Bankers Life/Gainbridge Fieldhouse... you've been loyal through it all. You packed the Fieldhouse, rocked with us on the road, lifted me when I needed it most, and held me accountable when I needed that too. Man... I've damn near spent more time with y'all than I've gotten to spend with my own family over the years. That's real love, and I can't thank you enough for embracing me from day one.
To the city of Indianapolis, thank you for pouring into me as a PERSON, not just a player. From giving back in the community alongside Turner's Block to crossing paths in the streets of Downtown, to the growth of W.A.R.M you made it feel like family. This city is special, the heart of basketball has and always will live in Indy.
To the 94 different teammates I've had coaches, trainers, and PSE staff members - thank you for being a part of my journey.
We've put in countless hours together and shared memories and moments I'll carry forever.
It's very rare you have the same strength coach, medical staff and player relations for a decade and I've made some friends for life far beyond this industry and that's truly special to me
This chapter is closing, but the respect and love I have for this city and its people is forever.
"Thank you Indy", from the bottom of my heart. I mean it when I say The 317 will always be home. And I've been proud to call myself a Hoosier! I hope you continue to embrace me as much as I've always embraced you!
See you soon.
First, I’m glad he did this.
He’s built a strong connection with the team and its fan base. He’s had a fan section since his sophomore season. There’s more to be written about his story — and his 10 years in Indianapolis.
In the meantime, this was a thoughtful note from a thoughtful guy.
One like that stood out to me was one he highlighted “I NEVER took the easy way out…” I don't think anyone ever said he did…
Turner was an unrestricted free agent for the first time, free to play wherever he wants. I think some within the team and the fan base, however, have a heard time with the decision because he chose the Bucks — a team they grew to dislike over their 20-plus game battles in the last two seasons.
Turner was headed to Las Vegas on Thursday with a press conference scheduled for his official introduction as a member of the Bucks.
Yeah… that’s going to sound odd for a while.
I read from one commentator that Pacer fans must be suffering from whiplash and that’s how I feel. Myles leaving hurts badly. While we’re down he moves on.
I am frustrated with pro athletes that move to different teams so they can play for more competitive teams. That’s the nature of the game and I don’t like it. I won’t cheer for Myles anymore.
But the question remains is.... WHY? It's like he sent a breakup letter with a "it's not you, it's me" vibe and still no good answer. If it's so good here, why leave?