In the modern NBA, the traditional “center” is a vanishing breed. The new era demands versatility, mobility, and the ability to stretch the floor—traits that Myles Turner has spent his career perfecting. Often described as a defensive anchor with a perimeter touch, Turner has long been the gold standard for the “hybrid” big man.
Recently, I caught up with Turner to discuss his basketball inspirations, his transition to a new system in Milwaukee, and the specific skills he admires in the league’s elite guards. From his League Pass favorites to the Dallas legends who shaped his footwork, Turner opened up about the evolution of his game.
Q&A With Myles Turner
Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson: The last time we talked on the record a couple of years ago, you told me that your favorite player to watch was Alperen Şengün on League Pass. Since then, who do you like watching?
Myles Turner: On League Pass now, I’m a huge Anthony Edwards fan. Outside of the big man room, I love watching Ant get down. He’s just a great player with so much character and confidence; it’s been fun watching his ascension from afar.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: It’s cool to hear a big man talk about a guard, but you’re a hybrid—an Escalade with Lamborghini doors. As a big, what guard skills do you look at and say, “Man, I wish I had more of that” when you look around the league?
Myles Turner: I think the biggest thing is being able to get downhill and finish. Guards are so creative in finding ways to use slow steps, “Pinoy” steps, or Euro steps—different ways of gathering body control to finish at the rim. That is a specific type of touch and coordination that is very hard to learn as a big.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Now that you’re in Milwaukee, what is the biggest adjustment—skill-wise or play-wise—playing here versus playing in Indiana?
Myles Turner: With my group last year, we were a very free-flowing team where the ball never stuck—it was a real “point-god” type of system. Here, you’re playing with a generational superstar. You have to be more calculated and pick your spots. It’s a different type of offense, so it has its challenges, but it also has its benefits. You get a lot more wide-open threes and more chances to create for others. It’s definitely a change of system.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: As a big man, who were three centers that you grew up watching and admired?
Myles Turner: When I look back at the guys who shaped my game, I always start with Dirk Nowitzki. Being from Dallas, I had a front-row seat to his greatness, and I just loved watching him work. He was the blueprint; he’s the one who truly redefined the position and showed the world what it meant to be a hybrid big man. He proved you didn’t have to stay in the paint to dominate.
I also spent a lot of time studying LaMarcus Aldridge. I was a huge fan of his face-up game and that signature mid-range touch—it was just so fluid and difficult to guard. And of course, I have to mention Chris Bosh. Being a Dallas native himself, he was someone I really looked up to. I enjoyed everything he gave to the game, especially the way he evolved his style to fit the modern era. All three of those guys really paved the way for players like me.
Wrapping Up
Whether he is anchoring the paint or stepping out to hit a clutch triple, Myles Turner remains a student of the game. His appreciation for the creative footwork of guards like Anthony Edwards, combined with a deep respect for the Dallas icons who preceded him, explains why he remains one of the most unique talents in the league today.
As he continues to settle into the Milwaukee system, Turner isn’t just adapting to a new team—he’s continuing the legacy of the hybrid bigs who changed the game forever.
