Myles Turner's Reaction to Pacers Tribute Speaks Volumes

Consequently, Turner had his own response to Indiana’s crowd when the boos began to rain down on him. 

As soon as the tribute video for Turner had concluded, he made the gesture of closing a book, implying that he is as done with Indiana as the fans are with him. 

After assuming the villain role that Turner did, he assuredly put pressure on himself to perform in front of the Indiana crowd. While it wasn’t his flashiest game (nine points and seven rebounds in 32 minutes), his impact was surely felt on the defensive end with his season-high five blocks. 

Why Was Turner Getting Booed?

After a full decade with the team that drafted him, Turner decided it was time for a change in the offseason. It can be assumed that most fans would not have blamed the 29-year-old for wanting a change of scenery; however, the timing and destination of the switch-up could have been executed better. 

The Pacers and Bucks are not the biggest fans of each other, to say the least. The two teams have met in the first round of the playoffs in each of the last two years, with Indiana winning both series. Tempers flared for a championship-aspiring Milwaukee team and a hungry Indiana team, therefore initiating an instant rivalry. 

Had Turner been traded somewhere, it would be a different story. Had he left in the offseason any year other than the one after the franchise made the NBA Finals, it would be a different story. But to leave the franchise to join a division rival right after beating them en route to an NBA Finals appearance may just validate the Indiana fans’ dislike for their former sweetheart.