Myles Turner discusses being drafted by Larry Bird on Theo Pinson's Run Your Race podcast
Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner joined NBA guard Theo Pinson for a long conversation on Pinson's Run Your Race podcast on the Tidal League network.
The two chatted for nearly 90 minutes, and they covered a lot of ground. Run Your Race typically walks through a player's basketball journey from start to present day, so Turner discussed many of his important moments in the sport.
One of them was being drafted into the NBA, and the big man is still with the team that selected him. Indiana grabbed Turner with the 11th pick in the 2015 draft.
At the time, the Pacers lead executive was legendary player Larry Bird. He was previously a coach with the franchise, but at that time he was in his second stint as the President of Basketball Operations. He ended up being the one to select Turner.
The Pacers big man shared with Pinson what it was like to be drafted by Bird and what their relationship is like. "People don't realize how big he is bro," Turner said, noting that Bird has an intimidating aura about him. Bird, of course, was a 12-time All-Star and is among the greatest players to be in the NBA.
The French Lick native took over in the front office back in 2003. He lasted in the role until 2017, taking one year off for health reasons in the early 2010s. He won executive of the year in 2012.
"He was just such a cool dude. So laid back," Turner shared. "But he is about his business. He's not into the [hokey] or social media. It's work. 'I drafted you for a reason'," he recalls Bird saying to him.
Bird stepped down in 2017, but he stuck around as an advisor. Recently, he showed up for a pre-draft workout, proving that he is still involved with the franchise and its decision makers.
Turner had more to say about Bird and being drafted by the blue and gold, but he first threw in a story about being underprepared for his introductory press conference because he didn't pack and went out the night before. He stayed focused at the presser. "Being around him, it made you lock in that much more... because you knew greatness was in the room," he said of Bird.
Being selected by somebody as accomplished ar Bird boosted Turner's confidence. It also put him in a position where he had to prove his value to make Bird look smart for picking him.
"I wanted to make sure I put in a return on his investment," Turner said. "It was dope to be in the presence of greatness like that and know that he saw the greatness in me."
Bird was the head coach of the Pacers from 1998-2000, some of the best years in franchise history. He is a legend in the NBA and in Indiana. The entire conversation between Pinson and Turner can be found here.
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