Myles Turner was drafted No. 11 by the Pacers.
The Pacers have a long history, with 50 years as an NBA franchise that was preceded by nine seasons as part of the ABA. Numerous big men have been tasked with protecting their rim over those years, but only three will make the list here.
Here’s a closer look at the Pacers’ top five single-season blocks per game leaders:
Myles Turner – 2021, 3.4 BPG
Turner played 10 seasons in Indiana and is the franchise’s all-time blocks leader, so it may not come as a surprise to see him topping the list here. In 2021, he not only swatted what stands as a career high 3.4 blocks per game, but he also led the league in the category for the second time in his career. Turner would also average 12.6 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, and finish ninth in the league’s Defensive Player of the Year voting.
Jermaine O’Neal – 2001, 2.8 BPG
O’Neal was drafted out of high school by Portland, however, a move to Indiana led to a breakout that was just getting started in 2001. He was able to carve out a regular starting role in his first season with the Pacers, which allowed him to put up career-high numbers, like 12.9 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks per game. His 2.8 rejections were good for second-best in the league, and this would be the last season before O’Neal would compile six consecutive All-Star campaigns.
Myles Turner – 2019, 2.7 BPG
Turner reappears, thanks to his efforts from two seasons prior. Despite averaging 0.7 blocks less per game than he did in 2021, he still led the league in the category. At the time, it was a new career-high for the big man, and it helped him finish fifth in the Defensive Player of the Year voting. He also pulled down 7.2 rebounds and scored 13.3 points per game, thanks in part to 38.8% shooting from beyond the arc.
Jermaine O’Neal – 2007, 2.6 BPG
2007 would mark O’Neal’s final All-Star season, and his second-to-last with the Pacers. His 2.6 blocks this year were the second-best mark of his career, and would also place him third in the Association. He wasn’t just a force protecting the rim, but also attacking it, scoring 19.4 points per game and grabbing 9.6 rebounds. Unfortunately, injuries would significantly slow down O’Neal’s career after this campaign and would eventually lead to his trade to the Raptors a year later.
Roy Hibbert – 2013, 2.6 BPG
Hibbert had two All-Star seasons in his career, and they were sandwiched around his 2013 effort, where he swatted a career high 2.6 shots per game, which ranked fourth in the league. The 7-footer was selected 17th overall in the 2008 Draft, a pick the Pacers received from Toronto when they traded O’Neal. Hibbert would also average 11.9 points and 8.3 rebounds this season, and finish 10th in the league’s Defensive Player of the Year voting.
