Myles Turner of the Indiana Pacers is a force on the hardwood – and an even bigger one outside of it. His special enthusiasm for Lego has really struck a chord. On a personal note, Turner values his 9,000-piece Lego Titanic replica, as it demonstrates his building craft. He imagines the Pacers as a franchise that stands for unequivocal, non negotiable integrity on and off the court. With the NBA Finals just around the corner, Turner’s approach to artistry and collaboration is sure to resonate with fans and players further.
Turner’s long-time love of Lego has already made for some amusing trolling from opponents. Despite occasional jabs about his hobby, he maintains a lighthearted demeanor and uses these moments to reflect on the nature of teamwork in basketball. He approaches team building like an artist. Integrity and collaboration — He constructs “one brick by one brick” to create a unit that displays the spirit of integrity and teamwork.
Mark Daigneault, head coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder, on where the Pacers are at their best as a cohesive unit. He continued, “When the whole is greater than the sum of the parts—that’s a hallmark of a great team, right there.” This comment serves to illustrate the basic tenet that powers each team’s philosophy. Turner believes that the Pacers’ style is a “new blueprint for the league,” emphasizing how they maintain consistent play regardless of the scoreline.
This is mostly due to how the Pacers have adopted their own distinct style of play. Jarrett Allen of the Cleveland Cavaliers calls it “farm-raised, non-GMO, organic, free-range, ethical basketball.” This portrayal belies an intense dedication to equitable competition and honoring the game. In fact, these principles match up almost one-to-one with Turner’s personal values.
As the Pacers get set to face the Thunder tomorrow, the basketball renaissance man’s artistry shines through. He describes himself as “sort of an artist,” concerned less with the musical notes of each player but how each step adds to the overall movement. His vision of creating a winning team culture shows his appreciation for both the value of each player and the power of teamwork.
Of course, there’s other aspects that make this team fun. Like Halliburton, Indianapolis’ other marquee player, Tyrese Haliburton, is a jokester. As someone widely regarded as one of hockey’s fun guys, he has earned an outsized reputation as one of the league’s more seasoned trolls. Following a series-clinching win, Haliburton playfully responded to Knicks superfan Ben Stiller on X, showcasing his ability to balance competitive spirit with lightheartedness.
For Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder’s very own diamond in the rough, it’s all about the connection on the court. We have formed an amazing chemistry off the court as a basketball team, as he once told us. “We’re almost attached at the hip no matter where we are. As the two teams head into rugged playoff wars, that bond is essential for each fiery squad.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s path to this moment was rocky. The real journey began with an early rejection — being cut from the junior varsity team. This was of course during his ninth-grade year in nearby Hamilton, Ontario. Instead, he just turned that disappointment into an even more potent fuel of determined improvement. For his year at the University of Kentucky, this city kid dove headfirst into studying agriculture.
By comparison, Turner’s path has been defined by his love of the game and of the building block. He admits that he’s a frequent target of mockery from opponents for his abiding passion for building complex models. Yet, he sees these moments as opportunities to reflect on his approach to the game and how it parallels his hobbies.
Turner passionately explained why he loves Lego to Turner, saying, “I want to be me and play like I played the game — that was my mentality. His quest for truth in the NBA is matched only by his pursuit to create complex Lego structures.
The best matchup of all may be the young Pacers taking on the young Thunder. It’s not simply a game, it’s a contest of ideas. Each squad represents a distinct style, based in collaboration and honor.
Daigneault spoke to their integrity and steadfastness, stating, “They don’t change their style of play, their system in January compared to May. Their integrity as people is in the way they carry themselves when they’re up 20 or down 20. This level of consistency makes both teams unique as they seek to make history in the Finals.
Fans are excitedly counting down the days to this heavyweight showdown on the high seas. Myles Turner and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are exceptional ambassadors, on the court and off of it. Their understanding of what it means to serve and fight for their teams and their communities speaks to a culture that is bigger than basketball.
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