FanPost

Diagnosing Evan Turner



Everyone can agree that Evan Turner has struggled through the early stages of his rookie campaign.  Becasue of this, many have been quick to label him a bust.  Others stand by his side and preach patience.  He is an unemotional diagnosis of our 2nd overall pick.

His Main Struggles:

FAILING TO ATTACK THE RIM:  With the ball in his hands, quite often it appears that taking the ball to the rack off the dribble doesnt even cross his mind.  HOWEVER, one can't ignore the fact that RANDOMLY throughout the game he will in fact display a series of dribble moves and create some space for a pull up jumper or indeed take the ball to the basket. 

FAILURE TO FINISH WHEN AT THE RIM: The occasional times Turner attacks the basket have often times been greeted with failure.  This has come route by both blocked shots and missed layups.  The problem is, this difficulty of finishing almost always deters Turner from continuing his aggressive takes to the basket.  (we all know the end result---passing the ball immediatly after catching it as if he's lived a deprived childhood and he just learned about the game of hot potato)  However, strength and a floater can be developed in the offseason.  These should help with his problem of finishing.

INABILITY TO KNOCK DOWN SHOTS:  Most of his shots have been catch and shoot situations.  I know many people are tired of the excuses being thrown his way.  However, there are big adjustments that need to be made when a player controls the flow of the game with the ball in his hands.  A big difference is that off the ball, most shots come in the form of catch and shoot situations where as with the ball in your hands these shots come off the dribble.  In that sense, being a catch and shoot guy is something Turner is not familiar or comfortable with at this point.  This is clear when focusing on how rushed Turner is when he shoots these shots.  Even his shots off the dribble appear to be rushed.  The scouting report on Turner coming into the draft was that he is a good shooter, especially in the mid range area.  His shots will start to fall. 

*The reoccuring theme is mental toughness.  He should be mentally tough enough to not let a few failed attemps stop him from attacking the basket.  He should be mentally tough enough never to doubt his talents.  He shouldnt let a few missed shots put him in a dismal shooting slump.  HIs lack of mental toughness is why he will NEVER be a superstar player.  However, the talent is definatly there.  He has proved in college that he is a good shooter.  This is something that does not disapear.  He shows signs of being able to get to the basket when he wishes.  The problem is finishing once there.  This is something that can be worked on.  The talent is there folks. 

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