Player Preview: Evan Turner
by Jordan Sams on Sep 15, 2010 11:12 AM PDT
in Philadelphia 76ers Player Profiles
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PrintEvan Turner will be -- by far -- be the most difficult player to accurately preview. Unlike the other 13 guys, I haven't watched The Villain play 80+ NBA games and I barely have any statistics at my disposal. I'll do my best after the jump.
Past Previews:
Click here for the grading system used.
Current (Grade:6)
Turner's summer league performance affected peoples' opinion of him way more than is being led on. Whether people truly believe his performance in Orlando is indicative of his talent, or whether peoples' opinion of him is being swayed subconsciously because of how terrible he looked, expectations have clearly been lowered.
It's human nature to overvalue a last impression, but here are three valid reasons other than screaming it's freakin' summer league that you shouldn't worry about Turner.
He stood out at USA Basketball Junior National Teams Tryouts
Kevin Durant struggled during summer league
That's right, the man being advertised as "the best basketball player in the world" by some, after leading Team USA to a gold in the FIBA world championships struggled in the summer league. According to the link above Kevin Durant scored 0.731 points per shot during his rookie year in the summer league. That's flat-out awful. In comparison, Turner averaged 1.2 points per shot. Durant also averaged only 2 rebounds per game.
In no way am I comparing Turner to Durant as players, but they were similarly criticized during the summer league. Both were expected to dominate and neither did.
Potential (Grade:8.5)
Turner's potential falls somewhere between an All-Star caliber player and a superstar, much like the player he's often compared to, Brandon Roy. And I'd be thrilled if Turner reached that potential because I don't think he'll ever be a full-blown superstar.
One Stat You Should Know
Technically this isn't a stat, but Evan Turner had similar measurables to Andre Iguodala at the combine.
No-step Vertical
Max Vertical
Bench Press
Lane Agility
3/4 Court Sprint
Turner
27.5
34.5
9
11.06
3.27
Iguodala
30.5
34.5
4
11.17
3.18
Interesting because one is considered a slouch athletically and the other is considered a freak.
Outlook
Turner will have his growing pains, but he'll survive by contributing in various ways. He can assume the role of go-to scorer or primary creator in the half-court. He can rebound and defend. And he can work on moving without the ball and allowing Holiday and/or Iguodala create offense for him.
Like most Sixers I'm interested in Turner's development under Collins. Collins isn't the greatest coach of all-time, but his teaching ability and ability to maximize players' potential are among the best.
My hope is that Turner takes on the role go-to scorer, allowing Iguodala to play to his strengths.
Up next: Jodie Meeks
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So are you looking for Turner to look for his shot right away? Do you want him to try to lead the team in scoring?
It will be interesting to see what role he steps into right away. If he has the boldness to demand the ball on offense from day 1, more power to him, but I don’t think that is the kind of player he is.
He scored 20 points last season in college but he was helped by using the third highest amount of possesions at 34.7 (in all D-1). There is obviously no way he sees that kind of usage this season and should see a drop in his production. His eFG% and TS% are average and his 3 point shooting was poor. Plus, now he has to deal with a farther line, making it imperative he can get to the rim.
By all means, though, if Turner can take on the role of scorer (with Holliday to help), leaving Iguodala to do what he did with Team USA, that has the makings of a nice threesome.
Turner has a better offensive skill-set than both Holiday and Iguodala and I think Collins will use him accordingly, at least as the season goes on. I could see him having a higher usage rate than both.
And I wouldn’t call his eFG% and TS% average.
by Jordan Sams on Sep 15, 2010 12:31 PM PDT up reply actions
“a better offensive skill set” OMFG. I doubt if he’ll even start. Collins will put him through a lot before he gets a starting spot. He hasn’t done anything in the NBA, and what he could do in College may or may not work. He’s an unproven talent without any specific niche, a wing player when we already have Thad Young, Andre Iguodala, and so on. If he’s a 2 guard, he can beat out Jodie and Willie, but Lou is probably a better all-around player.
I’m going to keep an open mind, but Turner is going to have to demonstrate in training camp that he’s ready for the NBA.
You honestly think EVAN TURNER won’t start? The 2nd overall pick in the draft and a BEAST in College that swept all of the National Player of the year awards. He’s gonna LEAD this team by the end of the season and he’s basically already the face of the Sixers by him being advertised and shown off in the commercials and all
"Shoutout to Lebron, d-Wade, Joe Johnson, and chris bosh for trying to create a NBA2k team. Lol. (they would win 80 games)" - Louis Williams
by LouWilliamsMVP on Sep 16, 2010 1:14 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah, his eFG% and TS% stands up better than I thought.
I have some concerns about whether he can get to the basket in the NBA. He is big enough but I have some doubts he is quick enough to beat his defender. If he can’t do that, he won’t be worth much in terms of scoring since he can’t shoot.
I hope he proves me wrong though.
I hope he proves me wrong too. I wasn’t able to see the 07 Durant, but I saw Turner and here’s a quote from Turner during the summer league and the reason I remember it, is because I thought it was the most ignorant statement of all time.
“I’m having a hard time playing off the ball”….Your WHAT? Your all of 6’6, you’ve got great handles and a good mid-range shot and you mean to tell me you were having a hard time playing off the ball?
If he’s having a hard time playing off the ball, he doesn’t have a better offensive skillset than Jrue Holiday, who played exceptionally well off the ball last year.
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