Turner 'never thought my career would start like this'

by tmoore on Apr 15, 2011 7:25 AM PDT

Here is an excerpt from the article:

Turner was a DNP-CD (Did Not Play-Coach's Decision) in four games, including a March 30 win over the Rockets and April 2 loss to the Bucks, as coach Doug Collins sometimes opted for veteran Andres Nocioni and others instead of Turner.

"It's crazy," Turner said. "I would've never thought my NBA career would start off like this. But it's cool. I think I learned a lot from it. I think this will help for the better more than worse."

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Hang in there Turner, you’ll get a lot more playing time next year. Collins has a history of not playing rookies much.

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by Djax10 on Apr 15, 2011 11:41 AM PDT reply actions

BUST!!!!!!! :D

He’ll be fine. His problems are almost completely mental…he needs experience and confidence, as he always has in adjusting to new levels. He was too deferential to the veterans, and Collins insisted on trying to radically altering his game. (Excuse, excuse, excuse, I know…although the “being too deferential to the veterans” thing was 100% his fault). He clearly has some really nice ability, and we’ve seen flashes of it through the season.

The roster issues are another story. There are three players, who are all talented players, who are being used more or less in the same way. Note, I did not say that “they are the same player.” They are not. But they have a large level of overlap in their skills, in that they are all-around players who like the ball in their hands. Now, is this Stefanski’s fault? Yes, probably. Could a creative coach design an offense around three guys who have decent size/length, ball-handling skills, defensive proficiency (or at least the potential for same), and the ability to score, although not in huge amounts? I would maintain so. For this, I blame Collins.

Did Turner do as much as he could to maximize the opportunities he was given? Clearly not. It was a disappointing season, and he has to take a lot of the responsibility for it. But does that make him a BUST!!!?? I don’t think so. He’s going to be fine.

by dweebowitz on Apr 15, 2011 2:05 PM PDT reply actions

If this playing time carries over to next year, I think you could see Turner become more visibly upset, and more focal with his frustrations.

Derek Bodner

LibertyBallers || @derekbodner || derek.bodner@draftexpress.com

by Derek Bodner on Apr 15, 2011 10:11 PM PDT reply actions

Leading me to my all-too-well known point: He’s 28, nursing a legitimate career-altering injury(It’s the same injury Utley’s got), he’s played like a couple hundred consecutive games right?

We finished 41-41, that’s nice. But let’s be honest: It’s about where we expected to be, give or take a few games. I mean, for Iguodala: This is his prime.

And the argument that we’ve supposedly got a bunch of young players: Do Paws, Boss and Brackins suggest someone that’s going to be even a remote part of this process? Well, give me some of the kool-aid you’re drinking. I don’t see them as a part of anything for the Sixers.

We’ve got Jrue, Turner, Young and Meeks(off the bench type). That’s about it…. 3 starters, but if we’re insistent on Young coming off the bench then that’s two. Your starting back-court.

It’s amazing that we’re in a situation that screams “rebuilding” yet for some reason, no one. From management to fans, wants to pull the trigger. As if we’re “something” away from being the next Boston. A big? Yeah, do you see any bigs available? And if they were they would command an Iguodala certainly at the least.

There’s no chance in hell Iguodala’s a part of a title team in Philadelphia, so we should do what we didn’t do with Miller: Get some value for the team that eventually will be here. Or, risk losing Turner as Derek pointed out.

by LeQuan Glover on Apr 16, 2011 7:06 AM PDT up reply actions