Evan Turner, no longer a rookie
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Evan Turner, no longer a rookie
We're getting closer to more specific talk about the NBA Draft. The combine in Chicago is May 18-22 and then the 76ers will start bringing in players to PCOM for workouts. Today, we'll just continue with our coverage of some of the smaller questions surrounding the Sixers. On Monday, we discussed the future possibilities with young big man Craig Brackins. If you missed that post, you can find it here: Brackins. On Tuesday, we talked about the future of center Spencer Hawes and whether or not the Sixers would want to re-sign the 23-year-old starting center. If you missed that post, you can find it here: Hawes.
Today, per the e-mails I've received, people seem to be interested in Evan Turner, the No. 2 pick in the 2010 NBA Draft. The question I've received more than any other? If the Sixers could make that selection again, would they still draft Turner? The question I've received the second-most amount of times? Where do the Sixers see Turner playing? At point guard, at starting shooting guard, at small forward?
The point of today's post is to paint a picture of how the franchise views Turner, at this exact moment in time. We all have opinions about how Turner's rookie year went, and nobody believes it was earth-shattering, but I'd like to toss one idea out there that we haven't fully discussed previously. Turner went through the fire. Sixers coach Doug Collins didn't hand him anything. He had a handful of games where he didn't play, per coach's decision, and we'd be naive to think those moments didn't knock the wind out of Turner. But also, in an old-fashioned way, it was probably the best thing that could have happened to him. Because he impressed people with the way he handled himself last season. Nothing was given to him and in the long run there's belief within the organization that this will make him a stronger, more dedicated, more mentally tough player than some rookies who received 35 minutes a game, a starting role, and a prime-time spot on a 20-win team.
So in answer to the most asked question: who would the Sixers draft if they could do it all again? I still think they draft Turner; I think people within the organization -- and I know I agree with this -- still believe he will raise to the level of a No. 2 pick, even if his rookie year numbers don't reflect that status immediately.
By all accounts, at Turner's exit interview the day after the loss to the Miami Heat, he made it clear he understands what he has to do this summer. And he's excited to do it. He is keeping in good contact with everyone and preparing himself for a breakout sophomore season. In addition to improving that mid-range jumper, Turner understands that he must be in absolutely ideal physical condition when he enters camp next September. Toward the end of last season, because his minutes were often sporadic and traveling isn't the healthiest style of living, Turner probably wasn't in tip-top, prime-time shape. But he will be next season. And that will go a long way toward allowing him to defend on the low block, improve his first step, and be more explosive on the floor.
He's excited for what he can do next season, and so is the franchise.
So in answer to the second most asked question: what position is Turner? I'm going to give all Sixers' fans something else to think about in saying that it's possible you might see Turner playing more small forward next season. I know we've talked about his potential for starting at the shooting guard spot, as well as how well he plays when given minutes as the main ballhandler, but if you move forward under the premise that the point guard position absolutely belongs to Jrue Holiday, then you have to ask yourself where might Turner find the most minutes? Are his skills perhaps best suited to playing the small forward? If he can get himself into prime condition, can add some strength to effectively defend on the low block, then keep an eye on Turner's potential as a small forward.
Of course, there are plenty of other factors the team must address as this summer moves forward. Right now, the starting small forward position rightfully belongs to Andre Iguodala. If the right deal doesn't come along in the next few months, then Turner's minutes will -- as they were this season -- be much more difficult to come by and will be patched together across three positions: point guard, shooting guard, and small forward.
But the main point of this blog is to answer the lingering questions about Turner: the franchise considers him a crucial piece for the future and Turner has been straight-forward with telling them he's prepping for a legitimate sophomore season.
Here are a few lineup ideas to consider:
Status Quo: 1.) Holiday, Meeks, Iguodala, Brand, Hawes. (Obviously worst case because there's no improvement.)
Idea #1: 1.) Holiday, Player X, Turner, Brand, Player X. (Obviously dependent on making a trade involving Iguodala for a scoring guard and perhaps drafting a big man.)
Idea #2: 1.) Holiday, Turner, Iguodala, Brand, Player X. (Dependent on acquiring a big man, whether by draft or trade, but could be a very difficult lineup to push because of the lack of shooting.)
We could play the lineup game all day. If you want all of the quick-hit info, please follow on Twitter. You can do that here: Deep Sixer
--Kate
Each week, Kate will check in from the road and answer fan questions about the Sixers. Click here to ask Kate a question or e-mail her at kfagan@phillynews.com.
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- Also i like the Idea of drafting Klay if we were in desperate need of front court help. Lou is supposed to be our small quick guy that can guard smaller guards. I'm looking for him to take more of a leadership role on this team. I was reading the younger players gravitating towards Lou. I see no negative in the back court though. Just the realism that have work to do. i have faith that they will get better and grow as a unit. Within the next two seasons this team will be making a lot of noise. Just get some big men!!!!!!!! Please!!!!!!!
@chuckw, I think Young is this most intriguing piece to this puzzle. What will his future role be with this team? Doug did say at one point during the season that he sees Thad as a starting sf in this league. Is Thad the piece that gets moved in a sign and trade to get you that big? Rod Thorn also said after the season that he sees Evan being a good player on a winning team (note he didn't say the Sixers, he said a winning team). I expect Rod will shake things up as he did in New Jersey after his first season there. Buckle up folks.— Mattb- What position is Derrick Rose? He is a scoring PG. We have a scoring PG... all the playing above the rim talk... You have to play on the floor before you can get above the rim. Aren't tired of player relying on athletic ability that have game IQ. I predict this team will beat a lot of teams just by playing fundamentally sound basketball. It won't be pretty at times but I don't care as long as we win.
- I'm pretty sure Turner is 6'7'' -- how is that "getting smaller" at the 3?— Leegles
- Guys, let's forget about personal preferences for a second and objectively evaluate current NBA rosters. If you look around the league most positions have easily identifiable skills that are required.
PG - Most pgs are quick penetrators (rose, Paul, Westbrook, Rono, Lawson, Holiday, Conley, Parker, nash) the few that aren't are steady veterans (Kidd, Bibby. Billups, Miller) who play with stars. Turner is neither quick nor a veteran & as of now is not playing w/a star
SG - most are either freaky athletes (Wade, Bryant, Derozen, Carter), great shooters (Allen, Terry,Crawford, Mayo) or scorers (Gimobli, J. Johnson, Gordon, Martin, T Evans). There are a few like Bogans, Sephalosia, Stevenson who play beacuse they're lock down defenders but those guys are starters in name only & get limited minutes. Turner does not fall into any of the 1st 3 categories, he could be a lock down defender but that's a 25 min/game role.
SF - this is a position where there's a limited # of true stars. If you take Lebron James out of the equation most sf are either shooter/scorers (Durant, Carmelo, Pierce, Gay, Granger, Galinari) or athletic guys who play above the rim (Deng, Kirilinko, Batum, Marion, Iggy, Beasley) Turner doesn't fit either category.
Look, I like Turner I hope he is part of our future but before I put him in the starting lineup he has to develop 1 offensive skill that he does better than anyone else on the team. Right now he's a jack of all trades, master of none.— mtairy1 - I think you have a basic guideline but there are some exceptions Mitch Richmond wasn't a shooter like Reggie Miller he didn't play above the rim like MJ. In his prime Rock was the second best SG in the league. All the PGs you mentioned were high picks going to bad teams they didn't start out playing with star players where they had immediate success. What I'm saying is we have to let these young players develop. We live in a NOW society. Fast food, Instant pudding, Microwave popcorn. Which taste better microwave popcorn or pop corn from you great-grandmother's old air popper that had the entire house smell like fresh popped popcorn. Sometime we have to wait for the best things. That's all I'm saying. and why do we always have to put things in categories. I read an article 15 years or more ago breaking down players, past and present (at that time) whether they were SF, PF and so on. At the end the person had no classification for Larry Bird. He simply said he is a basketball player. And no I'll never compare Turner to Larry Legend, but the point is. He is a player that will do a lot of things for us. Also as far as I'm concerned he is neck and neck with Iguodala at this point. If he progresses imagine what he could be.
- mtairy1: appreciate all the work you put in on your posts, but to be fair to Turner, all comparisons should be against players in their rookie season only and learning a new position. Collins admitted that Turner is best when he controls the ball but the Sixers were initially determined to run him off the ball, which did not work out very well, particularly as his minutes were often limited by early fouls which disrupted his rhythm. He looked and often played like a confused rookie, which does not give him a legitimate chance to show his skillset. I think you underestimate his quickness, his passing skills, his improving defense, and his ability to post up smaller guards. I agree with BigVil that Turner needs to go much harder to the rim, to draw contact or dunk, as too many shots of his were put back in his face. In the playoffs, Collins ran him more at the point, with Holiday, a better outside shooter, off the ball, which seemed to work well. We cannot really determine his skillset until his plays another season, in my opinion. Kate Fagan has been blogging her opinions on players, but we have not yet heard from the one voice that counts: Doug Collins.— chuckw
- "...but if you move forward under the premise that the point guard position absolutely belongs to Jrue Holiday,"
How about challenging that premise? What frustrates me the most in the assumption that Holliday is a superstar waiting to happen. I think that is very questionable. He does not have a PG mentality. He does not have great court vision which means he doesn't set up others that well. He also has a knack for stupid turnovers. He also had a worse rookie year then Turner. He is certainly a fine young man, and could become a good PG. But maybe he would be better at the SG. Maybe Turner and Holliday could have success together as combo guards. I don't have the answer now, but let's not just automatically pencil him in as a PG and not examine all the options.
— blah - I understand you concern but you realize no one will ever be completely satisfied... Here is the question.
Would you rather have a PG that gives you 20 and 7 or a PG that gives you 13 and 10
Lets see how many people are paying attention this after noon. - Blah: I agree with you 100 percent about Holiday, although, even Collins has admitted that many of the young point guards coming into the league tend to look shot first, pass only when a shot is not available. I think what hurt Jodie Meeks this season was the inability of Holiday to get him the ball in the right position, if at all. There were many times when Meeks began red hot, then did not see the ball or would get it when not in a good position to shoot, a point that BigVil has made about Meeks not getting enough good looks. Once again, Kate Fagan is giving her informed opinions, but the one voice that counts is that of Doug Collins.— chuckw
- Turners 6'4. 6'5. Lebron had him by a good 3" as long as we believe the measurables management gives us (brand 6'9") we will always be at a disadvantage. Our problem is as simple as this.. ACTUAL v LISTED! That mavs laker series. TREES WERE EVERYWHERE! Gasol Bynum dirk chandler odom peja. All on the court at the same time looking eye level standing shoulder to shoulder. Was turner standing shoulder to shoulder with lebron? Actual v listed. Barkley was listed at 6'7. He's 6'4.— combocancer1975
- Cousins was the pick the Sixers should have made. They needed a center but it's to late for that to happen. Turner is best suited as a pg but that won't happen here. He can't play the 2 because he can't shoot and not as quick as a lot of 2's. He is better at the 3 and at6-7 is still good size at the 3. He is quicker then a lot fo 3's and can drive and pass. If he can work on his mid range shot he can be like the older version of Grant Hill just quicker which is effective.— sportsgenius99
- Cousins would have helped us more. I think Collins is looking for players that accept what he is teaching. Cousins' attitude would make a person not want to come to work. Drama, unnecessary drama drains the life out of people. He just got rid of Dalembert who was unhappy with his role. Why would Collins want to be bothered with that if he has a choice.
- combo: perhaps you should email Kate Fagan for her estimation of Turner's height, as you, alone, have questioned it.— chuckw
John Mitchell is in his second year covering the 76ers for the Inquirer after joining the paper in November 2011. He covered the Washington Wizards for the Washington Times from 1998 to 2008. He's also worked at the Philadelphia Tribune, the Wilmington News Journal, Courier-Post, Trenton Times and Elmira Star-Gazette.Born and raised in West Philadelphia - not too far from Will Smith - he graduated from Overbrook High School the same year the 76ers won their last championship. He's a proud graduate of Howard University and the proud father of two sons, Jared and Jordan.
ABOUT MARC NARDUCCI
Marc Narducci has served in a variety of roles with the Inquirer since beginning in 1983. He has covered the 76ers as a backup and a beat writer. In addition, Narducci has covered everything from the Super Bowl to the World Series and a lot in between. Narducci also has a true passion for South Jersey scholastic sports, which he has covered for many years.
