Two questions: Meeks and Turner
In the last few days, the questions/emails/requests have been mainly focused around two topics: the play of Jodie Meeks and the play (or lack of play) of Evan Turner.
Two questions: Meeks and Turner
In the last few days, the questions/emails/requests have been mainly focused around two topics: the play of Jodie Meeks and the play (or lack of play) of Evan Turner.
Since today is another off day on the schedule for the 76ers -- they play at the Chicago Bulls tomorrow -- we'll try to address these two topics as best as possible. First, the regular round of links and promotions. If you want to follow on Twitter, that's the best way to be connected to all stories, blogs, and quick-hit info. Click here: Deep Sixer. If you want our brand-new APP that includes everything plus APP-exclusive posts and videos for our Holiday-special price of $.99, you can find that here: Basketball APP. If you want to read Sunday's "Inside the Sixers" from the Inquirer about the team's improving defense, that's here: Inside the Sixers. Finally, I've embedded another "On the Road" video into this post, answering a question about life on the road for the Sixers. If you want to see the blooper video in making that video, it's embedded in this post from Saturday: Blooper. Just trying to keep things interesting around here.
If you want to understand why the Giants' Matt Dodge would punt a line drive to DeSean Jackson, you can probably find that somewhere else on Philly.com.
OK, onto Jodie Meeks. The questions we've been getting are mainly about Meeks' ability to be a starting shooting guard in the NBA. Obviously, he is a starting shooting guard right now, and his first few games seemed to make his case that he belonged there. Recently, his outside shooting touch has left him. In watching, you can tell he's getting frustrated at missing these outside looks. He'll often exhibit some form of frustration immediately after a miss, while running back down court. Here's how the numbers look for Meeks in the last 5 games: 3 for 20 from beyond the arc and 12 for 44 from the field. In that same span, the Sixers are 4-1. We haven't had enough time watching Meeks to know for sure, but my guess is that this will be the longest slump we'll see from him this season. Once he gets out of it (which -- we'll take a guess here -- will come tomorow against the Bulls), it's doubtful we'll see such a gap in shooting touch from the guy. Why? It seems he started out so gangbusters, so on fire, so far above his normal ability (come on, all those threes at the Miami Heat or at home against the Bobcats is not normal, no matter how smooth your stroke) that he was bound to hit a slump with a similar, reverse trajectory. The truth of Meeks' game is somewhere between the two performances and it's likely we'll see him settle into a more steady performance over the next 20 games. In the mean time, we can't overlook the things he's still doing on the floor. At the Orlando Magic, Meeks still contributed by attacking the basket, playing very good defense, and spreading the floor. Verdict: don't worry too much about Meeks right now. He'll be fine.
And, of course, there's Evan Turner. This could be the most popular of all the questions. Why isn't he playing? What's going on? Should he be playing more? Doug Collins said last week that he will always lean towards giving Turner the first shot off the bench (not consistently in front of Lou or Thad, but in front of Andres Nocioni). My reaction is that Collins said this in assuming he'd get some production out of Turner. Right now, he's getting nothing. So he's gone to Nocioni a couple of times in the last week. Turner needs to start responding. In the last seven games, Turner has had more than one field goal only once. Seems like Collins is willing to keep going back to Turner if he sees something out there that's helping the team. There's nothing remarkably new to say about this situation right now. It's too early to make a verdict on Turner, but you can be sure Collins will keep extending him playing time. Wish there was some insight, something more helpful to relay, but what you're seeing on the court/on the TV is exactly the reason he isn't earning himself more time.
More tomorrow from Chicago.
--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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I agree with you, Kate. Meeks is still playing good fundamental basketball and his shooting form looks good. He was great shooter at Kentucky. The NBA shots will start to fall again.
All shooters go through slumps. What good is that Meeks continues to play great D and will drive the ball to the basketball when his shot is not happening. With Turner, I don't know what to say, he seems scared to be out there and not decisive enough. He needs to be more aggressive and don't be afraid to make mistakes.— penncrow19- Iggy plays to many minutes, I think it hurts the team. Turner can use some of those minutes. When playoff comes around, Iggy is going to have nothing left.— cosmic
- If Meeks continues to drive to the hoop and develops or uses his mid-range game, then his recent poor shooting from beyond the arc will be less of an issue. IF he only relies on the three, then like Kyle Korver, who is playing very well for the Bulls, he will be coming off the bench, his good defense notwithstanding. Collins only ran him for 26 minutes against the Magic. He has been helped by the fact that Turner has been dreadful; no doubt Thorn, Stefanski, and Collins were looking at him to be the starting two guard, given his height, seeming defensive skills, college experience, and ability to board. Right now Turner looks like a guy ready for the D League for a week. What is particularly discouraging: Favors, Johnson, and Cousins, who followed him in the draft, are getting increased playing time and making the most of it, while Turner languishes.— chuckw
- Kate is great.— Don Cornelius
Turner has to go and so does the fool who drafted him. Didn't Collins prefer Favors?- I think Turner has a bright NBA future ahead of him. First, he plays very solid defense and has fantastic size for the shooting guard spot. Second, he is an outstanding ball handler and passer from the two spot. Third, his weakness- the jump shot- will develop over time. Once he gets develops three-point range (at a respectable 35% or so), he will be the Sixers best offensive player. I'd say next season, there is no chance Meeks will be the starting two guard, though he will be a fine reserve. Also, as far as Meeks is concerned, I think his recent struggles are more a result opposition scouting than his own personal difficulties. Opponents are in his jersey wire to wire. His jumpers are contested now and he is missing badly as a result. Next season, as a back up, he might be able to fly under the radar a little bit and continue to shine, but for now, the Sixers need to just take advantage of the fact that he has a defender glued to him, so they can operate with a little more space a la 4-on-4.— incog69
- Jodie Meeks stinks and doug collins is a moron. Watching Jodie Meeks score 9 points a night while collins builds a team around andre iguodala and elton brand is so exciting!!!! I can not believe that Evan Turner has not been successful while getting no minutes and/or watching Iggy swallow offensive productivity like a black hole. The Sixers should have hired Craig Sager.— notojm
- Breaking News - "Enthralled by the Phillies recent signing of Cliff Lee, the Eagles trio of Vick, Jackson and Samuels, the Flyers as #1 in the NHL, Carmelo Anthony shocked the NBA world by announcing his preferred destination is Philadelphia. Immediately upon hearing the news, Rod Thorn, President of the Sixers traded Andre Iguodala, Thad Young and Evan Turner to Denver for Anthony and Renaldo Balkman. Anthony has agreed to a 5 year extension worth an estimated $120 million. "— JBP
- Is it possible the speed of the NBA game is just a tad quicker than the Big Ten?
- JBP: more likely, the Sixers front office then decides to pass on getting Anthony, wanting to hold on to Iguodala. Incog69: I don't think anyone is in a position right now to determine whether Evan Turner will be a solid pro or not, until he begins to show it on the court and that will be difficult as Collins continues to reduce his minutes and as the Sixers try to determine whether he is a point guard or a shooting guard. Thus, perhaps a week or two in the D League would help out both parties (although I doubt the Sixers would send him there). I agree with you on Meeks, however. Although not much of a defender, Lou Williams has a better all-around offensive game than Meeks, and Williams is coming off the bench. Give Stefanski his due (although we can never forgive him for Eddie Jordan): he has tried to get a solid three-point shooting, instant offense, kind of player, first with Kapono and then with Meeks, and he brought in Brand (a move I did not like at the time, coming off such a serious injury) who has certainly helped the half-court sets. Everyone loves the fast break, but NBA teams win in the playoffs with defense and half-court offense, both of which are improving with this team.— chuckw
I agree with you Kate..— dexter55- thanks for listening to your readers Kate - even the ones living outside the country (im one of the guys that was inquiring about Meeks).— Justin@FanGamb
Stop reading my mind. Stop it. Really. I mean it. Just stop, ok? Stop it.— Nuutron- For Turner - it isn't lack of speed etc etc, its the inability to shoot. An example was against the Magic where he used some slick dribbling to free himself up for an open 15 footer - then proceeded to hit the backboard and miss the rim. It's a combination of terrible form and lack of confidence. When he shoots right now he is merely throwing the ball at the basket and hoping it goes in— 7mel11
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.
