What if Andre Iguodala and rookie Evan Turner can't coexist?
Rookie Evan Turner is finding it hard to be productive when Andre Iguodala is on the court at the same time.
What if Andre Iguodala and rookie Evan Turner can't coexist?
Bob Cooney
The Sixers have many problems - not exactly startling news for a team that is currently 5-13. But the biggest one of all right now is that rookie Evan Turner, this year's second overall pick, is finding it hard to be a productive player when he is on the court with Andre Iguodala.
Iguodala missed five full games this season with tendonitis in his right Achilles. During that time, Turner stepped into the starting lineup and showed glimpses of why he was taken No. 2.
Let's take a look at the numbers: In the five games with Iguodala sidelined, Turner shot 23-for-51 (45 percent) and grabbed 8.2 rebounds. The numbers were a direct result of Turner's activeness on the court and confidence.
Now, Iguodala has been back in the lineup for five games and during that time coach Doug Collins has kept Turner in the lineup. During the past five games, Turner has been practically invisible, shooting 23.8 percent (5-for-21) and has a total of 10 rebounds.
Collins hasn't hidden the fact that Turner struggles with Iguodala, but for now seems intent on keeping Turner in the starting lineup.
Iguodala might be one of the hardest players in this city, in any sport, to figure out. His numbers and all-around play are impressive, but he is not the superstar that this team can build around. He is certainly coveted by many teams in the league, but Philly fans have had a problem warming up to him.
And now, the coveted rookie is finding it hard to play with him. As long as Iguodala is here, he will be on the floor for major minutes. He has averaged over 38 minutes a game during his seven seasons and showed his worth in Tuesday's win over Portland. Though he scored just seven points on four shots, Iguodala was instrumental in leading a Sixers fourth-quarter defense that limited the Trail Blazers to 4-of-20 shooting from the floor.
I've said all along that my feeling is the Sixers will deal Iguodala at some point this season, probably after the midway point. Is the move now more necessary being that the No. 2 pick can't seem to play with Iguodala? Could be. Certainly the organization wants to build the future around the backcourt of Jrue Holiday and Turner. But if Turner's growth is stunted because of his inability to play with Iguodala, what's the solution?
Who cares if they can't coexist? They're both horrible. Evan Turner is the number two pick, yet some games HE DOESN'T EVEN ATTEMPT A FIELD GOAL FOR A 5-13 TEAM. WHEN YOU HAVE 0 FIELD GOAL ATTEMPTS ON A 5-13 TEAM, YOU ARE NOT A GOOD BASKETBALL PLAYER. Turner has shown me NOTHING.— brmorgen81
If Turner cannot figure out how to play with Iguodala, then he probably isn't the player we hoped for anyway. How about giving it some time. He's a rookie and will have ups and downs anyway....he should try to keep rebounding and playing defense first until he can figure out the rest of the stuff.— srvdove- Trade Iggy for a real center. Chris Kaman? As one of the few Dalembert supporters (at least while he was on the court), this team would be at least a .500 team with him. They have no inside presence and truly miss his rebounding and shot blocking. They need a big...NOW!— bdc333
Comment removed.- I can't believe both newspapers still have a Sixers beat. Why, just why?— UncleEddie
- BIGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG PROBLEMS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!— bill poore
Turners' body language is terrible. After being the man in college we're seeing that he is having a rough time playing within a team concept. With Wall you see those flashes of greatness. With Turner all you see is him wallowing in self pity. God I hope I'm wrong about him.
Iggy is all flash and no substance. To me he is a Sperts Center highlight version of Clarence Weatherspoon. Very good stats that never seem to equal wins. Since the whole league 'covets' him- make a deal now, get an exp contract and some fodder and hope for one more very high pick next June, then let this young team grow.- No, they won't trade iggy because he can't co-exist with Turner. They will trade him because Iggy puts up empty numbers that never coincide with the flow of winning basketball. Iggy is a good piece on a winning team with many good players. He is not and never has been a building block. And then add on his way overinflated ego where he thinks he's a franchise player and you have the makings of a player that fans can't warm up to. His best moment as a sixer was right after the season ended a couple years back and he told the media that he would have to sit Ed Stefanski down and talk with him about where the team was headed. Hahaha. That was a classic. Like this guy is Jordan or somebody. It took about until the next day for Stefanski to slap this lunatic right back into place. What a joke.— Sewellmatt
- Your assumption that Turner can't play with Iggie is foolish. He plays with whoever his coach wants him to play with and if he can't don't use him. What a soap!— LaCroix,Nolet,Gendron
- Turner doesn't stink. He's an actual combo guard whereas Iguodala is a small forward who can't shoot and has an awful handle. The problem is he thinks he's the man because of his ridiculous contract so he jacks up one of the all time worst jumpshoots whenever he gets the chance. He's a piece, not a player. Someone above mentioned Clarance Weatherspoon and I laughed because at least he had an offensive game. AI2's offensive game has never evolved from high school.— phillyabe
- Turner doesn't stink. He's an actual combo guard whereas Iguodala is a small forward who can't shoot and has an awful handle. The problem is he thinks he's the man because of his ridiculous contract so he jacks up one of the all time worst jumpshoots whenever he gets the chance. He's a piece, not a player. Someone above mentioned Clarance Weatherspoon and I laughed because at least he had an offensive game. AI2's offensive game has never evolved from high school.— phillyabe
- UncleEddie,
Some people still love their Sixers win or lose just as many others love the Eagles, Flyers and Phillies win or lose. I am honestly still a big Sixers fan (All Philly teams actually) no matter what. Although I must confess I am extremely dismayed by the situation as it has been for the past 7 or 8 years...it is a shame that year after year we are left with a non-competitive team. It is a problem when you have a professional organization and if you allowed any fan to take over as GM it could not possibly be much worse than it is. What the hell do you do at that point? Personally if it were me I would get the best available players from European teams and field them as a team but then maybe they would lose support of the city due to many foreign players on the court. I don't know but what do you all think of that? Maybe they could outscore the opposition with three's, surely their defense couldn't be any worse. Yes uncle I am frustrated and it does not sound as if I support them but I do and will continue to do so every game.— BCRock - The solution is to fire the GM who thought that Turner was the best player available! It is past time to point out how stupid they were to pick a redundant player, creating the conditions to force a trade. Iguodala may not be the ultimate player to build around, but then again neither is Turner. Trading Iguodala to make room for Turner is about as stupid a basketball idea as there is. They should have drafed Favors and then we wouldn't be in this situation!
If you remember Iguodala had problems developing as a player when Iverson was here. The Sixers continually create problems for themselves because they can't think clearly. Some players need the ball to be effective, but you can only have so many of those on your team. You keep the ones that can shoot at a high percentage and play solid defense. At this point Iguodala is a much better more effective player than Turner. Unfortunately he's the only one who can attract any attention on the free agent market. Still there is no trade opportunity out there that justifies trading Iguodala. The Sixers are in a bad situation of their own making. I have no sympathy either, I told everyone that this would happen before the draft, seeing it as obvious. Most of you are a bunch of tools!— ricky - ricky your analysis is correct but I still think they should trade Iguodala. After playing with this crew for the rest of the year there is no way Iggies value will increase. His career is at stake. Let him go. Did anyone happen to notice Brand is in the top five of overpaid stiffs. Pay somebody to take him off our hands. Will we be better? Who knows but we've seen what this group is capable of and things have to change.— notch44
Bob Cooney has been at the Daily News for more than 20 years, working in the sports department for the past 15. This is his third season on the Sixers beat. He has covered just about everything, but mostly college basketball, where he was the La Salle beat writer for six seasons. E-mail Bob at cooneyb@phillynews.com and follow him on Twitter.
