While minutes lessen, Sixers Turner remains patient
Second year swingman Evan Turner has seen his playing time take a little bit of a dip lately, but he has learned to be patient and will continue to do so.
While minutes lessen, Sixers Turner remains patient
Bob Cooney
Evan Turner is no different than any other player in the NBA, or any kid playing basketball at any level of competition. Anyone who is playing the game wants to be on the court for as many minutes as possible. Problem is, there just haven't been many minutes for Turner lately as coach Doug Collins has played just over an average of 17 minutes a game over the last three.
"There's a recession, baby. We're like the stock market," said Turner with a laugh, before turning a little more serious. "I don't know. It's just one of those situations and we have to do what's best for the team and certain situations coach tries to do what's best out there and that's it."
Turner spoke this morning after the team's shootaround at Time Warner Cable Arena as they prepare for tonight's game against the Charlotte Bobcats (3-24). When asked if he ever gets explanations as to why he might not be seeing the floor as often as he likes, Turner said: "I don't know. You just have to move on with each game. We have so many games coming up. It is how it is. You just have to be a professional about it. You have to just be prepared. That's pretty much what I took from Noc (little used Andres Nocioni) - you've just got to be prepared when your number's called. Last year it happened to him a few times but he was always ready. That's what you have to do."
On the injury front, Collins said that trainer Kevin Johnson had made a call this morning to Spencer Hawes, who is back home getting treatment on his strained left Achilles.
"He (Hawes) said that when he got up this morning and walked for the first time he said his right Achilles' felt like his left. So I didn't know if the other one was bad now or what," said Collins with a laugh. "I think it was a good sign. Knowing Spencer I didn't know what that meant. We're hoping Friday."
After tonight's game with the Bobcats the Sixers will travel to Orlando for a Wednesday game with the Magic before returning home for a Friday matchup with the defending champion Dallas Mavericks.
More to come...
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Turner has to handle it professionally, and it appears he is...he'll get through it...seems like Lou went through a similar route with DC last year...one mistake and you're out...tonight shoud be a great opportunity to get up comfortably and extend ET's minutes...Hope to see LaVoy Allen get the minutes as well...Sixers have a tough little stretch coming after tonight prior to the break.— bearsfriend- patients key? surely Turner is not a Dr., let alone the Dr....— ogplaya
- I am being very patient with your title error (the word is patience). I think ET would want to play 30-35 minutes in every game, but he is still growing into his potential. Love his rebounding and hustle, but needs to work a little bit on his defense (so does Jrue!)!— GHK
- A high school newspaper wouldn't even confuse patients with patience
- Nice to only get half the story..."So...Coach Collins...Turner plays only TWELVE minutes of a one-point loss to the Clippers - only TWO minutes in the 2nd half - at a time where we were scoring less than 20 points a quarter and the Meeks/Lou backcourt was getting ROASTED by Paul/Williams...was it worth potentially losing a game you could have won simply because Reggie Evans beat Evan to a loose ball? Why does it seem like you have a one-mistake policy when it comes to Turner, but not for others?"
Inquiring minds want to know, Bob. Do you job and get BOTH sides to the story.— bebopdeluxe1 - We're talkin' about PATIENCE!— dasher
- I'm not usually the guy to attack grammar or spelling. However, that headline is absolutely embarrassing and laughable. Patience, fellas. The Wells Fargo Center has no emergency room.— CornerPretzelGuy
- Evan Turner should be playing way more than Meeks....— softballdude
- Its very clear that no matter how bad they want Jrue Holiday to be a really good point guard, hes's not!!! He could be a very good shooting guard one day though. Evan is so much more comfortable with the ball in his hands, am I the only one who sees this? Jodie Meeks is a joke except for one game every other week!!! Move Evan to point guard and move Jrue to shooting guard and bring Meeks off the bench as the one trick pony that he is, to shoot the three. Problem solved. Any questions????— VegasBaby!!!
- Evan Turner just isn't all that good. Or hasn't he watched game tape lately?— gentian
- ...."simply because Reggie Evans beat Evan to a loose ball? Why does it seem like you have a one-mistake policy when it comes to Turner, but not for others?"
And Evan-wont forget that!. You can be sure that DC politicked for Evan for the all star gig.Evan will be at least a good even much much better player down the line--He is a stat filler-a triple double type player--A valuable piece to have.
— HO HUM - I'd like to see Turner get a chance to start in place of Meeks to see how the team does. Turner is a far better all around player and to me Meeks is nothing more than a spot player who only does one thing well. Cmon Doug give it a shot.— bradco
- The spelling in the title is correct.— rorbo220
- It was changed. — bearsfriend
It is correct in the context it is being said. Since he is using Turner(noun)and not speaking in the first person, it's patient. It would be used correctly by saying, Turner must learn to show patience. Bob Cooney is speaking of Turner as like saying, keep calm and remain patient.— sw-sportsfan
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.
