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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.

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...