Turner just wants to play ball
After two frustrating seasons, Sixers swingman Evan Turner is ready to put that all behind him and just prove he is ready to shine.
Turner just wants to play ball
Bob Cooney
Evan Turner has a chip on his shoulder. He feels the fans anxiety about his play - so far not living up to that of a No. 2 overall choice. His frustration level over his first two seasons has reached a boiling point several times.
But now Turner, entrenched as the team's starting small forward and expected to play bountiful minutes, is ready to put all of that behind him and just concentrate on what drives him - playing ball.
Monday at the team's practice facility at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Turner fidgeted when asked if this was a "make or break" season. He didn't care for the question as he, quite frankly, didn't think he was given the proper chance to prove his worth. He was stymied in a reserve role in most of his first two seasons as coach Doug Collins went with shooter Jodie Meeks over Turner. It wasn't until last year's playoff run that Turner started getting the minutes he expected from the day he was drafted out of Ohio State.
"I basically sat for two years," Turner said. "I have time to make up and get my rhythm back. Fitting in and playing situational minutes for two years, that takes a toll on your game. I’m just trying to find my niche, keep getting better and find my rhythm.
"I knew I was going to play in the playoffs. I knew that was coming I knew two or three months prior to that. I might not have played that much during the season but playoff comes and my number gets called because I can play like that. I remember certain situations (that will help him this season), playing against great wing players like Paul Pierce and Rip Hamilton and Ray Allen. I remember how poised they were. They kept chucking away the whole game. In certain game Paul and Ray might not have been on fire but when it came down to it they hit big shots and made big plays. (This summer) every time I worked out I OD’d and made sure I was dead by the end of the day."
So far this season, Turner seems to have taken on a role of leader, vocalizing to new teammates more than he ever has in the past. He seems stronger, absolutely more confident and, above all, more settled in his role. And his teammates have impressed him mightily so far.
"I think these practices (the past week) were better than all the ones my past two years, to tell you the truth," he said. "There’s competition every single day, everybody is going at each other. People are more hungry. I’m not saying guys in the past weren’t but spots were solidified and everything like that."
And now his spot is solidified.
"The one thing is I’m just playing basketball. If I see someone open I’ll kick it and if I see my own shot I’ll go get it. This is how I always play," Turner said. "It’s just change – change of scenery, change of personell. Spots were solidified the past two years no matter what. Whether somebody played better or whatever those teams just made sense in how they were."
- Because he's not 50. Those aren't his idols.
A guy stands up and says, basically, "this is my opportunity, I have to take it" and the comments kill him. I think there are a lot of bored Flyer fans with nothing else to do but hate on the Sixers.
They did exactly what every perennial 7-8-9 seed should do- they took a shot at something big, literally and figuratively. Beats being bogged down in mediocrity. Even if you think there's only a 50% chance it works, hw can you hate. Get on the bandwagon, this will be fun.— Everybodyhitshooha - BRING IT ON ET! Time to walk the walk as everyone here keeps saying. I hope Herb Magee's shooting tips are part of your game now, because we need to see you play lights out, #2.— petergou
- Dear Evan,,, Like you,, like you game,, but do us all a great favor. Shut up,, PLEASE,, Shut Up,, This is Philly and in Philly talk is cheap. As has been noted above your talk FAR exceeds your game.This is a "show me" town so just SHOW US and Please shut up. As for a reference to what I am saying see.. Moses Malone,, Dr J,, Allen Iverson, etc,etc. These guys played here and the let their games do the talking.— phillyroni
- I for one believe that he suffered from lack of consistent PT and undefined roles more than anyone else on the team. So I can see his dilema but........the timing is right for him to step up and take what he believes should have been his. The ball is not just figuratively in his court. It's actually there! Maybe we can all be happy if he succeeds!— nceagle
- i hope he does play well this yr because i'm tired of people not using common sense and seeing the dude lacked playing time. what other #2 overall pick has had less playing time? really maybe some but not many. his coach even said he hasnt started because of the system not because he hasn't earned it. give him the same chance that jrue had and then if he hasnt worked out cool let em go but i dnt think its cool he get judged like that. this is philly and we are a show me town. but lets use commom sense too!! — Phillyphan@27
- No one would be happier to see ET improve, to see the guy who was a star for a little over a week last year. But I need to "SEE IT" not hear excuses for why he was not, not hear him vaguely throwing others (coaches, teammates) under buses. And not hear how he is the second coming,,, Again,, SHOW ME and until then,,, SHUT UP !!!— phillyroni
- Brick Layer— attila
- Evan Turner's stats after 2 years are worst than Shawn Bradley's...Shawn Bradley avg. 9.8 pts per game, 7.1 rebs, and 3.3 blk after 2 seasons...Evan Turner avg 8.4 pts, 4.8 rebs, 2.4 ast, after 2 seasons -- both shot 43%— BlitzMag
- Am I reading this wrong? Is this article, these quotes and Phillyphan's comments about Lebron James or Kevin Durant not getting 35 mins a game? No, it's about Evan Turnover.
Last season 8 Sixers played between 25-35 mins, with Iggy being the only one at 35. Turnover got roughly the same minutes as Lou, Thad, Brand, Hawes and Meeks but you didn't hear any of them whining. Just go out and show us if you're the 2nd coming of Magic Johnson or the 2nd coming of Antonio Daniels. Until then shut your elongated piehole.— OG - Ease up guys, this is just Evan being Evan. For whatever reason since high school Evan has been insecure so he talks to make up for it. We all know lots of guys like that. The difference, Evan HAS backed it up becoming the National Collegiate Player of Year and a #2 pick. I believe he will deliver just as he did versus the Celtics in the playoffs last season.— JBP
- what do people mean shut up? he was asked a question, and he told you how he felt. Listen there is no doubt that evan will elevate his game from last year....the only real question is how much
? guess what happens with young players? They get BETTER as their comfort level and confidence increase! not every top draft pick is a stud from day one! some take 2-4 years to develope and carve out their niche in the league! Personally I have never thought of Turner as a bust in the past two years. the jury is still out!— johnGiam - This comment has been deleted.— alphamale
- Welcome back. — bearsfriend
- alphamale: even though they're around the same age Holiday and Thad are far more professional than Turner. Somewhere along the way they learned humility and that the world doesn't revolve around them.
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.
