Agent says Turner fits best with Sixers
As an agent, David Falk's stake in the 76ers includes a major chunk of the present (Elton Brand) and perhaps a star of the future (Evan Turner).
As an agent, David Falk's stake in the 76ers includes a major chunk of the present (Elton Brand) and perhaps a star of the future (Evan Turner).
We'll all know much more about Turner at the beginning of Thursday night's NBA draft, in which the Sixers hold the No. 2 pick. Conventional wisdom says the Sixers remain focused on Turner, the guard from Ohio State. The speculators would like you to believe there's a split in the organization, one side preferring Turner, another faction lobbying for 19-year-old Georgia Tech forward Derrick Favors.
But it sounded like Turner 2 weeks ago, last week and yesterday. And it almost certainly will be Turner Thursday night.
"For me, it's all about 'fits,' who fits best with which team," Falk said yesterday. "I believe Evan is a good fit for the Sixers and became a better fit when Doug Collins was named the coach because Doug has a lot of experience with guards."
Falk allowed Turner to work out only for the Sixers, declining an opportunity to work out for the Washington Wizards, who hold the No. 1 overall pick and are expected to take Kentucky guard John Wall. Again, conventional wisdom suggests that if Falk believed Turner had a realistic chance of becoming the No. 1 pick, he would have allowed his client to work out there.
But asked directly whether he had any reason to believe Turner would not be the Sixers pick, Falk said, "To speculate more would be irresponsible."
Falk said Turner was "relaxed, enjoying the situation," showing maturity and patience as he awaits Thursday night.
"He's 21, he played 3 years," Falk said. "That's a lot different than guys who went to school for, say, 3 months. It's fun watching him learning the marketing and business aspects, watching him grow. He's comfortable.
"I'm hoping to hear his name called early Thursday night, but that's up to the Sixers."
For the record, the draft starts at 7:30 p.m.
Falk also represents Brand, the power forward who signed a free-agent contract worth $79.8 million 2 years ago, but has struggled coming back from Achilles' tendon surgery, a shoulder separation and a mystifying year with since-fired coach Eddie Jordan.
"Doug will form a great partnership with Elton," Falk said. "He knows Elton well. Last year was disappointing, but Elton feels he has a number of productive years left. I think he might have a little bit of a chip on his shoulder to prove all the pundits wrong.
"Successful people bounce back from adversity, and Elton knows a lot of people have written him off after last year. He has to do it on the floor, but I believe Doug will rehabilitate his career."
Nets awaiting
For those out there who are trying to convince themselves that there is a significant Derrick Favors faction within the Sixers, New Jersey Nets president Rod Thorn - holding the No. 3 pick - told the Star Ledger of Newark, N.J. that he is convinced the Sixers will take Evan Turner.
"All of the information I have points to that direction," Thorn said.
Of Favors, Nets personnel director Greg Polinsky was quoted as saying, "He shows you skills, a good body, spurts of being electrifying athletically. But we've all had guys who we thought would really be good at 18, and it takes a while to make their mark in the NBA. So with Favors, you have to be willing to take a leap of faith."
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