A scout's take on Evan Turner
Not too long ago I talked to a scout from a Western Conference team who has had tremendous success in building one of the preeminent teams in the league for the better part of the last decade and a half.
A scout's take on Evan Turner
John Mitchell, Inquirer Staff Writer
Sixers coach Doug Collins is going to make a point of putting the ball in Evan Turner’s hands when he’s on the floor. (Nick Wass/AP)
Not too long ago I talked to a scout from a Western Conference team who has had tremendous success in building one of the preeminent teams in the league for the better part of the last decade and a half.
I asked him for his take on Sixers point guard Jrue Holiday a little over one week ago and he was clear that Holiday has the potential to at least approach the level of elite point guards in the NBA.
However, when I asked him about last year’s No. 2 overall pick, Evan Turner, he expressed some reservations that I thought were interesting.
"I’m interested myself to see how Evan turns out," said the scout, who requested anonymity. "He had a slow start in college relative to where he ended up. It seemed like his game turned a corner when the ball was put in his hands, and he’s a guy that seems to be at his best when the ball is put in his hands a lot."
Sixers coach Doug Collins is going to make a point of putting the ball in Turner’s hands when he’s on the floor, so Collins has clearly bought into the consensus out there on Turner. The Scout seemed to think that his progress will hinge on this.
"I wonder if his development, growth and ability to impact the game are going to depend on that," he said. "And if it is, is he going to get the opportunity to maintain control of the ball that much… I really am just as curious where that turns out myself. He’s obviously improved this summer and worked hard. But overall, I think that one is a little less predictable, especially relative to where he was picked and what standard he’s trying to live up to based on his college career."
Comments (25)
Bearsfriend, the positive vibes I receive while reading your comments are very refreshing, especially after some of the garbage I've seen. I pray you keep keeping the integrity and honest approach to your comments.— aia- Thanks...Go Sixers. — bearsfriend
- What did the scout think about Favors??— ClarkU
- Favors will be a beast, he has put on weight properly the past two years, and is not shy about banging heads...People got down on him because he was traded away so early in his career...but he's still 20 years old. As we saw last night in lieu of Jefferson's injury, if he gets minutes and doesn't fall into foul trouble (every young big man's indoctrination) he will produce... — bearsfriend
- Evan is nice! The problem is that you can't get more out of him because Iggy is in the way. It's funny, but I've never seen or felt such a disdain for a dude who consistently fills up the stat sheets evey night. I love Iggy's hustle and athleticism; I just wish that he was paid less than what we've given him because he's going to keep having this aura about him that he's THE man here. I think that turner will be fine and I don't mind him not starting. If you got 10 solid guys who can be mixed and matched up on every given night by a mastermind like Collins, who cares if who starts, as long as they win games and play these games the right way. I just wish Iggy had more balls to NOT shoot jumpers...I hate his shot...— DAME
- Evan Turner is a nice piece. Turner's problem is that he needs the ball in his hands. Lou Williams needs the ball in his hands. Holiday needs the ball in his hands. Doug Collins needs to be a miracle worker consequently. The sixers larger problem is that it picked over Demarcus Cousins. That decision set this team back years. History will show that Douggie mentioned how exciting a player Cousins would be. Douggie you were right-- he is a beast!!!!— reveugene
- Thanks bear. You too.— EL Zorro
- I would have taken Cousins with the 2nd pick. Yes, there was some concern about his attitude/personality, etc. That said, he had the best potential of all the players coming out of college in 2010. And he did pretty well his rookie season. You can't pick a player with the second overall pick that has some flaws like Turner and especially when you have already three or four similar players on your roster. Cousins, or even Favors, would have solved the PF problems this team has, IMO. I see Turner being a solid player, maybe making an AS game or two, but Cousins could be the next dominant big man since Dwight Howard.— EL Zorro
- Zorro, my friend, you are a double threat! — bearsfriend
- The issue is the Sixers have too many players with similar skill sets. Lots of guys who need the ball in their hands to make plays and be successful. The roster is not rounded out with catch and shoot guys who can take advantage of the driving ability of Iggy, Lou, Turner and Thad. Meeks is not that guy. Issue is who do you move to get help. Iggy is the obvious choice for most but he has the undesirable contract and also is your best lockdown defender. Maybe Lou but he really doesn't have any trade value. I am glad I am not the GM as I don't see a way for this team to get any better than a 5 or 6 seed in the East and probably first round exit in the playoffs.— Blue and White
- The sixers must force turnovers and minimize theirs. Jrue Holiday can not turn the ball over 6 times. The fact that they kept the only lost by 3 points is amazing even though Jrue he had an awful game and the 76ers turned the ball over 20 times. Be carfeul with the ball, force turnovers, move the ball,... keys to the 76ers winning games..— antsnyder1001
lou cant catch and shoot.. lou iso's and scores.. everytime someone makes a play for him and he's open he either drives or calls a half court set. once the play has been made you HAVE TO TAKE AND MAKE THE SHOT!! lou drives in this situation. Turner will at least attempt the spot up.. Lou will run from it. Thats why jodie is the guy. no question in my mind. thad................... in practice... put the ball on the ground.. stand behind the ball.. feet shoulder width apart.. reach down.... grab the ball.....ELBOWS CONNECTED to your HIPS!!!!! curl the ball to the middle of your chest. ALL THE WAY.. TIGHT!! The ball literally touching your chest... Elbows STILL CONNECTED TO YOUR HIPS. You are left handed. take the ball, your left hand, wrist AND forearm and turn it INSIDE!!! TO THE RIGHT!!! ALL THE WAY!! it feels feels uncomfortable like you are breaking your own arm but that feeling tells you that your release will be in line with the rim.. YOU ARE STILL TIGHT WITH THE BALL!!! KEEP IT TIGHT!! KEEP IT CLOSE TO YOUR BODY!! Bend your knees and hips SLIGHTLY!! KEEP THE BALL TIGHT!! when you come up EVERYTHING GOES UP!! the ball NEVER DISCONNECTS FROM YOUR BODY!! Up and out.. all in 1 stroke DOWNUP!!!!!!!!!!!!! not down and up DOWNUP!!!!!!!! HOLD THE RELEASE!! dont snap or jerk it. stand 3 feet from the basket.. you want all swishes. if you are swishing from 3' its good everywhere else. the KEY...?? KEEP IT TIGHT!! ALL THE WAY UP!! Breaking your arm IS THE ACCURACY!!— combocancer1975- This dude sounds like he's ripped off some pages from either Lou Carnesecca or Harry Litwack or Herb Magee ...Damn homie...So passionate about shooting!! If I find out your shooting stats, you damn well better not have shot less than 45 percent from the field! LMAO — DAME
- This team honestly can't have Meeks, Lou and Thad coming off the bench. That's 3 guys who don't defend well in the game at the same time. Meeks starts based on his shooting alone, but his defense is suspect as is Lou. And consider all 3 players are small for their respective positions having 3 in the game at once would be harmful if not disastrous. Collins should start Evan IMO, its time.— phillyinNJ
- Two years from now everyone will be happy with the Turner pick. He will prove to be the most steady in the top five with Derrick Favors a close second. Wall will have his big nights but will not be a winner as he plays out of control. Cousins will probably be in jail somewhere.— FetchDixon
- I always wanted Cousins , and then we all heard the stories...immature,selfish,stupid...So far this season he's doing it on the floor, a beast...Season's early and there's time for him to implode, but if he gets his head together like he has so far, he's worth watching. — bearsfriend
- The Sixers are in good shape at guard for the next several years with Jrue, Lou, and Turner . . . some combo of them will surely work out. It wouldn't take a genius coach to figure that out. The fact that the Sixers have their first genius coach since Larry Brown should speed their development.— Leegles
- Evan Turner has shown me that he can play well enough that the Sixers can move Iggy and allow him to flourish. I wish Iggy the best I think the Lakers is a great spot for him now that they have Matt Barnes at SF. They can give us that trade exception they got for Odom and keep Gasol and Bynum-Win-Win— Aaron B
- Turner showed he had some game in the Miami series, for whatever reason he developed a lot of confidence when facing one of the best teams in the league. At some point he or Williams has to be in the starting lineup, it makes no sense to keep Meeks in there for much longer. He is a one dimensional player and would be a great guy to bring off the bench for spot up shooting. I dont understand why he's starting now really. If Lou Williams was a starter he would average 20 a game. Everyone is waiting on Holiday to be the break out star but LW is a proven offensive threat that is more trustworthy in the clutch than Iggy or Holiday.— Yakov
- Meeks starts because he spreads the floor and therefore creates room for Hawes and Brand inside. Note that Meeks doesn't really finish games. That's what counts . . . — Leegles
- @Leegles...wouldn't any three point threat parked in the corner or on the wing effectively do that somewhat in the halfcourt set?...Meeks has amazing straight line speed, and theoretically should be a clamp down defender..He has lapsed there, and on the break with his lack of handle, he has become a detriment...Currently, if he's NOT hitting his outside shot, he adds almost nothing to the team. — bearsfriend
At some point Holiday and Turner will form one of those backcourts that have other teams very worried. Both have good height for their position. Both can score and facilitate. It's the TO's that are the problem and that will go away as the chemistry grows. Understanding your teams strengths and limitations. The last play of the game should come down to those two. We have all had enough of Igoudala attempting to be "that guy".- Nicely said bearsfriend. I would like to see Lou get the start at SG, and then put the ball in Turner's hands off the bench. Evan was the "safe" pick at two when he came out. He'll be a good player (meaning he won't be a total bust and will playing meaningful minutes for a number of years), but how how good remains to be seen. Collins needs to get more from Speights or somebody with some size off the bench if this team is going to win. Young was the only forward to come off the bench in Portland, and Portland is a team with size. I thought the strength of this team was it's bench? With a condensed season, you have to play more than 8 guys on a road trip.— BeFrank
Comment removed.- Collins himself would dash like a mad rabbit on the baseline around a picket fence to catch and shoot effectively from the baseline, wearing out a pair of sneakers every game...That's not Turner's game and he understands that..That's why I expect Evan to continue handle it, see the floor (and the impending trap), utilize hispull up mid range game..He should however selectively go at the rim as the shot blockers will lick their chops when he attacks it...Just needs to play....move Lou up to support Jrue, barring major size in the opponent's backcourt.— bearsfriend
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About this blog
John Mitchell is in his second year covering the 76ers for the Inquirer after joining the paper in November 2011. He covered the Washington Wizards for the Washington Times from 1998 to 2008. He's also worked at the Philadelphia Tribune, the Wilmington News Journal, Courier-Post, Trenton Times and Elmira Star-Gazette.Born and raised in West Philadelphia - not too far from Will Smith - he graduated from Overbrook High School the same year the 76ers won their last championship. He's a proud graduate of Howard University and the proud father of two sons, Jared and Jordan.
ABOUT MARC NARDUCCI
Marc Narducci has served in a variety of roles with the Inquirer since beginning in 1983. He has covered the 76ers as a backup and a beat writer. In addition, Narducci has covered everything from the Super Bowl to the World Series and a lot in between. Narducci also has a true passion for South Jersey scholastic sports, which he has covered for many years.
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