Evan Turner, no longer a rookie
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Evan Turner, no longer a rookie
We're getting closer to more specific talk about the NBA Draft. The combine in Chicago is May 18-22 and then the 76ers will start bringing in players to PCOM for workouts. Today, we'll just continue with our coverage of some of the smaller questions surrounding the Sixers. On Monday, we discussed the future possibilities with young big man Craig Brackins. If you missed that post, you can find it here: Brackins. On Tuesday, we talked about the future of center Spencer Hawes and whether or not the Sixers would want to re-sign the 23-year-old starting center. If you missed that post, you can find it here: Hawes.
Today, per the e-mails I've received, people seem to be interested in Evan Turner, the No. 2 pick in the 2010 NBA Draft. The question I've received more than any other? If the Sixers could make that selection again, would they still draft Turner? The question I've received the second-most amount of times? Where do the Sixers see Turner playing? At point guard, at starting shooting guard, at small forward?
The point of today's post is to paint a picture of how the franchise views Turner, at this exact moment in time. We all have opinions about how Turner's rookie year went, and nobody believes it was earth-shattering, but I'd like to toss one idea out there that we haven't fully discussed previously. Turner went through the fire. Sixers coach Doug Collins didn't hand him anything. He had a handful of games where he didn't play, per coach's decision, and we'd be naive to think those moments didn't knock the wind out of Turner. But also, in an old-fashioned way, it was probably the best thing that could have happened to him. Because he impressed people with the way he handled himself last season. Nothing was given to him and in the long run there's belief within the organization that this will make him a stronger, more dedicated, more mentally tough player than some rookies who received 35 minutes a game, a starting role, and a prime-time spot on a 20-win team.
So in answer to the most asked question: who would the Sixers draft if they could do it all again? I still think they draft Turner; I think people within the organization -- and I know I agree with this -- still believe he will raise to the level of a No. 2 pick, even if his rookie year numbers don't reflect that status immediately.
By all accounts, at Turner's exit interview the day after the loss to the Miami Heat, he made it clear he understands what he has to do this summer. And he's excited to do it. He is keeping in good contact with everyone and preparing himself for a breakout sophomore season. In addition to improving that mid-range jumper, Turner understands that he must be in absolutely ideal physical condition when he enters camp next September. Toward the end of last season, because his minutes were often sporadic and traveling isn't the healthiest style of living, Turner probably wasn't in tip-top, prime-time shape. But he will be next season. And that will go a long way toward allowing him to defend on the low block, improve his first step, and be more explosive on the floor.
He's excited for what he can do next season, and so is the franchise.
So in answer to the second most asked question: what position is Turner? I'm going to give all Sixers' fans something else to think about in saying that it's possible you might see Turner playing more small forward next season. I know we've talked about his potential for starting at the shooting guard spot, as well as how well he plays when given minutes as the main ballhandler, but if you move forward under the premise that the point guard position absolutely belongs to Jrue Holiday, then you have to ask yourself where might Turner find the most minutes? Are his skills perhaps best suited to playing the small forward? If he can get himself into prime condition, can add some strength to effectively defend on the low block, then keep an eye on Turner's potential as a small forward.
Of course, there are plenty of other factors the team must address as this summer moves forward. Right now, the starting small forward position rightfully belongs to Andre Iguodala. If the right deal doesn't come along in the next few months, then Turner's minutes will -- as they were this season -- be much more difficult to come by and will be patched together across three positions: point guard, shooting guard, and small forward.
But the main point of this blog is to answer the lingering questions about Turner: the franchise considers him a crucial piece for the future and Turner has been straight-forward with telling them he's prepping for a legitimate sophomore season.
Here are a few lineup ideas to consider:
Status Quo: 1.) Holiday, Meeks, Iguodala, Brand, Hawes. (Obviously worst case because there's no improvement.)
Idea #1: 1.) Holiday, Player X, Turner, Brand, Player X. (Obviously dependent on making a trade involving Iguodala for a scoring guard and perhaps drafting a big man.)
Idea #2: 1.) Holiday, Turner, Iguodala, Brand, Player X. (Dependent on acquiring a big man, whether by draft or trade, but could be a very difficult lineup to push because of the lack of shooting.)
We could play the lineup game all day. If you want all of the quick-hit info, please follow on Twitter. You can do that here: Deep Sixer
--Kate
Each week, Kate will check in from the road and answer fan questions about the Sixers. Click here to ask Kate a question or e-mail her at kfagan@phillynews.com.
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At the risk of being redundant, Turner is a jack of all trades but a master of none. he's not as fast and can't guard quick pgs like Holiday can. He can't shoot like Meeks or lou can and he can't finish at the rim like Iggy or Thad can. Starting him ahead of any of those guys would be a step back. When he proves he can do one of those things very well then he can start.— mtairy1- Also to everyone dissing Meeks, he may not be the greatest NBA starter but he's the only shooter we have. The Sixers best perimeter players are all slashers (Jrue, Thad, iggy, Lou). With players like that you need someone who can spot up and hit a 3. You need someone who can stretch the defense to open driving lanes for the slashers. Did you see the Bulls game, the Mavs/OKC game? Not saying Meeks is ideal but with Turners defender will play off of him and help on penetration. Until we get another 3 pt threat Meeks has to play.— mtairy1
- This is a very young team that is just beginning to scratch the surface of what they are capable of. Out side of Iggy and Brand, who are both solid NBA starters, the rest of the guys getting serious minutes are very young. Who knows how much better any of them will get? I think Thad earned a starters spot.They need to draft bigs, they have plenty of guards and SFs already.— Paul SoTX
- Trade Turner if it gets you Dwight Howard somehow. Keep Thad Young if you can as well. I don't see Turner being a star in this league, trade him while having the prospect and potential labels right now.— John H.
- I still wish we draft Favors.— WestPhillyKong
- In today's NBA, you CAN NOT have a small forward who plays below the rim. You can't. There is no amount of strength that's going to improve that aspect of his game. I don't care whether Holiday is the PG of the future, you play people where they have the greatest chance for success, not where you "need" a body. That's a recipe for losing seasons.
Evan Turner plays the game of a point guard, not a point forward. If you want to have an advantage over other NBA teams, other NBA PGs, make Turner a PG and determine between Holiday and Turner who will be the PG of the future.
Evan Turner doesn't need to be able to handle SF's down on the block, he needs to be able to rise with them both offensively and defensively. I've never seen a guy that young and that tall get his shot blocked as much and as easily as Turner.
The fact is, Evan Turner has a chance to be special, to be a difference maker as a PG, not so much as a SG or a SF. You'll just be getting by with him as a body in the SF spot while you then have to go in search of your starting SF.— PhilaPhans - At this point in time, I have no problem with Meeks. The key with him is figuring out if he performs better as a starter or coming off the bench. I thought Kate did a good job on this blog about Turner; I felt that Turner got a bit of a bad rap this year because some guys(Iguodala)had poor interactions with him on the court. Turner does have limitations, but it was the 76ers' brass who decided to keep the #2 pick and take him there. I also feel that if Kate is taking a shot at Cousins(and maybe Favors), saying Turner could become "more mentally tough player than some rookies who received 35 minutes a game, a starting role, and a prime-time spot on a 20-win team", she is spot on, but I still would have rather had Wall. Like Turner, Holiday has a lot of work to do. Holiday can hit the spot up jumper, but his passing and his dribbling in traffic need improvement. As teams take the 76ers more seriously, and zero in on the 76ers' weaknesses, more adjustments in players' games will be needed, and the need for better big players will become more apparent- Marc Gasol would be good, Sammy - anywhere but here.— 76erfn
- @chuckwagon: well, I think it's safe to say that Holiday's the PG. And put on some weight, I'm sure he'll do that, whether it be through his own intuition, or a coach/teammates' advice. And Iguodala will be gone later, if not sooner.
@amaru: Johnson was actually drafted as a 3. He's only played the 2 because of Josh Smith. I mean, his game still screams SF. He doesn't play off the ball, he just uses his crossover, and hits his jumpshots that way, or through pick and roll.— BlackFeet01 - @BigVil: OR, we could go your route, and put Turner and Young on the wing, which might actually be cool, under the right circumstances. Do you think Young can get his jumpshot back, and develop some handles an defense? He shot about 41% on threes in college, and I believe 35% in '09 or '10, so he's average, and hopefully can improve. With Holiday and Young spacing the floor, Turner would be in better shape (and that's not saying he doesn't learn to play off the ball, and get a sweet mid-range shot).— BlackFeet01
- It's about consistency with Thad he has been yanked around since he got here. Just let him stay at the for. Thad has a nice post game. They when away from what he does well. He has a spin move. He has that half hook half floater. I want to keep Thad in the paint. He can knock down the occasional trey to keep them honest but I want him in the paint.
- Thad is our 3 if we don't lose him by not matching an offer. I agree with the comments that he has the potential to improve his treys if asked. 34% while out of position at the 4 wasn't shabby in 08-10 before DC shut him down. If we allow him to languish on the bench, we will have never known his capabilities. Evan needs the ball in his hands to excel and the ball belongs to Jrue. Only two players are fixed in their positions; Jrue and EB. That's not a formula for success. If we get a big, he'll have to start with EB with Spencer as backup big. Then there's no place for Thad but at the 3. There will be a big trade involving AI9 and at least another starter and possibly,Thad if there's commitment to Evan at the 3.
We'll challenge in 2013, maybe...A reasonable target next year is a 4th seed.— philsix6 - Kate, you had me at "would they draft turner at 2nd again". But then I felt a little let down when you did not compare Turner to others available after him now with a season behind them.— frd
- Concerning Iguodala, Dei Lynam on DNL, discussed the fact that Iguodala was not overpaid and that his career numbers put him among elite company and he has great value. Considering that she is employed by Comcast and her father coached the Sixers and is close to Stefanski, one wonders is she is getting out in front of no trade of Iguodala by the Front Office or is trying to convince other teams to trade for him? I like aspects of his game, but he is the pivot around which so much depends in terms of Turner, Meeks, Hawes, and Young going forward, and thus needs to be moved, in my opinion.— chuckw
- I'm going to assume this was for our amusement Chuck. I don't think you give any credibility to the propaganda machine of Cabletown. By the way did you notice they hired former FCC commissioner Meredith Attwell after she help approve their acquisition of NBC. I know what's up with that, but it begs the question "What up wit dat?"
- I don't think Jrue, Turner, Thad grow as quickly with Iguodala on the team therefore Iguodala goes along with Speights and hopefully brings a big.— JBP
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.
