I’ve been sitting on this topic for a while this summer, but I think it is a right time to bring up the mysterious case of Evan Turner. Evan Turner, who was the second overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2010 NBA Draft, has not played up to his full potential so far in the NBA since coming out of Ohio State.
Now there are many reasons why Evan Turner hasn’t reached his so-called full potential. One reason could be former Sixers coach Doug Collins didn’t put Turner in the best position to play right away. Doug Collins has a thing about not playing rookies right away and it had showed through his tenure with the Sixers. Evan Turner was one of those casualties in that in his rookie year, he would play sporadically and couldn’t get a feel for much of the season, but he showed up in the playoffs when they played against the Miami Heat.
In the 2010-11 season, Turner only started in 14 out of 78 games. Another reason why Turner has not reached his full potential is his shooting. Evan Turner is known for not having good jump-shot form and it really hinders him to this day in the NBA. A couple of seasons ago, Turner worked out with Philadelphia University’s Herb Magee, who is a coaching legend in the basketball world and a great college basketball coach and teacher. So thinking to yourself, Evan Turner’s shot must have gotten better right?
It actually did, his points per game went up each season from his rookie year, from 7.2 to 9.4 and finally last season at 13.3. Turner still has a lot of work to do on his 3-point shooting, but that was a career best last season, shooting 36.5 percent. Finally, the last reason why Turner has not reached his so called full potential is the players around him. When Turner came into the league, the Sixers were loaded with the players that needed the ball in their hands at all time such as Louis Williams, Andre Iguodala and Jrue Holiday. All of those players are now gone either via free agency or trade.
With that being said, without those players around Turner he can solidify himself as the veteran on this team and secondary ball handler on this team next to rookie point guard Michael Carter-Williams. The Sixers will be looking for Turner to make plays this season as new coach Brett Brown has told Turner he will not be traded, but let’s be real … we can only take that response with a grain of salt.
Looking at the Sixers 2013-14 roster so far, Turner is one of the highest-paid players on the team and it’s time for him to start acting like it. Turner needs to be more aggressive taking the ball to hoop, not complaining about foul calls and lead by example. Lead by example is key for Turner because he will have young guards such as Michael Carter-Williams and Tony Wroten around him. They will look to see what he does on the court and try to emulate that and Turner has to be mindful of that.
If Turner reaches his so-called full potential this upcoming season, then general manager Sam Hinkie might not end up trading him, but if he doesn’t perform and doesn’t lead by example, then Turner can pack his bags and he will be on his way out of Philadelphia.