Tip-In Points Isolation: Evan Turner
Full disclosure: my sister went to junior high and part of high school with Evan Turner. Anything my sister likes, I like. Yes, even “Twilight.” Yes, even “Grey’s Anatomy.” Yes, even her boyfriend who I’ve met only a few times. Anyway, I like Turner. Maybe even something a bit more than “like.” Call it “lork.” We’re going with lork. So take my forecasting here with a grain of lork.
And hopefully, my lork is second only to the well deserved lork in Philadelphia for this guy. Turner could make Philly a halfway decent franchise again, even if that franchise hasn’t quite figured itself out yet. It’s still asking questions about Andre Iguodala‘s usefulness, still making trades that involves Andres Nocioni wearing a Sixers jersey next season and still favoring Jrue Holiday as the starting PG over Lou Williams. Maybe these issues will get sorted out before the season tips off, maybe not, but the organization has cemented this rookie from Ohio State into its starting lineup for next year.
Turner averaged 20 points, 9 boards and 6 assists in 36 minutes per game last season. He also shot over 50 percent from the floor while also earning nearly two steals and a block per contest. At 6’7″, he’ll be longer than most of the SGs he’ll face (good) but with Doug Collins encouraging Iguodala to shoot fewer threes and get to the line more, Turner may be asked to stay outside more often than he’s used to (bad). This might help his threes, but it’ll almost certainly puncture his FG%. But he can do it. Oh my lork, can he do it! Also, my sister says he was down to Earth when he was 13 and smiled a lot. I’m not sure how that translates into fantasy, but a smiley mug seems more positive than negative, no?
… Unless she said Turner has a Miley mug, in which case I might question both his musical tastes and drink container options.
Bottom line: Even if Iguodala stays, Collins will play him at SF and Turner at SG. Turner will get solid minutes, and his talent will carry him through an occasionally bumpy, but overall successful rookie year.
Bottom line, part 2: He’ll have a place on fantasy teams, but he’ll be a middle round choice at best. Don’t get caught reaching. Even if Iggy goes, it’s unlikely that they’ll get anyone who will threaten Turner’s spot in the starting five. Williams, Willie Green and Royal Ivey won’t either. This is Turner’s lawn to mow, bro. Though in Philly, they call it cuttin’ the grass. This is how he’ll chop it down: 30.6 mpg / .459 / .770 / 14.4 pts / 0.8 3pt / 4.9 rbd / 4.5 ast / 1.6 stl / 0.8 blk / 3.0 tov
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Photo courtesy of Flickr
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