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G/F Evan "The Villain" Turner (2010 Naismith Winner)

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Turner may be star of turbulent draft class
Jan. 7, 2012
Written by
Martin Frank/On the NBA column

The Sixers have to be breathing a sigh of relief that in the 2010 draft they selected Evan Turner instead of DeMarcus Cousins, who was considered potentially the best player available.

It?s not that Turner has become a star or has the potential to become one. Or that Cousins won?t one day become a great player.

Turner, after all, doesn?t even start for the Sixers, who took him second overall.

Yet, in a draft class that is quickly making headlines for all the wrong reasons, Turner is proving that he can not only be a good NBA player but a good citizen as well.

Cousins, meanwhile, has gotten into arguments with coaches and teammates, leading to the firing of Sacramento Kings coach Paul Westphal on Thursday, and his attitude has been questioned on several occasions.

That dichotomy will be evident Tuesday, when the Kings play the Sixers at the Wells Fargo Center.

Turner could have pouted when he found out before the season that he would be coming off the bench, while Jodie Meeks started at shooting guard.

He didn?t.

?You don?t have any other choice,? Turner said of accepting his role. ?It?s also easy on this team. We?re all comfortable with each other. Everyone is rooting for each other, no matter if you?re starting or coming off the bench.?

Turner had 21 points in the Sixers? 101-93 win over New Orleans on Wednesday and played almost the entire fourth quarter.

For the season, he is averaging 10.0 points and 5.7 rebounds in 26.3 minutes, which are almost starter?s minutes. Turner is often on the court in the fourth quarter because he is a good perimeter defender, and he has found a way to fit in with Andre Iguodala and Jrue Holiday, which he struggled with last season.

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http://www.courierpostonline.com/ar...raft-class?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Sports|s
 
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NBA Notes: Sixers' Turner has some Magic
January 8, 2012

We?ve seen it thousands of times on old highlight reels. In fact, it seems as if it?s one of the signature moves in the history of the NBA to placed next to the logo, Jerry West, and Michael Jordan?s tongue wagging as he drove to the hoop.

How many times did Magic Johnson pull down a rebound and then head up court without an outlet pass, choosing instead to fire a no-look pass in traffic to James Worthy or Kareem?

Can you picture the Sixers? Evan Turner channeling his inner Magic Johnson to become a one-man fast break? Doug Collins can, and it all starts with a rebound. As far as Collins is concerned, there are very few guards who can pile up the rebounds the way Turner can.

?I think he?s one of the best in the league at his position,? Collins said. ?He got eight defensive rebounds last night in a critical time when we were trying to get defensive rebounds.?

Turner added seven more rebounds in Saturday night?s 97-62 victory over the Toronto Raptors and is averaging a modest, 5.4 boards per game this season. However, spread out over 48 minutes Turner grabs rebounds at a rate of 11 per game.

For a team like the Sixers without a dominant presence in the low block, Turner?s ability to rebound is that much more important. Without Turner crashing the boards on the defensive end, Collins would be in a pretty big bind.

?We are not a good defensive rebounding team so it?s very important for him to go in there and clean up the boards,? Collins said. ?And really, when he plays some of his best offensive games is when he defensive rebounds the ball and turns to bring the ball up and attack in the open court.?

That was the Magic move and that?s sort of the role Collins has in mind for his second-year guard.

?I always harken back to when Magic Johnson was a rookie, he was a great, great defensive rebounder and he would rebound and turn and push that ball and all of a sudden the Lakers were on a fast break,? Collins said. ?We?re encouraging Evan that every time he defensive rebounds that ball to get out and push the ball into the open court. He?s done a pretty good job of getting the ball to the foul line, pulling up and making shots, but his rebounding is a big, big part of our team.?

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http://www.csnphilly.com/blog/sixer...mparisons-to-Magic?blockID=627130&feedID=2365
 
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Turner?s role with Sixers beginning to take shape

By Dennis Deitch
[email protected]
Posted: 01/13/12

PHILADELPHIA ? There are times when Evan Turner thinks about that fateful day 18 months ago when the NBA Draft Lottery gave the 76ers the second overall pick in the 2010 draft and married the Ohio State star to Philadelphia for the start of his NBA career.
Friday night was a good time to ponder what destiny handed him, since the Sixers were playing the Washington Wizards, the only team to fare better than them when those lottery results were revealed two years ago.
With that pick the Wizards selected Kentucky guard John Wall. Let?s just say D.C. hasn?t done much for Wall?s growth as a player.
Last season Wall was the Rookie of the Month in each of the final four months of the season and finished the year averaging 16.4 points and 8.3 assists ? albeit for a truly awful team that finished 23-59.
The Wizards are somehow worse this season, and Wall so far has regressed. Washington entered the night 1-9, and Wall?s numbers are down in virtually every category (13.4 ppg, 7.1 apg, .338 FG pct., zero 3-pointers).
Turner, meanwhile, has steadily had his role develop. After averaging 7.2 points and 3.9 rebounds as a rookie, through nine games those numbers have risen to 10.6 and 6.3. After shooting .425 from the floor last season, he?s up to .473 this year and has become just as much of a bench cog as Thad Young and Lou Williams.
The day of the draft lottery Turner?s main concern was climatological. But he quickly learned to appreciate the card he was dealt.
?I was hoping I didn?t go to a cold place like Minnesota,? Turner said. ?When Philadelphia popped up I was like, ?Hey, Philly?s not too bad.?
?One thing for sure is I?ve learned how to play the game more. I?ve learned how to cut turnovers out of my game, and just to work through things. I had to work through things, fight through things. I wasn?t handed anything to start my career, and I think I?m a better player and person because of it. Better days are definitely ahead.?
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http://www.timesherald.com/article/20120113/SPORTS03/120119754/-1/NEWS
 
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Turner sits out: Evan Turner was a late scratch Monday after the thigh bruise suffered Saturday night continued to bother him during warmups.

Collins said he wasn?t taking any chances with Turner, who?s in his second season.

?He went out there, and the muscle got tight, so it was hard for him to bend his leg,? Collins said. ?That could be one of those things where it?s a nagging injury and you go out there and get hit again, and you?re looking at 2-3 weeks.

?If Evan is not right physically, there?s no need to put him out there. You?re putting him in a position to fail. Maybe if he?s a grizzled veteran of 12 years, he might grind through something like that.?
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http://www.courierpostonline.com/ar...-Olympic-team?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Sports
 
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Turner plays confident, scores big in Sixers' loss
January 19, 2012

When Evan Turner was drafted with the No. 2 overall pick last year, many thought games like the one he had on Wednesday night would be the norm.

Oh sure, Turner posted some impressive numbers, going for 20 points with 11 rebounds in 28 minutes, but it was the way in which he went about getting those digits. Turner was aggressive and confident. When he got the ball, no one wanted him to give it up nor was anyone expecting a turnover.

Turner was in control.

?Evan was spectacular,? coach Doug Collins said. ?I thought during the first half he was getting his legs beneath him after being out, but once he did he played fabulous.?

The second-year guard posted his second double-double of the year and cracked 20 points for the second time, too. After sitting out of Monday afternoon?s game with a left thigh contusion, Turner drove to the basket at will in the 108-104 overtime loss to the Nuggets Wednesday night. Twice during the third quarter he drove to the basket and scored while being fouled.

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http://www.csnphilly.com/blog/sixer...-scores-big-in-Six?blockID=634088&feedID=2365
 
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Sixers' Turner flashing No. 2-pick potential
January 19, 2012

When Evan Turner was drafted with the No. 2 overall pick last year, many thought games like the one he had on Wednesday night would be the norm.

Oh sure, Turner posted some impressive numbers, going for 20 points with 11 rebounds in 28 minutes, but it was the way in which he went about getting those digits. Turner was aggressive and confident. When he got the ball, no one wanted him to give it up nor was anyone expecting a turnover.

Turner was in control.

?Evan was spectacular,? coach Doug Collins said. ?I thought during the first half he was getting his legs beneath him after being out, but once he did he played fabulous.?

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http://www.csnphilly.com/blog/sixer...-No-2-pick-potenti?blockID=634088&feedID=2365
 
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Sixers' Turner succeeds with refocused effort
By Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY
Philadelphia 76ers guard Evan Turner acknowledges 2010-11 was a rough rookie season.
By Eileen Blass, USA TODAY


Evan Turner refocused on his shooting technique in the offseason, and it's paying dividends in an improved second season for him.

He was tough on himself, bothered by criticism of a performance that didn't always merit being the No. 2 pick in the 2010 draft.

Sixers coach Doug Collins asked much from Turner: play shooting guard, his natural position, but also play point guard and small forward. It was a lot for a rookie on a deep, playoff-bound team to digest.

"When you come out of college and you're the national player of the year and the No. 2 pick, you have high expectations," Sixers guard Lou Williams said of Turner, who came from Ohio State. "That weighed on him.
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Follow Jeff Zillgitt on Twitter at @usat_jzillgitt. To get the latest sports news from USA TODAY, including game results, columns and features, follow us on Twitter at @USATODAYSports.

"He's put all of that behind him and just concentrated on being a basketball player."

Turner began to show flashes at the end of last season, including two games against the Miami Heat in the playoffs, and he has had strong all-around games this season: 16 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists in a win against the Sacramento Kings; 20 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, two steals in a loss to the Denver Nuggets; seven points, five assists, four rebounds, three steals in a win against the Washington Wizards.

Inconsistent minutes have been replaced by consistent playing time, and Turner has a defined role on a deep, unselfish 12-6 team that is in first place in the Eastern Conference's Atlantic Division ahead of the struggling Boston Celtics and New York Knicks. He is averaging 10.3 points (7.2 a season ago), 6.2 rebounds (vs. 3.9 ) and 2.9 assists (vs. 2.0).

"Just getting back to basketball and not worrying about what people were saying and being honest with myself in regards to what I needed to do to get better," Turner, 23, said.

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http://www.usatoday.com/sports/bask...taions-aside-with-refocused-effort/52808634/1
 
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Philadelphia 76ers Guard Evan Turner is Far from a Bust
By Brett David Roberts, Yahoo! Contributor Network 3

Many felt early on in Evan Turner's rookie campaign last year that he was going to be a complete bust. He struggled very badly in summer league, was horrible in exhibition games, and couldn't ever seem to adjust to the NBA schemes on offense. His ball handling went to waste because he didn't understand where he was supposed to be on the court, and he looked confused at times.

That has changed this season in his second year, and a big reason why is because he is hitting his shots, to make it quite simple. Magic coach Stan Van Gundy joked about it, saying "When guys hit their shots, people think they are playing well, and then when they don't, people think they are playing poorly when they are doing the exact same thing but just missing the shot."

So it has gone for Turner. This season, due to improved shooting mechanics, Turner is shooting 45.2% from the field and 73.5% from 9 feet and closer, up over 20% from that figure last season. That means Turner is hitting the shots he should hit. He is not, however, hitting his threes, as he shoots a very poor 21% from behind the arc. He can improve that, though, as many NBA players have become very good shooters who had no jumper early in their career (points in case, Jason Kidd, Nick Anderson, et al.,).

Turner says he is :"more comfortable with it (his shot)?and mechanics are the key?I get my shot off quicker now." That is essential, and good shooters realize that a quicker shot means a more open and more clean look at the basket. Anyone at all familiar with the best two three point shooters in NBA history, Ray Allen and Reggie Miller, knows that both have extremely quick releases and were able to get off shots that were on-balance while winding off screens. As to whether Turner can ever reach that level of competency is anyone's guess, but all indications are that he may put in the hard work to do so.

Turner is averaging 6.2 rebounds per game in his 26 minutes a night, which ranks him among the top rebounding guards in the league. That value is important and helps the Sixers prevent second chance points, which is one of their strengths as a basketball team on a regular basis.

So, for all of those doubters early on, I would think most are starting to realize Turner is going to have at least an above average career and not be a bust. I am reserving judgement on whether or not he can ever become an all All-Star, but I could see Turner averaging 15 to 18 a game at some point, possibly as early as next season. For right now, he is putting up 14.0 points per-36 minutes. That's not too bad for a guy most were saying lacked the aggressiveness to ever succeed at the NBA level.

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http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ycn-10896175
 
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Evan Turner to compete in Rising Stars Challenge during All-Star Weekend - 2/8/2012

PHILADELPHIA, PA. ? FEBRUARY 8, 2012 ? The NBA announced the list of participants for the first-ever BBVA Rising Stars Challenge today and Sixers guard Evan Turner was one of 18 players selected by the league?s assistant coaches, with each team submitting one ballot. Formally known as the Rookie Challenge, the new format will feature rookies and sophomores mixed together.

"We are thrilled to get the great news regarding Evan Turner?s selection to the NBA Rising Stars Challenge,? said Sixers Head Coach Doug Collins. ?He has worked very hard to improve all aspects of his game and he plays a vital role to our team?s success. On behalf of the entire 76ers organization, I can?t begin to express how proud and happy we are for Evan.?

Turner, the second overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, has appeared in all but one game this season and is averaging 9.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 25.6 minutes per game. He is currently the only player in the league averaging at least 9 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists while playing under 26 minutes a game. Turner will be the fourth player on the current roster to compete in the event as a Sixer, joining Andre Iguodala (2005, 2006), Thaddeus Young (2009) and Jrue Holiday (2011).
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http://www.nba.com/sixers/news/evan_turner__compete__risi_2012_02_08.html

http://www.nba.com/allstar/2012/rising-stars-12/index.html
 
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Michael Arace commentary: Turner plays role in surprising start by 76ers
Sunday February 12, 2012

arace-2-12-art-gphg14nk-1nba-los-angeles-lakers-at-philadelphia-76ers-jpg-1.jpg


CLEVELAND ? Two years ago, Evan Turner won the Wooden, Naismith, Robertson, NABC and AP National Player of the Year awards as a junior at Ohio State.

Two nights ago, he played 11 minutes, 39 seconds as a sophomore for the Philadelphia 76ers, in a one-point loss to the LA Clippers, in the City of Brotherly Love.

Turner is still in transition. He was drafted No. 2 overall in 2010, joined an abysmal team, and had a disappointing rookie season. Some whispered that he was a bust. Slowly, that sort of talk is being squelched.

Last night, Turner and the Sixers visited Quicken Loans Arena for a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. An hour before it started, Turner was up in the stands, surrounded by fans, posing for pictures, signing autographs. Chicago is where he was raised, but Cleveland is closer to Columbus, and he is well-met when the Sixers visit the Cavs.

?They like me better here than in Chicago,? Turner said with a smile.

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http://www.dispatch.com/content/sto...-plays-role-in-surprising-start-by-76ers.html
 
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Posted: Tue, Feb. 14, 2012
Turner tries to cope with reduced minutes
BY BOB COONEY
[email protected]

CHARLOTTE - If you think an NBA player is ever happy with his playing time, you'd be sorely mistaken. You don't become an athlete at that level without having a fierce competitive nature.

Evan Turner, the 76ers' second-year swingman, is sort of in that position now. Turner, who played 14 minutes, 42 seconds last night against the host Bobcats, averaged a little more than 17 minutes in his previous three games. In the team's blowout win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday, Turner played 22:32, but that included 12 in the fourth quarter, when the game was already out of reach. Sort of meaningless minutes, they were.

Last night, Turner was the fourth sub off coach Doug Collins' bench, entering with 2 minutes, 32 seconds left in the first quarter. Turner finished with four points and four rebounds as the Sixers improved to 20-9 with a 98-89 win over the lowly Bobcats (3-25).

Asked whether he thought Turner was slumping right now, coach Doug Collins replied: "I don't think that. I think what happens sometimes is we get caught with teams, and it's hard for me to take Dre [Andre Iguodala] off the floor if he's playing against one of the [opposition's] key guys. A lot of times, he gets matched up with a guy, and I want him to stay on that guy until the other coach rests [that key player] as well.

"And sometimes what ends up happening is Evan might not get in until the last minute or two of the third quarter or the last minute or two of the first quarter. Sometimes, we get caught a little bit like that.

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Read more: http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/139269013.html#ixzz1mMb7NPXD


Posted: Monday, February 13, 2012
While minutes lessen, Sixers Turner remains patient

Evan Turner is no different than any other player in the NBA, or any kid playing basketball at any level of competition. Anyone who is playing the game wants to be on the court for as many minutes as possible. Problem is, there just haven't been many minutes for Turner lately as coach Doug Collins has played just over an average of 17 minutes a game over the last three.

"There's a recession, baby. We're like the stock market," said Turner with a laugh, before turning a little more serious. "I don't know. It's just one of those situations and we have to do what's best for the team and certain situations coach tries to do what's best out there and that's it."

Turner spoke this morning after the team's shootaround at Time Warner Cable Arena as they prepare for tonight's game against the Charlotte Bobcats (3-24). When asked if he ever gets explanations as to why he might not be seeing the floor as often as he likes, Turner said: "I don't know. You just have to move on with each game. We have so many games coming up. It is how it is. You just have to be a professional about it. You have to just be prepared. That's pretty much what I took from Noc (little used Andres Nocioni) - you've just got to be prepared when your number's called. Last year it happened to him a few times but he was always ready. That's what you have to do."
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Read more: http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/sixerville/139224289.html#ixzz1mMarxTkT
 
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Posted: Fri, Feb. 17, 2012
Turner stays positive through decline of playing time
By John N. Mitchell
Inquirer Staff Writer

As he sat in front of his locker stall in the Amway Center in Orlando, you could almost see Evan Turner's mind at work as he digested the question concerning the dip in his playing time.

This was just before he played 26 minutes and scored six points and grabbed eight rebounds in the 76ers' 103-87 loss to a hot-shooting Magic team Wednesday night.

"I don't know," said Turner, averaging almost 21 minutes per game in February compared with the 26 he logged in January. "I have never asked [coach Doug Collins]. What I don't want to do is become the squeaky wheel that needs oiling.

"Look, we're winning games and I'm happy," the second-year player continued. "So I'm just going to continue to support my teammates and play my best and do what I can do to help my team win when I'm out there. That's about it."

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http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/139490283.html


Turner on Team Chuck for Rising Stars game
February 16, 2012


The Sixers are sticking together during All-Star weekend.

Sixers guard Evan Turner was tabbed for Charles Barkley's team in the draft for the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge that will take place on Feb. 24. The game, which typically featured the best rookies against the top sophomores in the NBA, saw the format switched to a draft this season. Shaquille O'Neal selected the other squad.

Turner is averaging 8.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists a game for the first-place Sixers this season.

Joining Turner on Team Chuck are New Jersey's Marshon Brooks, Sacramento's DeMarcus Cousins, Indiana's Paul George, Utah's Gordon Hayward, Cleveland's Kyrie Irving, San Antonio's Kawhi Leonard and Tiago Splitter, Washington's John Wall and Minnesota's Derrick Williams.

They will oppose a Team Shaq roster of the Los Angeles Clippers' Blake Griffin, Phoenix's Markieff Morris, Minnesota's Ricky Rubio, Cleveland's Tristan Thompson, Charlotte's Kemba Walker, Miami's Norris Cole, Detroit's Brandon Knight and Greg Monroe and New York's Landry Fields and Jeremy Lin.
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http://www.csnphilly.com/blog/sixer...for-Rising-Stars-ga?blockID=652696&feedID=694

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3amy31oyaNg"]BBVA Rising Stars Draft [Team Shaq vs Team Chuck] (02.16.2012) - YouTube[/ame]
 
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