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

[mross34]

He is the college basketball version of Lebron James.

ET is great, but he is nowhere near the physical presence that Lebron is. He reminds me of Grant Hill.

 

[billmac91]

ET is great, but he is nowhere near the physical presence that Lebron is. He reminds me of Grant Hill.

I don't think that was the point. Evan is just at another level in college basketball, the way LeBron is in the NBA. John Wall is a great player, like Kobe is a great player, but Evan and LeBron are just at different levels compared to everyone else in their respective leagues.

 

[ShakerBuck]

Most impressive single season for a Basketball Buckeye that I can remember...

IMO pretty close b/w Evan and JJ. give the slight edge to JJ right now, but a final 4 will change my mind.

 

[Padraig]

but a final 4 will change my mind.

I'm still slightly in JJ's corner over Evan right now as well;based on comparing Jimmy's full career as a Buckeye to Evan's.....but if Evan were to come back for his Senior year..........



Incredible season!

POY
.

:osu:

 

[Buckskin86]

No Surprise: Ohio State's Evan Turner Named Player Of Week
Monday, March 1, 2010

COLUMBUS, Ohio ? Ohio State junior guard Evan Turner was named the Big Ten's co-player of the week, the conference announced Monday.

Turner collected his second weekly laurel in as many weeks after leading the Buckeyes to a pair of wins in Big Ten action while averaging 21.5 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists last week.

Against Penn State, Turner lit up the scoreboard with 25 points on 8-of-17 shooting while registering an unblemished 9-of-9 mark from the foul line. The swingman showcased his versatility by adding seven rebounds, seven helpers and three steals in the road win in State College, Pa.

No Surprise: Ohio State's Evan Turner Named Player Of Week | WBNS-10TV, Central Ohio News

 

[BB73]

That makes 7 Player of the Week Awards this season, and 10 overall, extending his own records in each case.

It's getting tough to keep track.

 

[daddyphatsacs]

I don't think that was the point. Evan is just at another level in college basketball, the way LeBron is in the NBA. John Wall is a great player, like Kobe is a great player, but Evan and LeBron are just at different levels compared to everyone else in their respective leagues.

Bingo. When I watch Turner dominate a game it reminds me of how Lebron does it. They both take games over when they need to and get everyone involved. Obviously Turner is not the physical force that James is, but he dominates a game like Lebron does.

 

[jwinslow]

Turner is similar to Lebron in the way he carries a mediocre team every night and makes everyone else better. Without him, both teams are mid-pack squads in their league. (maybe a little less so this year with the cavs, but the point stands overall)

 

[osubucksfan2]

So is "The Villain" another internet nickname?....

Just curious.

 

[Padraig]

Given to him by Mark Titus

 

[Dryden]

So is "The Villain" another internet nickname?....

Just curious.

Titus first mentioned it back in Feb 2009, because "The Villain" rhymed with ET's Facebook status at the time, "Evan Turner is chillin'."

Besides, Evan tried nicknaming himself "The Kid," so Titus changed it, since people shouldn't be allowed to nickname themselves.

 

[BuckTwenty]

I think he's been eligible for the Big Ten POW award in 12 weeks thus far this season (due to injury) and won it 7 of those 12 weeks. Unreal.

 

[Buckskin86]

Driven to leave a mark on OSU basketball, Evan Turner prepares for possibly his last home game Tuesday
By Doug Lesmerises, The Plain Dealer
March 01, 2010

Marvin Fong / The Plain Dealer
For Evan Turner, staying for his junior season was an easy call, even if the NBA beckoned. "I haven?t left my mark ? not winning a Big Ten title or anything, that would nag at me for the rest of my life." But with the Buckeyes surging as the postseason approaches, that may not be the case in 2010.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Evan Turner has pondered the NBA before, both as a one-and-done candidate and after his sophomore season.

Coming in as a freshman, he at least considered the idea that one season at Ohio State might be enough, before quickly learning that wasn't realistic.

"I'm sure everybody thought that; 'let's do this, let's do that,' but when you get here, it's so tough," Turner said. "I definitely wasn't ready."

Last year he was first-team All-Big Ten and projected as a first-round draft pick, and there was a moment when he was legitimately prepared to leave.

Marvin Fong / The Plain Dealer
With a stunningly rapid recovery from broken bones in his back, Evan Turner has risen on most NBA draft boards to just below Kentucky point guard John Wall. "Of course, you would love for them to come back," said OSU teammate David Lighty, "but it?s kind of selfish to say, ?If you leave, you don?t love us.??

"When I first found out I could [get drafted], I was like, 'well, that would be cool,'" Turner said. "But at the time what really stuck with me was I really haven't done anything here. I haven't left my mark -- not winning a Big Ten title or anything, that would nag at me for the rest of my life. ... And losing in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, I really didn't accomplish anything in college, and that's why I came back."

Driven to leave a mark on OSU basketball, Evan Turner prepares for possibly his last home game Tuesday | - cleveland.com

OSU men's basketball: Legacy important to Turner
Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Ohio State fans should not root for Illinois tonight, Evan Turner said yesterday, even though there's a better chance he returns next season if the Buckeyes lose and do not clinch the Big Ten title.

Turner, a junior, is projected as the No.2 pick in the NBA draft in June but has said his decision will depend on whether he gets what he wants out of this season. Yesterday, he specified what he wants.

"Definitely win a Big Ten title and try to get a national championship and try to be one of the best ever to come out of here," he said.

That's why, after giving it some thought, he decided against leaving last year after his sophomore season. Turner said David Lighty's season-ending injury cost the Buckeyes a chance to contend for the Big Ten title, and they lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament to Siena.

"What really just stuck in me was, I haven't done anything here. I haven't really left my mark," Turner said. "Not winning a Big Ten title or anything, that would nag me for the rest of my life. ... That's why I came back."

OSU men's basketball: Legacy important to Turner | BuckeyeXtra

http://www.bigtennetwork.com/videos...281261001&bclid=62932283001&bctid=69031531001

 

[Dryden]

NBA Draft Blog - ESPN

Stock Watch: Head Turner
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Posted by Chad Ford

Stock Up
Evan Turner, G/F, Ohio State

It's hard to put into words how hard NBA executives have fallen for Turner. His play since returning from a back injury has been stellar. If John Wall didn't have such superstar potential, Turner would have a legit shot at going No. 1.

Turner's do-it-all game has GMs salivating. They love players who can play three positions and Turner has proven night in and night out that he'll be able to do that in the pros. His leadership, ball handling skills, floor vision, scoring ability and rebounding ability should make him comperable to Brandon Roy at the next level.

While teams still have some concern about his deep range and a few GMs continue to remind me that they'll be taking a close look at his back MRI, I don't think it's stretch to say that Turner is close to locking down the No. 2 spot in the draft.

DeMarcus Cousins and Derrick Favors could both give him a run if the team drafting No. 2 were to need a big man. But with Cousins' personality issues and Favors' so-so production, I think Turner gets the nod in virtually every scenario.

 

[Buckskin86]

Watch list for Turner

Turner's possible NBA homes

* Timberwolves. They could use a versatile wing.
* Warriors. With Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry already on the team, Turner may not make as much sense here. But a trade is possible to acquire other needs.
* Kings. With Tyreke Evans, Omri Casspi and Donte Greene holding down the scoring on the perimeter, Turner may be a tough fit here. The Kings need a big more. But would they pass on his talent at No. 2?
* Jazz. He could fill the void of the departed Ronnie Brewer in a big way.

Evan Turner is arguably the most complete player in the college game this season for Ohio State, and he's garnering plenty Player of the Year attention.

But, for now, he's still likely to go second in the NBA Draft behind Kentucky's John Wall.

So who has a shot at him and where would he fit?

Keep an eye on the Timberwolves. If the draft plays out on the straight odds -- which doesn't always happen, mind you -- the Wolves would land the second pick in the draft as of today, and Turner fits in well with the team.

They have talented size up front in Kevin Love and Al Jefferson, and Jonny Flynn have been serviceable at the point in his rookie campaign. If Ricky Rubio comes to the Wolves in a year in and a half as GM David Kahn is projecting, Flynn becomes a solid backup.

But beyond that, the Wolves could use an upgrade on the wing and at shooting guard, and a versatile player like Turner could be a nice fit.

If the Wolves don't get the second pick, teams like Golden State, Sacramento and Utah -- who owns New York's pick this year -- could be in the mix.

NBA Rumors - NBA Trade Rumors, Free Agency Rumors and More - Rumor Central - ESPN