Evan Turner

Discussion in 'Portland Trail Blazers' started by MickZagger, Oct 21, 2017.

  1. MickZagger

    MickZagger Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2008
    Messages:
    33,502
    Likes Received:
    11,927
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    UPS
    Location:
    V-Town Baby
    Honestly, I was one of his biggest doubters last year. I liked what he brought on defense, but thought his offensive was awful.

    His contract looks pretty reasonable to me now. I know its only 2 games, but also going off the end of the season stretch last year. I think it just took him awhile to get accustomed to the offense. He's a great niche player to have, great 6th man.
     
  2. HailBlazers

    HailBlazers RipCity

    Joined:
    Nov 11, 2008
    Messages:
    18,845
    Likes Received:
    15,508
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    PDX
    Yep Yep.
     
    SportsAndWhine and Chris Craig like this.
  3. SIeepwalker

    SIeepwalker The lone sane poster

    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2015
    Messages:
    6,453
    Likes Received:
    9,551
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Strasbourg, France
  4. Blazinaway

    Blazinaway Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2010
    Messages:
    10,500
    Likes Received:
    3,822
    Trophy Points:
    113
    I like what I am seeing, lets give it 10-15 games
     
    UKRAINEFAN, Chris Craig and Driew like this.
  5. joeBlazers

    joeBlazers Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2016
    Messages:
    1,465
    Likes Received:
    1,252
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Do we now have the Big 4? E.T., Dame, CJ and Jusuf? We are better than those fools in OKC ... they only have the Big 3. And in Houston, the Big 2 ... and in SA, the big 1 ....
    We are younger, can score in more ways, are very serious about winning and we even have a freaking bench and some amazing Rookies ...
     
    KingSpeed, Mr Sly Dog and tlongII like this.
  6. Rastapopoulos

    Rastapopoulos Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2008
    Messages:
    37,387
    Likes Received:
    21,980
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    Ballin'
    If ET gets bumped up on the strength of 2 games, then I'm afraid Nurkic has to get bumped out. But on the upside, Aminu is a top-10 rebounder...
     
  7. Rastapopoulos

    Rastapopoulos Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2008
    Messages:
    37,387
    Likes Received:
    21,980
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    Ballin'
    So what's changed? I see a LOT of post-ups for Turner now - is that a change?
     
  8. Boob-No-More

    Boob-No-More Why you no hire big man coach?

    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2008
    Messages:
    19,094
    Likes Received:
    22,762
    Trophy Points:
    113
    I think Terry has figured out how to let Evan Turner be Evan Turner and maximize what he can do vs. what Stotts wanted him to do. Last year it seemed like Stotts wanted Turner to be a Batum replacement. That didn't work out so well. Nic has always been much more perimeter oriented and Turner has been more of an old school drive and post wing.

    I'd be real curious to see what Turner's average FG distance it this year. Unfortunately, there isn't any 2017-18 shooting data listed on basketball-reference, yet. However, what is listed (obvious small sample size disclaimers) is that Turner's 3PAr (3-point fielded goal attempt rate), which skyrocketed to a career high of .214 last year is down to .150 this year - much more inline with Turner's career average 3PAr of .139.

    Also, Turner's FTr (Free Throw Rate), which dipped to .187 last year is up to .300 so far this season. Drawing fouls at a much higher rate would also be indicative of more field goals attempted in the paint.

    It's only been two games, but it does seem that Stotts' is playing more to Turner's strengths this year than last. His role and style of play are much more similar to what they were in BOS, but so far (against some pretty weak competition), Turner is even more efficient than he was as a Celtic.

    I'm actually surprised it took Stotts this long to figure out how to use Turner effectively. He's usually pretty good at bringing out the best in role players with limited skill sets (Aminu, Crabbe, etc.). All the talk at the time of the signing about Turner being a terrible fit in POR sure looked to be accurate based on the way Terry tried to use him last year. If Turner continues to produce this year, all that talk will disappear.

    Evan Turner has a unique skill set (big guard that is a great ball handler and a solid defender), but his poor 3-point shooting prevents him from being the type of 3 & D player that is all the rage these days. So, let him play to his strengths and don't force him to be something he is not. Both Terry and Evan seem to have figured that out.

    Between Turner and Connaughton on the wings, Davis returning to form and the additions of Swanigan and Collins, our bench is looking so much better and so much more balanced than it's been in a LONG time.

    BNM
     
  9. Rastapopoulos

    Rastapopoulos Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2008
    Messages:
    37,387
    Likes Received:
    21,980
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    Ballin'
    Remember how, when Durant was a rookie, they played him out of position at SG? (And they played Oladipo at PG.) Maybe it's a common coaching philosophy to say "hey, I'll expand x's skillset by playing them a way they're not used to, and who cares, we're not going to win much this year anyway".
     
  10. Denny Crane

    Denny Crane It's not even loaded! Staff Member Administrator

    Joined:
    May 24, 2007
    Messages:
    72,957
    Likes Received:
    10,620
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    Never lost a case
    Location:
    Boston Legal
    Turner was the #2 pick in an underwhelming draft. He was considered to be an Iggy-lite at the time - at least that's how I remember the comparisons.

    He's never been the superstar that people expected him to become, but he's skilled at all aspects of the game except 3pt shooting.

    I was quite pleased when NO signed him. His defense alone is of great value to this team. His ballhandling skills allows Stotts to go without a real backup PG (yeah, CJ moves over, but we don't lose the two ballhandlers at G).

    We played against a team with two small guards. Their SG is 6'4", and maybe that's being generous. Having a guy who can post up those smaller SGs means easy and high percentage baskets.

    Kevin Love didn't exactly perform up to expectations his first season with the Cavs, but he's turned into a solid #2 or #3 on that team behind LeBron. It seems Turner is doing likewise: fitting in after an awkward first season.

    One thing for certain, between Crabbe and Turner, so far NO's choice to keep ET has been the right one.
     
    dviss1, mook, SIeepwalker and 3 others like this.
  11. Natebishop3

    Natebishop3 Don't tread on me!

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2008
    Messages:
    90,157
    Likes Received:
    52,173
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Portland, OR
    I have been quietly supporting him since the signing. I know he's a good player, and I have been hoping he would integrate, and it looks like he is finally starting to settle in. I think getting injured last year really set him back. He had just started to play well when he went down.
     
    Denny Crane likes this.
  12. BrianFromWA

    BrianFromWA Editor in Chief Staff Member Editor in Chief

    Joined:
    Sep 9, 2008
    Messages:
    26,060
    Likes Received:
    9,014
    Trophy Points:
    113
    'Cuz PJ Carlesimo? :dunno:
     
  13. JFizzleRaider

    JFizzleRaider Sad Panda Global Moderator

    Joined:
    Jul 15, 2007
    Messages:
    12,870
    Likes Received:
    5,188
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Who Knows?
    I'm happy to have him. I was a hater when we signed him and I'm still not a huge fan of his game. But hey, if he keeps playing as he is and helping us win I'll be a big fan.
     
    Eastoff likes this.
  14. Pinwheel1

    Pinwheel1 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 13, 2008
    Messages:
    21,008
    Likes Received:
    13,564
    Trophy Points:
    113
    No that has not changed. Does anyone not remember how well he was playing before he got hurt last year? He had some big games.
    Now I will admit he forced things too much last year at the beginning of the season. And his 3pt shot has improved after working on it this summer. But he has always been hard nosed defender who never backs down, a good passer, with decent handles, a good shooter off the dribble up to about 15 feet, a good post up player , and a high BBIQ.

    Right now he is shooting 42% from deep. That won't last but if he can hit 33-35% for the season....what's not to like about his play?
     
    Natebishop3 and Denny Crane like this.
  15. Bronzewyrm

    Bronzewyrm No Fks Given

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2017
    Messages:
    43
    Likes Received:
    75
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Occupation:
    Auto Restoration & Customs
    Location:
    Independence,Or
    Vonleh is the key. ET, Noah, and either Nurk, Zach, EZ, or Biggie. I cant wait to see our bench production when noah comes back. ET did a damn good job on the Freek, earned a aspirin and a day off in my book. Im glad we have him and am looking forward to the evolution.

    Bronze.
     
  16. Gronk Brady

    Gronk Brady Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2016
    Messages:
    1,531
    Likes Received:
    1,501
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Turner is living up to his contract so far this year... I feel as tho he never really had a chance last year to live up to his potential between the injury and splitting time with Crabbe
     
    Denny Crane likes this.
  17. Denny Crane

    Denny Crane It's not even loaded! Staff Member Administrator

    Joined:
    May 24, 2007
    Messages:
    72,957
    Likes Received:
    10,620
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    Never lost a case
    Location:
    Boston Legal
    He's not competing with Crabbe for PT.
     
    Natebishop3 likes this.
  18. ripcityboy

    ripcityboy Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2013
    Messages:
    12,934
    Likes Received:
    10,797
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    self employed
    Location:
    pdx, or, usa.
    I can see why Olshey brought him in. We needed another ball handler in this offense. Someone to free up CJ and Dame.
     
    Eastoff, Pinwheel1 and BigGameDamian like this.
  19. ehizzy3

    ehizzy3 RIP mgb

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2008
    Messages:
    9,966
    Likes Received:
    6,100
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Hillsboro/Bogotá
    I feel like this year he's playing the batum role a lot better than last year. He's an extra ball handler since we don't really play a backup pg. He guards the best perimeter player of the other team like batum would. He posts up smaller players a lot better than batum could ever do but he doesnt have the 3pt ability.

    I'm quite happy with him so far
     
  20. mook

    mook The 2018-19 season was the best I've seen

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2008
    Messages:
    8,300
    Likes Received:
    3,912
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    Buy a recipe binder at CookbookPeople.com
    Location:
    Jolly Olde England
    Yeah, it's a similar role, but a completely different style. Batum was always a pick-and-roll guy because he wasn't that strong but had a very credible perimeter shot, and a certain graceful way of getting near the rim.

    Turner's not that great at that style because traditionally his three has been terrible, and he's not fast enough off the dribble (like, say, a younger Tony Parker). If the defense knows it can go under every single time and not worry about dives to the rim, it's just not much of a threat.

    Turner's strength and post game make him a much better threat in the Andre Miller sense.
     
    BBert and Eastoff like this.

Share This Page