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.
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 ...
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...
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
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".
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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
I can see why Olshey brought him in. We needed another ball handler in this offense. Someone to free up CJ and Dame.
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
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.