<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Hedo Turkoglu just wants to play basketball. For the past two years, Turkoglu has established himself as a utility guy for the Orlando Magic. He has played nearly every role the squad could ask of him ? ranging from sixth man to starter ? and that role, or roles, is ok with Turkoglu; so long as he is on the court. ?It feels good. It always feels great when you are a starter,? Turkoglu said. ?But I was comfortable with my sixth man role too. With what I did last year, especially at the end of the season, it really gave me confidence that I can do things when I am a starter too.? Make no mistake about it ? NBA players want to be on the court, and Turkoglu is no exception. After starting 44 games in the 2003-04 season with the San Antonio Spurs, he signed as a free agent in the summer of 2004 with the Magic and started only 11 games in his first year in Orlando. And then last season, Turkoglu came alive, setting career-bests in scoring (14.9 ppg.), assists (2.8 apg.), field goal percentage (45.4), three-point percentage (40.3) and free-throw shooting (86.1). During that campaign, Turkoglu was part of the starting five in 59 games, and so far this season, he has been in the starting rotation in every game. ?My role has changed a lot on this team,? he said. ?I am getting more minutes and I have to do my best from the beginning instead of coming off the bench.? The mental preparation of being a starter is only one thing Turkoglu has had to adjust in the early going this year. ?I have to carry more stuff instead of scoring. I have to improve my defense because I have to guard a lot of good (small forwards) out there, a lot of scorers, and I just have to all-around try to help the team in all things. That?s my role right now. I am doing ok so far, but it is not satisfying me because I am not at the place I want to be yet. I am just going to keep working on that and do my best to help the team.? Turkoglu is doing just that by chipping in 10.3 ppg., 3.3 rpg. and 2.6 apg. through 18 games this season, and he is achieving those numbers even while being bothered by flu-like symptoms that have plaugued him on and off since last year. But, he says it is just another obstacle he has overcome in order to find his way on the court. ?I have played through it ? that is my personality. If I have a cold and when I am hurt, I try to fight through it. Even if I was sick I still could play good, and I just have to fight though it and not think about it much and just be out there with my teammates and battle with them.? That mentality has not only garnered Turkoglu respect within the Magic organization, it has also made the entire NBA take notice. This year, for the first time in his career, Turkoglu has his name on the official all-star ballot. ?I am not really even thinking about that,? Turkoglu said of the honor. ?I don?t play for the all-star game because sometimes it can help you out and sometimes it can hurt you. I?m not really worried about it. It?s my first time ? it is good for me. I was really happy to hear that. Like I said, I am just going to do my best, like I have been doing the past two years for this organization and this team to get better. Right now I am in the starting lineup and I am trying to do my best as a starter. If it comes, it comes, and if it doesn?t, it doesn't.? But even with a potential all-star appearance in his future, Turkoglu is not taking his eye off of the ultimate prize ? helping the Magic to their first postseason berth in three years. And if that happens, Turkoglu will get to do even more of what he loves to do ? just play basketball.</div> Source This article appeared on the Magic website and I figured I would share it with you guys. Turk has been big for us this season and it takes quality role players to be a great team. Hopefully he can keep it up.
yea im very impressed with hedo's play.. it does seem like he is finally comfortable and has established his role with the team. He has stepped up his defense dramatically which is helping us win games. He isnt forcing shots like he was in the past and not "hogging" it like he was. The shots he has taken are great shots. They are wide open and usually his 3's are great to pull momentum to the offense. Let's not forget he saved us one game already this year with a buzzer beater. Although he still needs to work on not traveling all time
