The Sixers were an absolute mess. After a miserable 27-55 season, they were searching desperately for a solution.
They hoped the answer would come in the form of their 1st round pick, Evan Turner. Even with a draft class deep with talent, they could not pass up Turner. The former Ohio State guard swept every major college basketball award in his Junior year.
The Evan Turner hype train was rolling, and the Sixers could not help but get on board.
Doug Collins decided it would be best to work Turner in off the bench his rookie year, and allow Jodie Meeks to start.
Some nights, Turner would be a spark plug off the bench. Other nights, Turner just could not do anything right. Turner's entire rookie season was filled with inconsistency, and his playing time reflected that. Turner averaged 7.2 points a game, in just 23 minutes of action.
Evan realized if he wanted to crack the starting lineup, he was going to have to make some changes. He spent the entire lockout elongated summer working with legendary shooting coach Herb Magee, who helped him tweak his shot.
However, Jodie Meeks continued to stay in the starting lineup this year, with Turner coming off the bench. That was until two games ago.
Meeks had been struggling to find his shot from anywhere on the floor, and the baton was passed to Turner. He has not disappointed.
Turner played 37 minutes against Boston on 3/7 scoring 26 points on 11-19 shooting. Against the Utah Jazz on 3/9, he played 43 minutes, while putting up 16 points and grabbing 12 rebounds.
The shot that Herb Magee built is finally falling. Not only is he shooting jumpers better, but he is doing it more consistently. The twenty-three year old is playing like a new man.
Anyone who has watched Turner play knows he needs the ball in his hands to play well. That is exactly what Coach Doug Collins in letting him do. Turner creating his own shots will not only benefit his play, but the team as well.
When the Sixers drafted him in 2010, they hoped he could make an impact. With his great play as of late, he must certainly will.
However, Jodie Meeks continued to stay in the starting lineup this year, with Turner coming off the bench. That was until two games ago.
Meeks had been struggling to find his shot from anywhere on the floor, and the baton was passed to Turner. He has not disappointed.
Turner played 37 minutes against Boston on 3/7 scoring 26 points on 11-19 shooting. Against the Utah Jazz on 3/9, he played 43 minutes, while putting up 16 points and grabbing 12 rebounds.
The shot that Herb Magee built is finally falling. Not only is he shooting jumpers better, but he is doing it more consistently. The twenty-three year old is playing like a new man.
Anyone who has watched Turner play knows he needs the ball in his hands to play well. That is exactly what Coach Doug Collins in letting him do. Turner creating his own shots will not only benefit his play, but the team as well.
When the Sixers drafted him in 2010, they hoped he could make an impact. With his great play as of late, he must certainly will.
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