The Curious Case of Evan Turner

[jmen788]

This is a situation (and a player) that I just don't get!

Most of us (myself included) have wanted him gone to let other people, especially the youngsters, get minutes... but the perplexing thing is that while his stats are so-so (his PER is pretty bad), the team seems to play better when he's on the floor).

Is he just a good fit for this system? Should we keep him (even if begrudgingly) and maybe trade other people to get stronger in other areas?

This is something that I just really don't get...

[Redz]

He seems to be a fuel to the fire kind of guy.  For good or bad.  Last night he stepped into t h e flow of t h at great first quarter run and started hitting shots he has not been hitting.

[mctyson]

I will admit that I am a huge fan of Evan Turner.  He has a very unique game and skill set.  His game is very valuable, especially off the bench.  He is a true point-forward and creates a lot of match up problems.

I know a lot was expected of him as the #2 pick in the draft and a college All-American, but I think with the Celtics he has really found his groove. 

[chilidawg]

This is a situation (and a player) that I just don't get!

Most of us (myself included) have wanted him gone to let other people, especially the youngsters, get minutes... but the perplexing thing is that while his stats are so-so (his PER is pretty bad), the team seems to play better when he's on the floor).

Is he just a good fit for this system? Should we keep him (even if begrudgingly) and maybe trade other people to get stronger in other areas?

This is something that I just really don't get...

If you looked at his RPM for last year it looks like he actually isn't making the team better when he's on the floor.  He certainly was last night though. 

I'm perplexed too, as I like his game, but all the advanced stats say he sucks.

[Evantime34]

This is a situation (and a player) that I just don't get!

Most of us (myself included) have wanted him gone to let other people, especially the youngsters, get minutes... but the perplexing thing is that while his stats are so-so (his PER is pretty bad), the team seems to play better when he's on the floor).

Is he just a good fit for this system? Should we keep him (even if begrudgingly) and maybe trade other people to get stronger in other areas?

This is something that I just really don't get...

If you looked at his RPM for last year it looks like he actually isn't making the team better when he's on the floor.  He certainly was last night though. 

I'm perplexed too, as I like his game, but all the advanced stats say he sucks.

I was shocked by his on and off splits so far this year. The c's are 20.5 points per 100  possessions with him on the court this year.

Last year the team was 4.7 points per 100 possessions better with him off the court

[hwangjini_1]

it might help to place his skills, such as they are, within the context of the celtic team. it seems to me that turner is one of only two celtics who can create their own shot...though it is a low efficiency mid range two pointer shot.

that ability marks him as valuable on a team in which the only other player who can create his own shot is 5' 9" IT. the celtics will frequently run into situations where they need someone to create a shot since the defense takes away their first few offensive options. by default, turner seems to be that guy.

plus, he is a pretty good passer so when the defense collapses on him he can still help the team.

[knuckleballer]

Watching him last night, he seems to be getting younger.  Very curious case.

[Big333223]

His importance to the team right now is indicative of the major problem with the team. Turner is good for them because he has a skill set (ball handler/creator) that they are in dire need of. But that Evan Turner is the second best creator on the team is bad. They need him on the floor to cover that need even though he's probably only average (by NBA standards) at that role.

[PhoSita]

Sometimes teams that lack scoring options are better when guys who dominate the ball and hunt for their own shots are on the floor -- even if that player is inefficient.

This phenomenon was analyzed a few years back where it was shown that the Pacers were better with Danny Granger taking lots of shots, even though he wasn't scoring with very good efficiency at that point.

When Evan Turner has it going and he's doing his "pound the ball, move back and forth and try to find an open mid-range shot" thing, it sometimes has the effect of making the offense more decisive and allowing other guys to just focus on what they do well.

I don't think it's really good for the team in the short or long term, because those "Evan Turner has it going" games are less common than "Evan Turner just killed our offense with 2 TOs and a few wasted possessions of overdribbling," and we want our younger guys to figure out how to thrive in a ball-movement system, not playing off a guy who never got beyond the "looks like he could maybe be a star if he could do this every game" stage of his development.

[trickybilly]

Sometimes teams that lack scoring options are better when guys who dominate the ball and hunt for their own shots are on the floor -- even if that player is inefficient.

This phenomenon was analyzed a few years back where it was shown that the Pacers were better with Danny Granger taking lots of shots, even though he wasn't scoring with very good efficiency at that point.

When Evan Turner has it going and he's doing his "pound the ball, move back and forth and try to find an open mid-range shot" thing, it sometimes has the effect of making the offense more decisive and allowing other guys to just focus on what they do well.

I don't think it's really good for the team in the short or long term, because those "Evan Turner has it going" games are less common than "Evan Turner just killed our offense with 2 TOs and a few wasted possessions of overdribbling," and we want our younger guys to figure out how to thrive in a ball-movement system, not playing off a guy who never got beyond the "looks like he could maybe be a star if he could do this every game" stage of his development.

I'm not sure he is necessarily a liability in the short term. I agree that the C's should introduce Hunter into the rotation and play Bae as the primary 3, but ET still fulfills a need for 12-18 minutes, when the offence stagnates.

He is a paragon of professionalism, he grew up hard and he overcame a lot of difficulties with perseverance and toughness.

[Evantime34]

Sometimes teams that lack scoring options are better when guys who dominate the ball and hunt for their own shots are on the floor -- even if that player is inefficient.

This phenomenon was analyzed a few years back where it was shown that the Pacers were better with Danny Granger taking lots of shots, even though he wasn't scoring with very good efficiency at that point.

When Evan Turner has it going and he's doing his "pound the ball, move back and forth and try to find an open mid-range shot" thing, it sometimes has the effect of making the offense more decisive and allowing other guys to just focus on what they do well.

I don't think it's really good for the team in the short or long term, because those "Evan Turner has it going" games are less common than "Evan Turner just killed our offense with 2 TOs and a few wasted possessions of overdribbling," and we want our younger guys to figure out how to thrive in a ball-movement system, not playing off a guy who never got beyond the "looks like he could maybe be a star if he could do this every game" stage of his development.

The bright side of having a ball dominant guy like Evan Turner is that everyone around him can find/fit into the role that they will have when Turner is replaced by a much better ball dominant player.

[timpiker]

I've always liked Turner and have never understood the hatred for him.  He was our MVP last year.  He's the glue on this team many times.

[SHAQATTACK]

His really really bad games occur ....far more often than his great amazing games .  Not much in  Between.

He'll come In and simply kill the offense. ...more times than not.

He rarely plays in the mid level range........filling in resting starters.

It's either come in and totally break the Celtics back , by pounding the ball and throwing up bricks ....and about every fifth game he is truely on and lights up the other team like a pinball machine , scoring , dishing , breaking teams down like crazy .

If he could play just decent ...90 % of the time ...not hurting the team so much when he is off.

His style of play destroys the Celtics game when he is sucking.

I also,noticed .......it seems when the Celtics are off as a team .....he feels comfortable with his,game and excels .

I d rather trade him ASAP ....put Hunter out there and let him learn ......that reward is much greater in the long term scheme . 

[Rosco917]

Turner just happens to fill a need the C's have, with his unique skills. Hate him or not.

Put him on a team that has plenty of players that create their own shots, and handle the ball well, and he's gonna be buried on the bench, because of his flaws. 

His size, 6-7 in the back court is also a desirable trait the C's need. We have smallish guards, other than Smart. Like him or not, he can get you points in a hurry, and get the offense going...OR he'll turn the ball over enough to play you out of the game.

The biggest flaw I can see with him is, when he flat out doesn't have it, he never takes his time, and let's the game come to him. Rather, he just keeps trying to force it, until he's taken out of the game.

[Greyman]

He has been good for the team and the Celtics have been good for his career. Though he probably ends up somewhere else once the 'rebuild' is finally complete. It could be argued that he would be a handy backup on a contending team but I doubt there is the space at the Celtics to keep him long term.