Evan Turner is fun to watch

[walker834]

I love Evan Turner.  He's basically proven to be that extra scorer off the bench that can come in and keeps our offense in high gear slashing to the basket and hitting from midrange doing a good job distributing etc. Brad Stevens knows what Evan Turner can do and has him playing to it.  He's basically a poor mans Rondo or MCW in a lesser role making less money but a good basketball player when he has the ball in his hands.  I also love Evan Turner the person.  I love hearing him speak and he really seems to personify what the celtics are all about.  I'd love for him to be a part of things.

But the reality is with Smart, Bradley and Isaiah here he is taking away from Smart's development.  Isaiah is a more talented version with more range who is a better option as far as talent in Evan Turners role coming off hte bench penetrating and as a scorer.   We need that extra scoring punch but  I'm not sure who it should be coming from.

Ideally it would be great to package a guy like Turner, Zeller some of our old guys in Lee and Amir and draft picks for that interior piece inside.  Put Isaiah in Turner's spot on the team. Continue to let Sully and KO develop.  Crowder is already there and really should be starting and really is the heart of this team ala Turner in a way. We also have a couple young guards in Young and RJ who can battle it out to spread the offense a bit. Plus Rozier who could be given an opportunity if Turner departs.

The issue is Boogie Cousins isn't coming here for Turner, Zeller, Old guys and draft picks.  That ideally would be what we would need but I don't see it happening.  So do we keep turner and trade a guy like Isaiah? I don't really see that either. Package a guy like Sully or KO.  I don't see that either. So again Ainge is left with all these picks and a team I feel is not that far off.

I'm not on the trade Sully bandwagon yet either.  I think Sully and KO should be allowed to develop and could solidify our PF spot like Crowder has done at SF.   We are  missing that one piece inside and a few guys playing out of position I feel. 

[PhoSita]

ET is really fun to watch when he has it going.

It's important to understand, though, that he's one of those players whose fun-to-watch factor often outweighs how much of an impact he really has on the game.  Especially since fans have a tendency to remember his awesome plays (like his fancy footwork in the post last night) and forget the half dozen times a game he over-dribbles, turns the ball over, or bricks wide open three point shots.


I've decided to look at Turner as a sort of Sean Livingston type backup ball-handler who is less of a floor general and more of a shot creator.  Kind of a cross between Sean Livingston and Jamal Crawford. 

He's nice to have on your bench, so far as that goes, but given the team's current strengths and weaknesses I think the Celts would be improved if they replaced him with somebody who can hit three pointers.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

I love Evan Turner.

For all the bad he does on the court, I'm willing to swallow it because he does equal, if not more good.

Love his versatility on offense, he's money from 15-17 feet and having an extra ball handler who can either start or coming off the bench, that can basically play 3 positions is a luxury.

He is indeed fun to watch.

I want him to stay a Celtic.

[walker834]

I don't want to underestimate Turner either though.  I think Turner is a leader on this team and better than he is given credit for.

I just think ideally how this team is set up it would be Smart starting and Thomas in Turners role. It's hard to say that with absolute certainty though.

Trading Turner for someone like Cousins seems out the question but for Gallinari or someone like that it might not be.  I just am not sure what Ainge would be looking at. Jabari Parker etc.. 

None of it really makes sense.

[pearljammer10]

I completely 100% disagree with the thread title here.

Evan Turner (along with Avery Bradley and Sullinger) is one of the most frustrating and least fun players to watch in the NBA. He reminds of the Rondo, big three days when Rondo would dribble in the same spot for 18 seconds and wait for the play to develop and then have to rush something in the last 6 seconds. Except Turner has no play developing he is just dribbling for 18 seconds towards nothing then tries to create something under pressure. He hardly moves the ball, is slow to react, and dribbles way too much.

He has given the Celts much more this year. But his frustration level hasn't changed. I mean honestly, how can a guy who shoots 15% from the three point line, and STILL TAKES THREES be labeled as fun to watch.

[walker834]

I think he's fun to watch when he isn't taking 3's. I cringe when he takes 3's.  I think he is a fun player to watch though.  Very few players can take over a game with the dribble and Turner can do that.  I see it the other way around on that part. He constantly attacks the rim and creates offense that way. Teams have to pay attention to him on defense. 

he's also a good rebounder and passer. He's not a terrible defender either by any means.  He a bit of a loose defender who gambles a bit but he makes plays.

[PhoSita]

I completely 100% disagree with the thread title here.

Evan Turner (along with Avery Bradley and Sullinger) is one of the most frustrating and least fun players to watch in the NBA. He reminds of the Rondo, big three days when Rondo would dribble in the same spot for 18 seconds and wait for the play to develop and then have to rush something in the last 6 seconds. Except Turner has no play developing he is just dribbling for 18 seconds towards nothing then tries to create something under pressure. He hardly moves the ball, is slow to react, and dribbles way too much.

He has given the Celts much more this year. But his frustration level hasn't changed. I mean honestly, how can a guy who shoots 15% from the three point line, and STILL TAKES THREES be labeled as fun to watch.

He takes threes because our possessions often end with an open three point shot.   Brad has designed the team's offense to operate that way.  If a guy is on the floor, he pretty much has to be able to take an open three pointer if that's where the ball ends up at the end of the possession, unless he's the sole pure big man out there on the floor.

That said, he definitely can't shoot from out there, so that's part of why his positive impact on the offense is limited.

Even when Turner is at his best, he's really kind of just doing his own thing out there instead of operating within the way the team prefers to play on offense.  That's why I agree that while Turner frequently has individual plays that are fun to watch, on the whole he's frustrating. 

When he bails the team out of an offensive funk by hitting a pull-up shot from the free throw line, or uses some nice footwork to get to the rim, it's pretty cool and exciting, though.

[walker834]

Some of the most fun players to watch ever just did their own thing and created the offense.  Russell changed the game on the defensive end.  Magic Johnson.  Turner obviously isn't on those guys levels but he's a fun player to watch.

He also contributes to this team in a positive way I feel in a limited role.  He does have his weaknesses but that's where Brad is really using him well.

[walker834]

For me Sully and KO are most frustrating. They are still developing and not playing to their abilities.  Turner is. Crowder is. Isaiah is.  Smart isn't yet either.  Bradley is for the most part but can get better himself.

I think Turner is playing exactly how we'd want him to in order to contribute in a positive way with his talent.

Sully, KO and Smart are still young and just takes patience. Turner, Crowder, Isaiah are really in their prime now.

[Denis998]

as long as he isnt taking 3s. his interviews are amazing tho.

[Evantime34]

I'm not a fan. He shrinks the floor with his lack of 3 point shooting.

What really bothers me though is how he makes himself the center of the offense. When he is running the point he looks at his first read off the pick and roll and if that's not open he shoots a pull up jumper or drives.

While this might not seem that bad, it makes it so that when he is running the offense the offense goes as far as he does. It is counterproductive long term to have the offense depend so heavily on a player who probably isn't in the long term plans.

Sorry to be the pessimist.

[pearljammer10]

I'm not a fan. He shrinks the floor with his lack of 3 point shooting.

What really bothers me though is how he makes himself the center of the offense. When he is running the point he looks at his first read off the pick and roll and if that's not open he shoots a pull up jumper or drives.

While this might not seem that bad, it makes it so that when he is running the offense the offense goes as far as he does. It is counterproductive long term to have the offense depend so heavily on a player who probably isn't in the long term plans.

Sorry to be the pessimist.

Exactly. And Steven's system relies on ball movement and fitting within the system. Turner does neither of those things, but, can sometimes bail us out at the end of a shot clock or with a broken play.

I completely 100% disagree with the thread title here.

Evan Turner (along with Avery Bradley and Sullinger) is one of the most frustrating and least fun players to watch in the NBA. He reminds of the Rondo, big three days when Rondo would dribble in the same spot for 18 seconds and wait for the play to develop and then have to rush something in the last 6 seconds. Except Turner has no play developing he is just dribbling for 18 seconds towards nothing then tries to create something under pressure. He hardly moves the ball, is slow to react, and dribbles way too much.

He has given the Celts much more this year. But his frustration level hasn't changed. I mean honestly, how can a guy who shoots 15% from the three point line, and STILL TAKES THREES be labeled as fun to watch.

He takes threes because our possessions often end with an open three point shot.   Brad has designed the team's offense to operate that way.  If a guy is on the floor, he pretty much has to be able to take an open three pointer if that's where the ball ends up at the end of the possession, unless he's the sole pure big man out there on the floor.

That said, he definitely can't shoot from out there, so that's part of why his positive impact on the offense is limited.

Even when Turner is at his best, he's really kind of just doing his own thing out there instead of operating within the way the team prefers to play on offense.  That's why I agree that while Turner frequently has individual plays that are fun to watch, on the whole he's frustrating. 

When he bails the team out of an offensive funk by hitting a pull-up shot from the free throw line, or uses some nice footwork to get to the rim, it's pretty cool and exciting, though.

Which just further proves the point that he doesnt fit well in Brad's system.

[Donoghus]

He's taken the mantle of "trick or treat".  Following the illustrious footsteps of one, Tony Allen.

Can't say I enjoy watching him play.

[Evantime34]

I'm not a fan. He shrinks the floor with his lack of 3 point shooting.

What really bothers me though is how he makes himself the center of the offense. When he is running the point he looks at his first read off the pick and roll and if that's not open he shoots a pull up jumper or drives.

While this might not seem that bad, it makes it so that when he is running the offense the offense goes as far as he does. It is counterproductive long term to have the offense depend so heavily on a player who probably isn't in the long term plans.

Sorry to be the pessimist.

Exactly. And Steven's system relies on ball movement and fitting within the system. Turner does neither of those things, but, can sometimes bail us out at the end of a shot clock or with a broken play.

I completely 100% disagree with the thread title here.

Evan Turner (along with Avery Bradley and Sullinger) is one of the most frustrating and least fun players to watch in the NBA. He reminds of the Rondo, big three days when Rondo would dribble in the same spot for 18 seconds and wait for the play to develop and then have to rush something in the last 6 seconds. Except Turner has no play developing he is just dribbling for 18 seconds towards nothing then tries to create something under pressure. He hardly moves the ball, is slow to react, and dribbles way too much.

He has given the Celts much more this year. But his frustration level hasn't changed. I mean honestly, how can a guy who shoots 15% from the three point line, and STILL TAKES THREES be labeled as fun to watch.

He takes threes because our possessions often end with an open three point shot.   Brad has designed the team's offense to operate that way.  If a guy is on the floor, he pretty much has to be able to take an open three pointer if that's where the ball ends up at the end of the possession, unless he's the sole pure big man out there on the floor.

That said, he definitely can't shoot from out there, so that's part of why his positive impact on the offense is limited.

Even when Turner is at his best, he's really kind of just doing his own thing out there instead of operating within the way the team prefers to play on offense.  That's why I agree that while Turner frequently has individual plays that are fun to watch, on the whole he's frustrating. 

When he bails the team out of an offensive funk by hitting a pull-up shot from the free throw line, or uses some nice footwork to get to the rim, it's pretty cool and exciting, though.

Which just further proves the point that he doesnt fit well in Brad's system.

I missed your post earlier, didn't realize you beat me to throwing cold water on the Evan Turner love. Tp.

Although I did like that last game that he spotted up in the corner then took a dribble and knocked down a shot in his range. If he can do that and not dominate the ball I'll change my stance.

His defense this year has been much better than I've ever seen out of him.

[obnoxiousmime]

Sometimes your individual talents just don't match up exactly to the rules of the sport you are playing. Turner would be an amazing one-on-one player on a court with no 3-pt. line and assuming players are divided into height/weight classes.

The NBA is cruel to players who are talented but aren't quite star-level and also don't fill a specific niche like "defensive/rebounding big man" or "3 and D specialist."

For example, in a pickup game I would pick Evan Turner first over someone like say, DeMarre Carroll. However, in the NBA there are lots of other guys at Turner's position who are better and more versatile. Teams don't need Turner, they need guys who complement their stars, which usually means shooting spot up 3s, defending the other team's better offensive players, or doing the dirty stuff down low in the paint.