Wilfried wrote:Kobblehead wrote:Do the Jrue wrote:Of the three, I still think Evan Turner is far and away the most valuable towards a winning team. Once he gets his jumpshot to resemble an NBA basketball player, he's going to be fine.
And what if this will never happen?
People talk about him as a 19-year prospect, but at his age, there's really not so much room for improvement anymore.
It's safe to say George, Cousins, Monroe and probably Favors will have far better careers than Turner.
Only the 'hopers' need to wake up.
"Safe to say" that Cousins will have a better career than Turner? Really?
Of your list, the only guy that I feel "safe to say" will have a better career than Turner is George - a guy that SEVERAL teams passed on before Indy took him. Now, could the other three guys turn out to be better pros than Turner? Sure....but I don't think that is a lock. To me, Turner possess all of the qualities that you want to see in a closer - he has the mentality, and has done it at every other level - HS, AAU and college. He has elite instincts - as witnessed by his ridiculous rebounding skills...for a guy who is as "unathletic" as Turner is, his ability to go get the basketball off the glass is world-class and speaks to an instinctual aspect to his game that simply cannot be taught.
Does he need to improve his shot? Of course.
Does he need to get in better physical shape? Yup.
Does he need to get out of that STUPID Li-Ning shoe deal and get shoes that will keep him from slip-sliding all over the freaking place? Damn straight.
Harden blossomed in his 3rd year. Lots of other guys do it as well. Turner will have a full offseason knowing that he will be a starter...he should know within the next few weeks whether it will be at the 2 or the 3. I am not saying that he WILL be better than Favors, Monroe or Cousins, but I am willing to give him one more season before I pass judgement.