Tag: Evan Turner

NBA draft rewind: Sixers select Evan Turner No. 2 overall in 2010

The Philadelphia 76ers selected Ohio State star Evan Turner with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2010 NBA draft.

With the 2024 NBA draft approaching quickly–Round 1 of the draft is set for June 26–now is the time to look back at some of the previous draft picks the Philadelphia 76ers have made in recent years.

After a tough 2009-10 season, the Sixers entered the draft with the No. 2 overall pick. With that selection, they turned to Ohio State star Evan Turner who had one helluva collegiate career. He averaged 20.4 points in his junior season with the Buckeyes and was named the AP Player of the Year.

In his rookie season, Turner averaged 7.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.0 assists while helping the Sixers make the playoffs. Overall in 3.5 seasons with the Sixers, he averaged 11.5 points and 5.5 rebounds before being sent to the Indiana Pacers at the deadline in the 2013-14 season.

Turner also played for the Boston Celtics, the Portland Trail Blazers, and the Atlanta Hawks. He was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves early in the 2019-20 season, but did not suit up for them.

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Former Sixers guard Evan Turner calls out NBA for Luka Doncic fouling out

Former Philadelphia 76ers guard Evan Turner calls out the NBA for Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic fouling out in Game 3.

The Dallas Mavericks came up short in Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday as their furious rally came up short. The Mavericks trailed the Boston Celtics by 21 before going on a 22-2 run to get back in the game, but then lost their superstar leader.

With 4:12 left in the game, Mavs star Luka Doncic picked up his sixth foul trying to draw a charge on Celtics star Jaylen Brown. Doncic begged the Mavs to challenge the call, they did, but the call was upheld which led to him being forced out of the game.

Former Philadelphia 76ers guard Evan Turner took to Twitter and called out the NBA for allowing Doncic to foul out of the game in the finals.

The Sixers selected Turner No. 2 overall in the 2010 draft. He played 279 games for Philadelphia across four seasons with the Sixers.

Doncic and the Mavericks will look to keep their title hopes alive with a Game 4 win on Friday night at home.

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Evan Turner questions the potential Paul George-Joel Embiid duo for Sixers

Evan Turner questions a potential Joel Embiid-Paul George combination for the Philadelphia 76ers.

The offseason has just begun for the Philadelphia 76ers following a first-round elimination at the hands of the New York Knicks. The Sixers are looking to take advantage of the cap space and the trade assets at their disposal to bring in another star to put next to Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.

Los Angeles Clippers star Paul George is the biggest name connected to the Sixers. The All-Star forward can decline his player option for the 2024-25 season and enter free agency. The Sixers are one of the teams in the league that can offer him a max deal to pry him away from LA and bring him to Philadelphia.

Former Sixers forward Evan Turner, who played with George briefly while with the Indiana Pacers, questions the George-Embiid duo. He said they would be skilled, but isn’t sure if they would get the job done:

I never met a human that would let a media rumor drive his energy or personality like somebody’s like ‘I hear you were going to Philly.’ That dude be like ‘You know what? I’m going to Philly.’ You know how soft that team gonna be if him and Embiid go together? It would probably be the most skilled duo ever since Kobe (Bryant) and Shaq (O’Neal). Embiid would be hurt and PG gonna be Paul, though.

Of course, George would essentially be the No. 3 guy in Philadelphia behind Embiid and Maxey. The Sixers would focus on the two stars they already have while George would play a role as the third member of something of a “Big 3”, but it would be interesting to see what would happen if the Sixers were to bring George in on a deal.

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Evan Turner on his front row seat to a losing streak like the Detroit Pistons’

Turner had some thoughts on epic losing streaks based in his own experiences as a player for the Philadelphia 76ers.

The lowly Detroit Pistons are poised to equal an infamous record of all-time consecutive losses should they drop their looming tilt with the Boston Celtics this coming Thu., Dec. 28, but former Celtics player and assistant coach Evan Turner had some thoughts on epic losing streaks based in his own experiences as a player for the Philadelphia 76ers, who hold the record for the most consecutive games lost in a streak spanning the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons.

Speaking with cohost Andre Iguodala on his “Point Forward” podcast, ET related that he was part of a different iteration of the Sixers which nearly reached such ignominy with 26 straight losses. Turner breaks down what such a rough ride is like for the players — as well as the motivation behind some of those long losing streaks from a front office point of view.

Take a look at the clip embedded below to hear what Turner and Iguodala had to say about epic losing streaks from the perspective of the players on the team.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MbHCdS01Qc

(Click on the ‘Watch on YouTube’ link above if not available in your area.)

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Jayson Tatum reveals “Jesus Shuttlesworth-like” relationship with his dad

Jayson Tatum discussed his relationship with his dad during a recent appearance on the Point Forward podcast.

Jayson Tatum is one of the best players in the world. He’s a two-time All-NBA first-team selection. The face of the Boston Celtics. And unquestionably a future Supermax contract recipient. To develop into such an elite basketball player, Tatum needed a strong support system. However, that doesn’t always mean he had to agree with the type of support he received.

During a recent appearance on the “Point Forward” podcast, Tatum discussed his relationship with his father. He noted how his dad used to push him to be better, and they developed a “Jesus Shuttlesworth-type” relationship as a result. Although Tatum was quick to stress, their relationship has improved throughout the years.

“He taught me the game.,” Tatum said. “Was my coach and trainer till I got to about eighth grade. And it was like a Jesus Shuttlesworth type of relationship; we’ve definitely gotten better and closer as I got older, but it did kind of put a strain on our relationship…He pushed the limits at times. But looking back on it, that is a big reason why I made it in some ways.” 

Tatum’s journey has taken him toward the mountaintop. His dad’s guidance and tough love have empowered him to come within one game of winning an NBA championship and have given him the hunger to continue improving his game and pushing to make history.

The Celtics are expected to be among the front-runners for a championship this season. If they can finally secure the elusive 18th banner, Tatum’s rise to being among the best players in the world will finally be complete.

Listen to the “Green With Envy” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3DoLhYK

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3Oj4dhD

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3K8MbvY

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Jayson Tatum on how Kobe Bryant inspired him to put all his eggs in an NBA basket

“It’s like I was 50 Cent — get rich or die trying,” Tatum said. “I’m going to get to the league or die trying — and I live by that.”

Star Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum never had a backup plan when it came to trying to make the NBA, a perspective he picked up from a player he grew up idolizing and most Celtics fans grew up hating. That would be Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, and the story behind that point of view came to light in a recent interview with the hosts of the “Point Forward” podcast, acting NBPA chief Andre Iguodala and former Boston forward and assistant coach Evan Turner.

The St. Louis native spoke at length on a number of subjects in the wide-ranging interview, but when it came to his formative years and what his backup plan was should he not make the league. Tatum admitted it was Bryant who had him all-in from day one.

“Growing up, I remember Kobe spoke at a camp one time,” began Tatum.

On this day: Celtics Carlisle, Turner, Morgan born; Tsioropoulos debut; Beenders passed

On this day in Boston Celtics history, Rick Carlisle, Evan Turner, and Rex Morgan were born, Lou Tsioropoulos debuted, and Hank Beenders passed away.

On this day in Boston Celtics history, small forward and current Indiana Pacers head coach Richard “Rick” Preston Carlisle was born in Ogdensburg, New York in 1959. Carlisle played his college ball with the Universities of Maine and Virginia, leading the latter to a Final Four loss to Hakeem Olajuwon’s Houston Cougars in 1984.

The former Cavalier would be selected 70th overall in the 1984 NBA draft (there were several more rounds in that era), and would go on to win a title with the team in 1986 in a reserve role before being waived by the team in the fall of 1987.

Carlisle averaged 2.2 points and an assist per game as a Celtic.

Evan Turner, Andre Iguodala, JJ Redick on the smartest NBA players they know

The conversation touches on fellow Boston alum Rajon Rondo’s basketball acumen.

Who are the smartest NBA players of all time? Former Boston Celtics player and assistant coach Evan Turner and Andre Iguodala joined former NBAer and host of the “Old Man and the 3” podcast JJ Redick to try to answer that question on a recent episode.

One player they highlight is Andre Miller, known for his basketball IQ and his ability to see the game at a high level. Miller’s soft-spoken demeanor off the court contrasts with his on-court intelligence. The conversation also touches on fellow Boston alum Rajon Rondo‘s basketball acumen. Rondo was noted for his preparation, understanding of defenses, and ability to guide his teammates to the right spots on the court. He was not only a talented player but also a student of the game who sought advice from coaches and past opponents.

To hear their assessment of the smartest NBA players they know, take a look at the clip embedded below.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Evan Turner and Andre Iguodala on white players in the NBA

They also touch upon the unique experiences of white players in the NBA and the respect they garner from their peers.

Ever wonder what Black NBA players have to say about their white colleagues? Former Boston Celtics assistant coach and player Evan Turner joined the host of his “Point Forward” podcast Andre Iguodala on JJ Redick’s “Old Man and the 3” podcast recently, and a discussion on this topic broke out with Redick enjoying the exchange.

Spencer Hawes, a former player, is remembered for his love of hip-hop, and fellow Boston alum Kelly Olynyk, another player, is revealed to be a rapper. It’s a reminder that musical tastes in the NBA are diverse, transcending stereotypes. They also touch upon the unique experiences of white players in the NBA and the respect they garner from their peers.

The conversation then weirdly evolves into a debate about the greatness of Hall of Fame Celtics legend Larry Bird in basketball history.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Evan Turner shares how he put Kelly Olynyk on the hot seat in the GOAT point guard debate

With a bit of luck on his side, the former Celtic wing and current team assistant had a secret weapon to boost his case.

Former Boston Celtics wing and assistant coach Evan Turner is known for his wild stories as much as he is his on-court play and coaching skills. And, for that reason, the hosts of the popular, Celtics team-produced podcast “The View From the Rafters: Behind the Scenes with the Boston Celtics” had ET on the pod to regale listeners with some of those nuggets of Boston lore early on in its existence.

True to his reputation, Turner delivered, with everything from new takes on the truck-in-his-pool story to why Brad Stevens doesn’t exactly deserve the “aw, shucks” rep he gets. But for us, our favorite tale he shared on the pod was the creative way he got teammate Kelly Olynyk to eat crow in a G.O.A.T. debate.

“We’re arguing on the bus about the best point guards,” began Turner.