Evan Turner becomes a Blazer

[blazerboy30]

I started liking Turner last year and was someone I would have liked the blazers to get.

He's a good defender at multiple positions, seems to have a good BB IQ and I think he'll fit in very well with the offense and culture.

I do think that $17M / year seems a bit steep. But I also think people will look back at this thread and see their flipping out as wrong.

I think the people here flipping out are the ones who would prefer a big name FA to circle jerk over instead of one that fits our system and is underrated and very skilled.

 

[Schilly]

He can shoot. That's it. He's only 6'5 too.

Aminu shot better from behind the arc for the season, it's not like he's a deadeye at 35% and he's not a ball handler.

 

[Pinwheel1]

"Turner, 27, has played five seasons in the NBA, including the last two with the Boston Celtics. He averaged 10.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.0 steals in 81 games last season, mostly as a backup. The Celtics featured one of the best perimeter defenses in the NBA and Turner's addition will help shore up that hole on the Blazers' roster. He is not a good three-point shooter — Turner shot 24.1 percent last season and 30.5 percent over his career — but he's eager to point out he shot 52 percent from long-range after the All-Star break last season."

And while most focus on his weaknesses, Turner prefers to emphasize his strengths, which he thinks will be a welcome addition to the Blazers' roster.

"I just think I can complement Dame and CJ so well," Turner said. "I think they need another playmaker on the court so teams don't focus so much on CJ and Dame. With all the great shooters they already have, I can help."

And how can he help?

"Off the ball," he said. "My IQ is great enough to make the right plays. Whether to drive and kick or throw a lob up to (Mason) Plumlee or something. You can never have too many playmakers on the court. My defense has gotten better throughout my career as well, so I can help there. Along with that, I can make plays. I'm a pretty good all-around player. I can perform in clutch moments."

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/i...land_trail_blazers_toughness.html#incart_2box

 

[theprunetang]

I am underwhelmed by the free agency so far, but Turner will help us. I still think Olshey will try to push for one rim protecting big. Aside from that I actually really like what Neil is doing with the team. We have two playmaking guards and it seems that Neil is forming the rest of the roster into a positionless unit where everyone else can guard multiple positions. This allows for so much versatility on defense when players can switch on everything. And we found out last year that Stotts can create great spacing even when every player out there isn't a great 3 point shooter.

Was I hoping for a big bang? Yep. But I am a damned fan and I still see some huge positives in the team. And who knows, maybe Vonleh comes back with more confidence and polish. That would alleviate a lot of the current concerns.

 

[MickZagger]

I've put a lot of thought into this....

I like Turner, I think his defense is underrated, he's a great mid range guy, good slasher, very streaky from distance (shot 52% in the final two months). He's a decent pickup, I was expecting more, but you gotta realize this is Portland and its today's NBA. I'm not thrilled with the signing, but at the very least it gives us solid depth. Who knows, maybe he's a guy waiting to explode in the right situation.

 

[Binx]

Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
now
Am I missing what makes Memphis more attractive than Portland?

I'm missing it, too. I guess it's just our curse to be beaten out by places like Memphis and Dallas and Indiana and Milwaukee and Atlanta and San Antonio and Houston and Golden State and Sacramento and Toronto and Los Angeles and Philadelphia and Boston and Chicago and Minnesota and Oklahoma City and Miami and Orlando and New Orleans and Phoenix and Denver and Salt Lake City and New York and Brooklyn and Cleveland and Charlotte and Detroit and Washington.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

I've put a lot of thought into this....

I like Turner, I think his defense is underrated, he's a great mid range guy, good slasher, very streaky from distance (shot 52% in the final two months). He's a decent pickup, I was expecting more, but you gotta realize this is Portland and its today's NBA. I'm not thrilled with the signing, but at the very least it gives us solid depth. Who knows, maybe he's a guy waiting to explode in the right situation.

I mean, he does have a lil Roy to him offensively, which is something I love. He can bring the ball up the floor and dish to streaking Dame or CJ on fast breaks, it's gonna be a good fit. Just not "sexy" on paper.

 

[Binx]

I am underwhelmed by the free agency so far, but Turner will help us. I still think Olshey will try to push for one rim protecting big. Aside from that I actually really like what Neil is doing with the team. We have two playmaking guards and it seems that Neil is forming the rest of the roster into a positionless unit where everyone else can guard multiple positions. This allows for so much versatility on defense when players can switch on everything. And we found out last year that Stotts can create great spacing even when every player out there isn't a great 3 point shooter.

Was I hoping for a big bang? Yep. But I am a damned fan and I still see some huge positives in the team. And who knows, maybe Vonleh comes back with more confidence and polish. That would alleviate a lot of the current concerns.

Vonleh. Good grief, I forgot all about him.

 

[MickZagger]

Turner is also a really solid defender.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

I mean, he does have a lil Roy to him offensively, which is something I love. He can bring the ball up the floor and dish to streaking Dame or CJ on fast breaks, it's gonna be a good fit. Just not "sexy" on paper.

Brandon Roy was not sexy on paper. But he was on the floor.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Turner is also a really solid defender.

I'll be honest, his highlight reels on defense look sexy as hell. He reminds me of Old Man Pippen.

 

[MickZagger]

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

I'll be honest, his highlight reels on defense look sexy as hell. He reminds me of Old Man Pippen.

His body kinda looks like old man pippen... And he has an old man game (dude came straight for '98 I swear!).

 

[BonesJones]

I'm warming up to this signing. He's great as a complimentary piece. I'm a lot happier with this signing if we can go get someone like Millsap or Gasol.

 

[HailBlazers]

Funny my buddy, a real basketball guru has been wanting him for years. I was always like "meh" but if Neil likes him as well I trust the judgement. So far what Turner has to say IQ wise is on point.

 

[H.C.]

I actually really like Turner. While ofc there are better options he's a real good player.
When Boston beat GSW at home he was the one who stepped up and made a shot when Boston was struggling offensively.
Plumlee is a player who can make plays but I wouldn't consider him a playmaker.
When CJ/Lillard get doubled and teams force the ball out of their hands. Turner has shown the ability with Boston to make plays.

His numbers might not jump off the page. But he's a player you get when you're building around Damian Lillard.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

All of that is straight up old man Pippen. I like young guys who have old man game. They last in the league.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Interesting comparison:

http://bkref.com/tiny/gZupX

Look at the Per 36 stats. Except for his three point shooting, 2015-2016 Turner was a carbon copy of 1999-2000 Pippen (stat-wise). The eye test kind of helps me feel like the stats aren't lying, too.

CAVEAT: the three point shooting added a ton of value to Pippen that Turner won't bring. But, facilitating? Defense?

 

[riverman]

I'm happy with this guy..he's got game and he's got Shawn Livingston length..quick release, quick hands and he's healthy. He schooled Gerald Henderson on that highlight reel.

 

[Tunchi]

I just wish he was our first target

Makes it seem like we didn't want him till couple players said no to us

 

[KingSpeed]

Interesting comparison:

http://bkref.com/tiny/gZupX

Look at the Per 36 stats. Except for his three point shooting, 2015-2016 Turner was a carbon copy of 1999-2000 Pippen (stat-wise). The eye test kind of helps me feel like the stats aren't lying, too.

CAVEAT: the three point shooting added a ton of value to Pippen that Turner won't bring. But, facilitating? Defense?

Turner shot over 50% from the three point line over the last couple months of the season I believe. He hit a game winning 3 over us too. I bet he'll become a good 3 shooter under Stotts.

 

[Natebishop3]

I have been wanting him for a while.

I'm just.... hoping there's more. We need a third scorer. Badly.

 

[Sarni]

I have digested this move and I like it now. $17M a year is steep but we had to go high to get any of this year's free agents and he seems to have some abilities that we needed, he will be a third ball handler, he's very intelligent out there on the court, he's experienced and seems likeable. I think I prefer this move over Parsons, less injury problems and still leaves space for another move without major stretching of cap. If he develops s 3p shot, which he was getting better at last season, he could be a stud.

 

[RR7]

I have been wanting him for a while.

I'm just.... hoping there's more. We need a third scorer. Badly.

I wonder, is it more important to have a 3rd scorer, or a number of people on the roster who can reliably get you 10-15 per game? How many touches does a "3rd scorer" get on our squad? Who do they come from? How does it change the play calling, flow of the team, etc.? Is it better to have someone like Pau? Or ET, Plumlee, Aminu, Crabbe, Harkless all capable of giving you 15 on any given night?

 

[WillG]

Actually really like Turner as a player - just not at this absurd price.
He's yet more duplication of skills already present on the team. We shouldn't be overpaying for that.
What we really needed was a difference maker in the front court.

Would have much rather seen the 'poised' Olshey make a couple of smart bargain signings; They'd likely end up having the same net effect - and we could have had money to absorb contracts, trades etc.

 

[Natebishop3]

I wonder, is it more important to have a 3rd scorer, or a number of people on the roster who can reliably get you 10-15 per game? How many touches does a "3rd scorer" get on our squad? Who do they come from? How does it change the play calling, flow of the team, etc.? Is it better to have someone like Pau? Or ET, Plumlee, Aminu, Crabbe, Harkless all capable of giving you 15 on any given night?

In my opinion, a third scorer is a guy who can make a team pay for trying to take option 1 and option 2 out of play. Wes Matthews was a great third scorer before his injury. Chandler Parsons was a great third scorer on Houston with Harden and Howard. Someone who can consistently hit a shot. Aminu is not consistent enough to be that third guy. That's why I was excited about Parsons. If healthy, he's the perfect third scorer. Now that we've got ET, I'm hoping we can find a power forward or center to be that third guy. If it's Millsap, I'll be over the moon. If it's Monroe or Kanter, I'll be reasonably satisfied. If it's Gasol, I'll be fine with that as well.

 

[Natebishop3]

Actually really like Turner as a player - just not at this absurd price.
He's yet more duplication of skills already present on the team. We shouldn't be overpaying for that.
What we really needed was a difference maker in the front court.

Would have much rather seen the 'poised' Olshey make a couple of smart bargain signings; They'd likely end up having the same net effect - and we could have had money to absorb contracts, trades etc.

Who on our team currently replicates the skills that Turner brings to the table at the small forward position?

 

[Scalma]

Watch Turners contract be looked at as a bargain next offseason lol. I remember I wanted Portland to trade for him two years ago when they needed a bench wing. He's gotten even better since then and still has a ceiling. Defensively he gave Klay problems last year. That's who were trying to beat right? This was a good move. Fuck Parsons. Dudebro is an idiot that got swayed by justin timberlake.

 

[WillG]

Who on our team currently replicates the skills that Turner brings to the table at the small forward position?

As a 2/3 his skills are replicated by our guards and Aminu/Harkless.
Yes he's a above average mix of those skills, but is horrendous value - unlike Aminu.

 

[Natebishop3]

As a 2/3 his skills are replicated by our guards and Aminu/Harkless.
Yes he's a above average mix of those skills, but is horrendous value - unlike Aminu.

He isn't horrendous value. Aminu is dirt cheap. Frickin Bazemore just signed the same damn contract. That's the new reality of the NBA.

Aminu/Harkless can't handle the ball for shit. They both play out of control. Turner gives us another player in the starting lineup that can handle the ball and distribute. Think of him like Nic Batum, but instead of being flaky and inconsistent, he works hard and busts his ass on both ends of the floor. We don't have ANYONE on our team like Evan Turner.