Evan Turner is supposed to be the savior for the slumping Sixers after a terrible 27-win season last year. Obviously the expectations of Turner are incredibly high, and unfortunately he really struggled in his first opportunity, the Orlando Summer League. Turner looked slow and out of shape in his five games in Orlando, averaging only 9.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game. He also shot the ball horribly only 33 percent from the floor and 25 percent from behind the arc.
“It was really an eye-opener for me to get my butt kicked, but it was also a good thing, I think,” Turner told the Philadelphia Daily News of his performance in Orlando. “That hasn’t happened to me in a really long time, so it made me realize how much harder I had to work to get myself ready for training camp.”
Even though the newest 76er didn’t blow everyone away in Summer League like some expected, he still brings an energy to the City of Brotherly Love that’s been missing for a while. Turner was most recently at the Philadelphia 76ers annual Beach Bash celebration, an event that benefits the Sixers various charities, and the city’s excitement was on full display.
“Man, this is pretty exciting,” said Turner, as he signed autographs and shook hands. “You can really feel the energy from the fans here. Everywhere I go in and around Philadelphia, Sixers fans are really excited for the upcoming season. They aren’t as excited as me, but no one could be.”
Turner has been playing pick-up games everyday trying to get in better shape before training camp which begins in less than two months and hopefully when the season comes around he’ll help deliver a winning season to Philadelphia.
For more on Turner and the 76ers Beach Bash check out “Sixers rookie Turner is main attraction at Beach Bash in Avalon, New Jersey” by Bob Cooney of Philadelphia Daily News.