Evan Turner Comments on the Future of the NBA, Defends Mid-Range Jump Shots
Despite the importance of the three-point shot to the Golden State Warriors' success, Boston Celtics swingman Evan Turner believes the mid-range jumper is the most valuable shot in basketball.
In a wide-ranging interview with Complex's Maurice Peebles, Turner defended the efficiency of the mid-range jumper while also using the argument to reinforce his own value as a player:
"The future is in the mid-range. The mid-range is where the money’s at, man. I think the three-point shot opens up the court and everything like that, but [Michael Jordan] and all those great players made all of their money out of the mid-range. So I’m not sorry for that at all. Evan M. Turner. For sure, ‘M’ stands for mid-range. Anywhere within 15 feet is cash. I’ll try to get better at threes, but that’s my game. …
People say, ‘You can’t shoot the three.’ But I can defend, I can pass, rebound, score. You got guys that all they can do is shoot and nothing else.
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Turner is set to become a free agent this summer, and he has value as a long, solid defender who can chip in on offense. At 6'7", he has averaged 10.7 points along with 5.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game in his career.
He is being linked to the New York Knicks, per Basketball Insiders' Alex Kennedy:
CBS Sports Radio's Adam Kaufman questioned Turner's rumored interest in the Knicks:
While the ability to knock down mid-range shots is an important part of forcing defenses to respect the drive, there is no denying that the three-point shot is a major factor in the NBA.
The two teams in the NBA Finals, Cleveland and Golden State, lead the playoffs in threes made per game. The two teams also led the league in the same category during the regular season. The Warriors are two wins away from back-to-back titles thanks in large part to their three-point shooting.
Turner and other mid-range shooters will still have a place in the league, but the NBA has been moving toward an open style of play that emphasizes three-point shooting over the last few years.
Statistics are courtesy of ESPN.com.
