2010-2011 Preview: Why Drafting Evan Turner Was the Right Choice For The 76ers

When the Philadelphia 76ers selected Evan Turner from Ohio State University, many people felt that the Sixers blew their number 2 overall pick and would regret this decision later. However, I feel that the Sixers made the correct decision - there was no other choice.

The first argument the doubters say is that the 76ers should have drafted DeMarcus Cousins instead, or even Derrick Favors. This is an interesting suggestion, but it brings about its own problems:

DeMarcus Cousins: This Kentucky Wildcat is wild, alright. His attitude and work ethic has constantly been under question by NBA experts and executives, and his collegiate dominance should not be a reason why Cousins should be given a free pass from workouts. Cousins reminds me greatly of NBA Knick Eddy Curry, a physically talented player with no work ethic whatsoever. The Sixers at that time still had Samuel Dalembert, so why would they want 2 centers with no work ethic and a terrible attitude?

Funnily enough, Cousins and Dalembert still became teammates on the Sacramento Kings. Dalembert, again, is a defensively talented center with no work ethic. He arrived late to practices, was a distraction in the locker room, was benched by former Sixers coach Eddie Jordan and was kicked off the Canadian Olympic Team. The Sixers are trying to rebuild, and having Cousins complain about playing time is not what the Sixers need. The risks outweigh the benefits, and if I were a Kings fan, I would worry what the Cousins-Dalembert duo could do to create tension in the locker room.

In case anyone forgot, team captain Andre Iguodala publicly said that Doug Collins would have to assert more authority over the Sixers team.

Derrick Favors: Favors was never projected to be going as high as number 2, but I'll consider him anyway. Drafting Favors would be basically saying that the $80 million experiment with Elton Brand is over - not what Collins wants. Collins wants to revive Brand so that he can become the dominant PF/C that he was with the Clippers. Personally, I feel that Favors does not hustle enough on defense. The Sixers already have the offensively minded Marreese Speights on the team, so drafting Favors would be drafting a Speights clone.

Clearly, the Sixers lack a strong front court, but given the options of Cousins and Favors, I fail to see how drafting either one of them would significantly improve the Sixers win total. With Thaddeus Young and Spencer Hawes, along with Speights and Brand, the Sixers have a lineup that while they cannot dominate, they can certainly hold their own.

Which now brings us to...

Evan Turner. The Sixers were trapped with playing Iguodala out of position at the 2 or veteran Willie Green, who was a solid pro but contributed almost nothing to the team. Lou Williams was undersized for the 2, and the Sixers had no real option there except to hope that Iguodala's shooting would miraculously improve - which never happened.

Turner is a hardworking proven athlete capable of doing everything across the board. At 6'7, Turner is a great height for the 2 with the ability to shut down smaller guards while also possessing speed and ball handling skills. Turner also possess a good 3 point and mid range shot, neither which Iguodala has, and should compliment each other well. I need to reiterate the fact that Turner is a professional, and is very hard working. Unlike Cousins, there is no doubt that Turner will be hustling from day 1 and be fighting for the starting spot, which will most likely be his for the years to come.