They werent exactly oil and water, but rare was the time when Sixers head coach Doug Collins would put veteran Andre Iguodala and rookie Evan Turner on the floor at the same time. Through some type of unconsciousness, the vet and the rookie did not mesh well on the court and seemed to have a big brother-little brother relationship off it.
No, the relationship was not adversarial, and to Turners and Iguodalas credit, the players worked through things, culminating with a dinner together during last April's playoffs. On Tuesday night, the pair spent nearly an entire quarter together on the floor during the exhibition finale against Washington.
Evan has played great and it was great to see him with Dre last night, Collins said.
Iguodala is thoughtful and seemingly introspective, while Turner is young, likes to talk and isnt shy about much of anything. But Iguodala, in his eighth year with the 76ers, last year took on a mentoring role for players like Turner and Jodie Meeks. A first-round pick in the 2004 draft, Iguodala has been where Turner is now and, considering Turner could eventually assume Iguodalas role on the team, it bodes well that the two are on the same page.
As far as Iguodala sees it, confidence is the key to Turners game.
Hes a very solid basketball player and a big part of it for him is confidence, Iguodala said after Wednesdays practice at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. It can get away from him from time to time and in order for him to be successful he has to keep his confidence high all the time and just enjoy the game.
The joy of the game seems to be the go-to emotion around the Sixers just five days before the season opener in Portland on Monday night. In fact, the chemistry with the Sixers is so strong that when Collins went with a perimeter set of Iguodala, Turner and Jrue Holiday during the fourth quarter of Tuesday nights exhibition, it decided the victory over Washington. Rookie Nikola Vucevic also saw some action with that trio, giving the Sixers a decidedly youthful team with Iguodala as the elder statesman.
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According to Collins, the Iguodala-Turner-Holiday triumvirate could see plenty of action during the season.
It gives us size, Collins said. Evan had eight defensive rebounds Tuesday night. It gives us two ball handlers. It gives you a chance to switch some things on the perimeter. With Jrue out there we have good size in the backcourt. It also gives me options on a night where Lou Williams might not be doing it or Jodie is not out there. I think we were 7 for 16 from three last night, so we can spread the floor when were knocking down shots.
With Iguodala and Turner on the winds, Holiday scored 15 of the final 18 points for the Sixers. Turner also played all 12 minutes in the fourth and 32 minutes in the game. During his rookie season, Turner played 32 minutes of a game just 14 times. That made sense, since Turner struggled to pull the trigger on some shots during his first NBA season.
Where Turner found the most difficulty, though, was on defense late in games. But Collins says that issue has been addressed. The coach even has a video of 21 late-game defensive breakdowns that he plans on showing to the team during Thursdays practice to illustrate his points.
As a result, Turner may find himself more minutes if he can contribute more defensively.
Thats what I talked to Evan aboutone of the things for him in late-game situations, especially on the defensive end, thats where he really has to stay focused, Collins said. Last year, I thought that was one of the areas he really struggled in and were really working on that.
Iguodala has no doubt he can come together with Turner. Plus, Iguodala said, he and Turner have similar attributes that can make the Sixers more dangerous when they are on the floor together.
We are two very good rebounders and if we rebound the ball we can push it up and start a fast break, Iguodala said. It doesnt matter who brings the ball upeither he or I or Jrue.
We both are high IQ basketball players so we can play pretty much with anybody.
E-mail John R. Finger at jfinger@comcastsportsnet.com.