2013 Philadelphia 76ers Top Five Performances: Evan Turner

Evan Turner's Five Best Games of 2013

Evan Turner has just recently completed his third season in a Philadelphia 76ers uniform. After being selected with the number two overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, Turner has been the subject of many Sixers fans. He has been labeled as a bust mainly because of how inconsistent he has been throughout his career.

Turner will show flashes where he can give you a triple double on any given night. He is at his best when he pulls down the defensive rebound, brings the ball up and runs the floor. Turner excels with the ball in his hands at the top of the key. He has a size advantage over many of the league’s point guards, and it allows him the opportunity to create space to get off his jump shot. He is also an excellent passer, and when he is on his game he is moving freely on the court, hitting the mid-range jumper and setting up teammates.

The problem with all of that is the fact that these performances are the minority. The Turner that Sixers fans have seen mostly is the one that gets abused on the defensive end, takes questionable shots early in the shot clock and turns the ball over on numerous occasions.

The overall outlook for Turner is that this is the fourth year of his rookie contract. At the end of the upcoming season, the Sixers will have to decide if they would like to give him a qualifying offer. I think overall Turner will never put up the stats of a number two overall pick, but I think he can give you 15 points, seven rebounds and five assists a night. He just needs to become more efficient and improve on the defensive end.

Some of those bright spots with Turner that we discussed are highlighted here in his top five performances of the 2013 season.

Zach Slotter is a writer for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @zslot6 and Like his Facebook page for 76ers updates.

5. Dec. 7th v Boston Celtics

Turner was clutch on this night as he usually is against the Boston Celtics. He scored 26 points, added 10 rebounds, and dished out five assists as he also hit the game winning basket in overtime.

4. Jan. 1st v Los Angeles Lakers

The Sixers got a win on the west coast in large part due to Turner’s performance. He had 22 points, 13 boards and five assists while also shooting 8-14 from the field.

3. Jan 28th vs Memphis Grizzlies

Turner needed to bounce back from a one point performance in his last game against the Memphis Grizzlies, and he did by making a career high 12 field goals en route to 27 points and seven assists in a losing effort.

2. Jan 21st vs San Antonio Spurs

This was another strong showing for Turner against a very good team. He shot over 50 percent and had 18 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists while spending most of the night being defended by Kawhi Leonard.

1. Mar 2nd v Golden State Warriors

This is the best game that Turner has played in his three years in a 76ers uniform. In person I witnessed Turner making plays all over the court and hitting big time baskets. He shot 10-for-15 from the floor including two three-pointers as part of his 22 points while also adding 10 rebounds and tying a career high with nine assists.