NBA scouts weigh in on merits of Wall vs. Turner

June 22, 2010|By DICK JERARDI, jerardd@phillynews.com
(Page 3 of 3)

If you don't have Kobe Bryant, LeBron James or Dwyane Wade, you better have one of the elite point guards - Rose, Westbrook, Rajon Rondo, Tyreke Evans, Stephen Curry, Jameer Nelson, Deron Williams, Chris Paul, Tony Parker, Brandon Jennings, Aaron Brooks, Jason Kidd, Chauncey Billups or Steve Nash.

Stefanski is hoping the Sixers eventually have one of those elite point guards in the very young Holiday. Unlike Rosenberry, Stefanski sees Turner as someone who can be effective at multiple positions.

Story continues below.

"Has legit, prototype size for a 'two' guard at 6-7, the body, very intelligent with the ball," Stefanski said. "The biggest compliment you can give someone is he makes his teammates better and that's what he does. He goes left or right, slasher, finishes around the basket, going to have to keep working on his jump shot. All reports we get is that he's a gym rat."

But clearly not just a point guard in Stefanski's eyes.

"Can he play point guard? Sure," Stefanski said. "He can play 'two', he can play some 'three'. Handles the ball so well at 6-7, can go anywhere he wants on the court. I just think he's a basketball player. I think he can play any one of those positions."

One scout, who wished to remain anonymous, agreed with Stefanski.

"Evan is multitalented," the scout said. "He can play multiple positions for you. He can shoot, pass, dribble . . . Some people are saying he could be a Penny Hardaway/Grant Hill type, but he could also be a John Salmons type as well. That might be his ceiling. I don't know if he's an all-star."

Turner was the point guard at Ohio State last season because the Buckeyes had nobody else to play the position. So he took it, became player of the year and, in the process, made himself even more valuable to the NBA, a league that went from liking him as a sophomore to loving him as a junior.

With Wall, it was love at first sight. With Turner, it took a little time. As the top two players in this draft, they will be forever linked. And someday, we likely will know the answer to Wall or Turner.

 

« Prev | 1 | 2 | 3
|
|
|
|
|