Evan Turner

Evan Turner Quietly Turning Things Around in Portland

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Evan Turner is enjoying a solid stretch of basketball and finally looks comfortable in a Blazers’ uniform

Portland’s favorite scapegoat is turning things around.

The one major addition, a $70 million addition to be exact, to last year’s successful team is Evan Turner. The Trail Blazers have taken a step backward the first month of the season. For Turner personally, he could not have started the season with a worse few weeks. It inspired this article last week.

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Rip City Project 11hThe One Reason Portland isn't as Successful This Year

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19h - Trail Blazers Trade Asset Report: Important Dates 1 d - Trail Blazers Defense Continues Sinking to New Lows 1 d - 2016-17 NBA Power Rankings: Warriors Or Cavaliers On Top In Week 6?1 d - Blazers Allow 100+ Points for 17th Time This Season 2d - Trail Blazers Unable to Match the Rockets OffenseMore News at Rip City Project

However, since RCP declared him NOT the worst NBA player, Turner is enjoying an efficient stretch of basketball. Over the last five games, he is shooting 50% from the field, 36% from deep and averaging 14ppg – 3rpg -3apg. For the season, his field goal percentage is finally above the embarrassing 40% mark. Turner is even turning the ball over less often.

The resurgence is not necessarily translating to team success or even an improved plus/minus for Turner. (He still ranks dead last in the NBA in ESPN’s Real Plus/Minus rating) Portland’s bench continues to be atrocious, but Allen Crabbe’s shooting slump requires an equal amount of blame. Turner’s fit on Portland is still very much a work in progress, but it is encouraging that Turner finally looks comfortable in his role.

At the very least, the blame for the underwhelming start to the season no longer resides on his shoulders. It’s clearly a defensive issue.

The Trail Blazers offense has been fantastic, even with Turner and Crabbe slumping for a majority of the year. Unfortunately, that does not matter with how easy the opposition scores on Portland. Luckily, the Blazers got a rare day-off practice on Monday that was focused only on defense.