Today, Turner (above) is a bench-warmer with the Celtics trying to earn one last NBA payday, and DeMarcus Cousins, who was drafted by Sacramento, is averaging 23.9 points and 12.6 rebounds per game!
By Harry Allison
Big-time props are in order for Elton Brand, the former Sixer who is playing out the string of his fine NBA career with the Atlanta Hawks.
Thanks to Brand, we finally know why the Sixers wasted the No. 2 pick in the 2010 draft on Evan Turner, who turned out to be a whining underachiever, instead of DeMarcus Cousins.
Brand, in an interview with LibertyBallers.com (via Ball Don’t Lie), blames coach Doug Collins:
A year prior, leading up to the 2010 NBA Draft, many players on the Sixers were expecting the team’s front office to draft Kentucky big man DeMarcus Cousins with the No. 2 overall pick. Then as Collins’ control of the Sixers’ roster moves increased, it became apparent Philly was going to go in a different direction.
“Doug Collins wouldn’t have coached DeMarcus Cousins,” Brand said…
“Rod Thorn was letting Collins do his thing and coach thought we reached our maximum potential and wanted to go another way,” Brand said.
At the time of the draft, Turner was seen as a poor man’s Brandon Roy (pre-injuries) who had a decent all-around game and who was fantastic in transition. He seemed like a fit next to Jrue Holiday, but there were questions about how high Turner’s ceiling was. Everyone knew Cousins’ ceiling but also knew he would be a real challenge to coach.
Bottom line:
Today, Turner is a bench-warmer with the Celtics trying to earn one last NBA payday, and Cousins, who was drafted by Sacramento, is averaging 23.9 points and 12.6 rebounds per game!.
