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Evan Turner: Boston Celtics’ Playoff X-Factor

By Joshua Bateman

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The Boston Celtics play a style of basketball that rarely has one person stand far and above the rest. Isaiah Thomas has truly taken over on the scoring front with 19.3 points per game. The problem is that the Celtics have come to expect a lot of scoring from Thomas and they know that that is no where near enough. The key for the Celtics will be finding which role players are able to step up and take over in a game.

The Celtics are going to need solid performances from everyone who gets significant minutes and from that, at least one player will have to separate himself from the pack and be one of many difference makers the Celtics will need to steal wins from Cleveland.

Evan Turner is the most improved player on the Celtics roster and has shown the ability to take over the court in many different ways. The former second overall pick is tied for third in the league with three triple doubles and he has more than shown enough to earn the trust of Brad Stevens.

Apr 8, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Boston Celtics guard Evan Turner (11) and guard Avery Bradley (0) walk onto the court during the first quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

Turner has multiple game winning shots this season and he may be Stevens’ favourite option for his famous inbound plays during clutch time. Stevens has put all his faith in Turner and gave him an opportunity to put on display what he is capable of. The result has been one of the most important surprises of the Celtics’ season.

Turner is playing by far his best basketball of his career right now as his 10.1 points per game in April are more importantly complimented by 8.1 assists per game.

Turner has fully embraced Stevens’ offensive system as he is always willing to make the extra pass for a higher percentage shot. Turner fits even more perfectly in Stevens’s system given how efficient he plays. In the month of April Turner is shooting an incredible 44.7% on 10.6 shot attempts per game.

10.6 shots is nothing crazy but the fact that it is the most he has averaged over any month this season shows the increased role Stevens has him playing lately. It cannot be forgotten that the most shot attempts is also combined with by far his most assists per game in any month (7.1 per game in February being second best).

Apr 1, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Evan Turner (11) looks to pass the ball while Indiana Pacers forward Solomon Hill (44) defends during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

The one huge problem in Turner’s game is his three point shooting which is absolutely non existent now. While almost everyone on the Celtics roster is a threat from the three point line they do a lot of they damage from the mid range game. Turner is having the biggest impact with the mid range game and that allows Stevens to utilize him to his full potential. Turner is shooting an phenomenal 46% on two point field goals this season and that is a stark contrast to his 28% from three.

Turner is one of the most physically gifted players on the team and that is why his defensive role will also be significant in the game. Jae Crowder will surely share duties but theres a chance that the 6’7 220 lbs Turner may wind up drawing arguably the toughest assignment in the world: LeBron James.

Mar 3, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) drives against Boston Celtics guard Evan Turner (11) in the first quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

It is the tallest task in the NBA and he will certainly need help but if Turner can in some way manage to rattler or alter James’ game in any way, the Celtics will have a great opportunity in the series.

Putting so much weight on Evan Turner is a risky proposition because he is still completely unproven. The fact of the matter is that if the Celtics are going to have a chance in the series they will need some unexpected player to step up and play one of the most significant roles in the series and Evan Turner has shown the potential to be the kind of player that can take over a game.

Stevens’ trust is the most important thing for Turner and if he embraces a large role against the Cavaliers this series could wind up being the definitive moment of his young career.

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