Does the NBA Have a Michael Turner?
Chauncey is keeping Stuckey on the benchUnless you bet against the Falcons this week, you might not know who Michael Turner is. I was one of those morons, so I’m definitely qualified to make his introduction. Turner was LaDanian Tomlinson’s backup in San Diego for the last four years, earning the title as the NFL’s best backup. But he jetted for Atlanta this off-season, and in his debut as a starter, Turner ripped off 220 yards and a couple of scores.
Basketball is a different breed. Without highly specified positions, it’s much less common to have a guy who deserves burn, but spends all of his time riding pine. As Team USA proved, you can throw a bunch of guys who play the same position (Chris Paul, Deron Williams) on the floor at the same time and still run through the comp.
But, on occasions, talent still gets buried beneath talent. With the backcourt locked down by two of the game’s greats – Chauncey and Rip, there isn’t much room for Rodney Stuckey. But after tallying 7.6 points per game last season behind Big Shot, Stuckey showed that he’s capable of far more than that during the postseason. Joe Dumars and Michael Curry are undoubtedly grooming him to replace Chauncey some day, but there are a bunch of NBA teams that would love to have him running the show right now.
Who are some other guys that fit the Michael Turner mold? Leandro Barbosa spent his first three years in the League barely seeing the floor because he was playing understudy to Steve Nash. For at least the first two weeks of last season, Jose Calderon couldn’t serious time because of T.J. Ford. (Note: Definitely didn’t mean to compare T.J. to LT). And David Lee spent a chunk of time on the bench behind Zach Randolph in ‘07.
Who is the League’s Michael Turner in ‘08?
September 9th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
craig990 says:
I Think Travis Outlaw will be the Leagues Michael Turner!
He won’t get much burn this year
Yo Dime.. bring back the NBA Loser List please!!
September 9th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
QueSt??? says:
michael”the burner” turner. carlos arroyo was that guy in orlando before otis smith decided to suck jameer nelson’s dick
September 9th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
craig990 says:
oh and…let me respect protocol and say!
first!!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 9th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
QueSt??? says:
@ craig, they will bring it back and youll be number one! rejoice motha fucka its a celebration bitches
September 9th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
Tim says:
Arroyo is terrible.
Stuckey is gonna get big burn this year…Ohio State has Terrelle Pryor, Pistons have Stuckey… Be a nice change of pace from Billups to Stuckey…
I’m waiting to see Billups and Stuckey in the backcourt with Rip at Small Forward, Prince at Power Forward, and Sheed at Center….
September 9th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
craig990 says:
Ohh ..J.J Reddick
that Kid can play… but he rides the bench harder than david stern rides LeBron’s Dick!
September 9th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
craig990 says:
@Quest!
Fuck Off!
September 9th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
JH says:
Doesn’t Arroyo play international ball now??? Hmmm…
September 9th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
it aint easy being green says:
not to compare this guy to turner, and im sure there are better examples, but what about leon powe. he gets as much burn as a virgin dick.
September 9th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
smity far away says:
smh @
”
craig990 says:
oh and…let me respect protocol and say!
first!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
September 9th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
Joe says:
I think it might be olympic sensation Rudy Fernandez, he’s going to be stuck behind Brandon Roy
September 9th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
gamebl0uses says:
flip saunders isn’t grooming anyone on the pistons anymore, he’s no longer the coach…
September 9th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
marcus the great says:
t-mac on the raptors
September 9th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
marcus the great says:
j.o. when he was on the blazers???
September 9th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
BALLZ says:
Dan Gadzuric? If the Bucks would just start him at the pivot and bench Bogut, Gadzuric has All-League potential.
September 9th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
GEE...new finishing move...the slap you silly says:
Right now I would say Steve Novack. Would he classify? I think dude could be the next Thunder Dan with the right pt and system. Just a thought.
September 9th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
hahns says:
lowry
September 9th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
isotope says:
1. Everybody that knows about the NFL knew about Michael Turner. Teams had been trying to get the Chargers to trade him the past two years. The times he did get a chance to play he was stellar. Hence why he was just given the starting job at ATL.
2. His game was against the Lions defense. Nuff said.
3. The NBA equivalent would be Beno Udrih, Hedo Turk, Joe Johnson.
September 9th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
godfreyallstar says:
boris diaw was like that…
September 9th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
craig990 says:
Jarvis Crittenton. wont get much burn
and Kyle Lowry… kid could be good but its all about Mike Con Jr
September 9th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
MoxWestCoastRep says:
I also was one of those morons. Fucking lions.
September 9th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
Diego says:
Diaw was like that in Atlanta. I think most of the Hawks fans knew he was good; Woodson just for whatever reason refused to give him burn.
What about Michael Redd? Didn’t he come out of nowhere off the Bucks bench after the George Karl debacle of Sam, Big Dog, Ray, Mason, etc.?
September 9th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
kermit the washington says:
Someone forgot that Flip ain’t coaching the Pistons anymore!
*Spaceley voice* Andrewwwwwww!! YOUUUURRRRRRR FIRED!!
September 9th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
isotope says:
Kobe decides against finger surgery
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3578123
September 9th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
SayItAintSo says:
Sergio Rodriguez
September 9th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
benchstarz says:
Top 5 Michael Turner’s for the NBA 08-09 season
5. Travis Outlaw – Blazers
Dude could start for most NBA teams and will be in the running for 6th man of the year if he doesn’t wine over being a starter a la Ben Gordon.
4. Sasha Vujacic – Lakers
Quickly becoming the new Manu/Bowen, the dude that everyone loves to hate cause he gets under your skin faster than you can say “it’s not crabs baby”. But you can’t deny his 43% from 3 point land and his tough defense…aside from getting punked by Ray Ray.
3. David Lee – Knicks
This is only if Zach Randolph doesn’t get traded otherwise he’ll be starting. David Lee is Mark Madsen and Anderson Varejo’s wet dream. An energetic forward who can consistently contribute without fouling out or dribbling the ball off his feet.
2. Jerryd Bayless – Blazers
Steve Blake will probably start the season cause unlike Bayless he knows how to run an offense. But if Bayless’ summer league is anything close to how he does in his first year then the dude will be going off for 15+ a night off the bench.
1. Rodney Stuckey – Pistons
Can’t do much but make the most of your playing time when you’re stuck behind Chauncy. He could become the next Monta Ellis if he keeps it up.
Honorable Mention:
Andray Blatche – Please, please, please Wizards managment…hire this guy a mentor or something. Give him an ankle bracelet or have him hang out with his Mom whenever he’s not working out. I guarantee he won’t be soliciting prostitutes with his Mom around.
September 9th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
chrisGO says:
michael redd was michael turner to ray allen’s ladanian tomlinson a couple years back
September 9th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
RENO says:
@ CRAIG…. You did not say Reddick and really mean that. Can’t create his own shot…. Too small for the 2 spot, Not enough handles to run the point, and you might as well be playing 5 on 4 on the defensive end.
and @ quest…. Arroyo!?!… really!?! Not even worth my response.
September 9th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
liukz says:
.jordan farmar
.maxxiel
.rodney
and carlos arooyo was too
for all the haters saying he isnt or wasnt,just cuz u hate him:
remember how he KILLED team USA,
ask AMARE? crossover anyone?
ASK Wade? hard foul on arroyo to stop the madness and arroyo poping his jersey towards him(WADE)humiliation at its best.cant top that one not even dunking over him,cuz history will never die
ask anyone who saw the game, Cuz u may hate it ,and u may say that team USA beats that island everytime
but that day team USA lost by 19 against a 3.5 million people li’l island
and everybody will know that a non nba players team got a victory against an NBA players team for the first time in olimpics games in national freaking television
.AND the main piece of the victory puzzle was CARLOS ARROYO.
PS:
and he does it everytime we played against PR
September 9th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
kermit the washington says:
I know everyone’s gonna jump on this, so lemme get my shot. This is @ all the Carlos Arroyo people in here:
We’re talking about NBA ball. Arroyo was nice in the tourney, but c’mon. You can’t say he’s a good NBA player because he was nice in International ball. OMG Liukz you got under my skin with that last comment…are you KIDDING ME?!
I can just see it now: Orlando upper management is like “Hey, let’s get rid of this Jameer Nelson fool, and use CARLOS ARROYO. After all, he was a main piece of the victory puzzle in PR!”
Geez…
September 9th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
A.R. says:
@ Tim.
That wud be a painfully small line up. Tayshaun at power forward? Your kidding right?
September 9th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
bballinca says:
HAHAHAHAHHAHAHA @ Dan Gadzuric!!! Did you ever seen him play in college? THe guys lucky to be in the league.
September 9th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
RENO says:
So let me guess liukz… you probably feel that J.C. Navarro is the greatest point guard you’ve ever seen cuase of the game he had against USA huh!?! If they were that good they’ll still be in the league…. I was gonna leave it alone… but FUCK IT! Arroyo has been in Utah (probably the most PG friendly system)… And what happened!?!… let’s move to Detroit (Ask Billups what brown did for him?)… And no liukz, I wasn’t talking about UPS… Back to the bum now… he still gets another chance in Orlando and what did he do!?! Please tell me what team should Arroyo be starting for…. DON’T WORRY… I’LL WAIT!
September 9th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
J says:
i know its up here twice but micheal redd was the original micheal turner. today barbosa is, especially if somebody could steal him away in free agency
September 9th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
kevin k says:
my man Josh Childress is/was the mike turner… I had him in my fantasy bball team and i reside in the A~ so i payed close attention to him(plus my best friend was a classmate to Jchilz at GA STATE so i got to know him lil better). JChillz was the most consistant hawks player and when he was given minutes and shot attempts, he was killing. it wasnt unusal to see him drop 20 pts 8rbs 7asts, 2stls, 2 blks. If he didn’t have a scrub like M williams, or shot happy jj or js and a coach who actually knows how to coach, jchillz would have been a great player. gluck in greece
September 9th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
S-SiN says:
Does JR Smith, because of his style of play count in this?It’s gonna be Rorigues in 08-09, but as some of those classic ones that stand out as a breakout and the ones no one’s mentioned yet, i think of Terrell Brandon behind Mark Price, Ben Wallace from Magic to Detroit… Mark Maguire.
September 9th, 2008 at 6:20 pm
iain. says:
this season there is one player i want to see get some real burn: Mikael Pietrus. I’m over sure he will shock a lot of people if his heads right and hes given a chance.
September 9th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
rodnets says:
stop making football comparisons, the rest of the world dont give a damn about it. or should i ask who is the Ronaldo of the nba??? come on
September 9th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Michorizo says:
Randy Foye … ok i’m just rooting for him
September 9th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
chiaki says:
Jared Dudley.. he’s buried on bench behind Crash Wallace and JRich.. He ain’t ACC player of the year for nothing..
September 9th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
QueSt??? says:
@ kermit and all of yall who are making fun of my decision u probably havent seen arroyo all too much, when he was in the jazz he averaged 14 points a game and 8 assits and keep in mind that he split time at the point guard. also there is a reason why arroyo was traded to be billups backup when larry brown was coaching, and whenever jameer nelson stumbled or was injured arroyo stepped in and averaged more points and assits than jameer nelson, also he had a better win percentage than jameer. The dude has 14 assits on a half! the problem with him was that he was to defiant, and in orlando otis smith gave away too much money to jameer and arroyo was clearly out playing him so thats why they dint play that much, and there is evidence of this, when jameer sat out and arroyo outplayed him in the game, the next game arroyo wouldnt play. anyone who actually saw him play knows that everything i said is true
September 9th, 2008 at 8:59 pm
QueSt??? says:
@ reno arroyo could have started for the heat, infact they offered him a contract but he decided to go overseas for the same reason josh childress did, more money. arroyo wanted a long deal and pat riley said that they are not signing anyone to a long term year because of Armageddon 2010.
September 9th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
sans says:
Steve Nash was Michael Turner when Kidd was in PHX. Kevin Johnson was too, when Mark Price was running it in Cleveland. Today, it’s gotta be Branden Wright, grabbing no burn in GS, despite having Al Harrington as his main obstacle. GS should go big sometimes, throw Harrington at the 3 SJack 2 and monta 1 with Biedrins and Wright lurking in the paint, they could bang. And Wright has to be able to rebound better than Harrington. Al relies on eddy curry to being in the L so no one calls him out as the worst rebounding frontcourt player.
September 9th, 2008 at 11:24 pm
Amar says:
paul millsap
September 9th, 2008 at 11:39 pm
Jon says:
Amen, Amar.
Just watch everyone:
Boozer’s going to opt out of his contract next summer, and he’s going to sign with another team. And what will happen to my beloved Jazz?
Millsap will take over the spot, and nobody will even notice a difference. Except for the sudden rush of hustle, toughness, and defense coming from the power forward spot to match the double-double.
September 10th, 2008 at 12:25 am
re says:
“Leandro Barbosa spent his first three years in the League barely seeing the floor because he was playing understudy to Steve Nash. ”
WTF?? He started 46 of his 70 games in his first season with suns(03-04). Only in 04-05 season he was a benchwarmer. In 05-06 he was a sixth man scorer for the Suns already.
September 10th, 2008 at 12:39 am
penny says:
anyone remember Ronald Flip Murray’s short-lived run as NBA top-5 scorer back in Seattle?
Also, Mike Redd- when Ray Allen got traded to the Sonics (RIP) Redd stepped up as an all-star in ‘03-’04
September 10th, 2008 at 12:49 am
liukz says:
kermit the washington
dude u dont KNOW basketball and NBA business
do u really think jameer nelson its a better point guard than arroyo? did u see the games when arroyo started and the better statictics?
if u do then u dont know crap
know im the one whos waiting!
cuz maybe u dont know but CHAUNCEY BILLUPS said arroyo should have be a starter
billups is a great pg in the L, and maybe he knows a li’l better than u
a yes i said that everytime arroyo plays against USA he does some crazy stuff on them
he isnt scoring lots,
but USA point guards cant stop his handles and mixtape moves on them
see the games .then u’ll know better
dont just see espn for highlights cuz they are not showing u the things that other teams do to team USA
go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1iW-oqYnMs&feature=related
,be a witness and shut up
September 10th, 2008 at 1:13 am
liukz says:
FOR kermit the washington and reno
(start calling 9-1-1)
i know all the hate is cuz arroyo destroyed team USA in Greece, felt the same
i know it hurts a lot cuz once again PR is so small man
team,felt the same
but let make some stuff clear:
1. arroyo is not in the L
cuz he is in ISRAEL where he is going to be a starter
and maybe u dont know but the maccabi tel-aviv club its a great team,and better than a lot of NBA teams
and the european tournament its a REAL BIG DEAL
2.something about economics for all the idiots asking why all those players not longer in the L playing overseas…
easy MORE MILLIONS(OF EUROS) and more playing time
3.arroyo was wanted in the NBA by :miami,new york,denver,New jersey,
so were delfino,navarro,childress they all where still wanted by teams
4.and maybe u dont u know about globalization but the NBA is not the greatest thing anymore
the greatest currency will have the better stuff
euros worth more than our dollars …ask lebron and kobe
READ! knowledge is power and u are weak
so are ur arguments and jokes
September 10th, 2008 at 2:22 am
re says:
“maccabi tel-aviv club its a great team,and better than a lot of NBA teams”. Yeah, that’s why nba busts like Mace Baston, Anthony Parker, Sarunas Jasi…whatever, and now Arroyo are Kobe\Lebron caliber stars there.
September 10th, 2008 at 3:53 am
HugotheHornet says:
Jake Voskul, if he ever got some burn he could be a pretty darn good big man in the league
September 10th, 2008 at 9:01 am
loot says:
Wilson Chandler. All he has to do is beat out the fatso who’s next to rip and melo here:
http://www.thescore.ca/blogs/branded/Team_Jordan_1280×800.jpg
For real, Chanlder is a perfect D’Antoni player.
September 10th, 2008 at 10:20 am
RENO says:
liuks…. 1st off, I am Puerto Rican…. So I was Proud when PR beat USA, but that has nothing to do with Arroyo being a starter in the NBA. like i asked you yesterday…. What NBA team should Arroyo be starting on…… STILL WAITING!?! And if you think that the NBA isn’t the premier league in the world, then you truly are the fool that I thought you were. Question, can you even tell me who was the Euro MVP and number one team without looking it up???? Didn’t think so, why??? CAUSE NOBODY GIVES A SHIT ABOUT OVERSEAS…. But I bet you know who’s doing what in the NBA… IDIOT!
September 10th, 2008 at 11:26 am
liukz says:
Reno i feel sorry 4 ut ignorance:
i toll u to read ,obviously you dont do that:
1.”What NBA team should Arroyo be starting on?”
a.miami
b.orlando
c.new york
2.”And if you think that the NBA isn’t the premier league in the world…”
I dint say it that. But that is not the only one anymore and there are millions on fans in europe that LOVE euro basket.
and if u were a good reader u’ll know that NBA is about talent but about the millions they spend in promotions and stuff too. it was 100% basketball, know is 50% basketball and 50% business.
thats why fools,morons,idiots like u dont know about euroleague. cuz u wont see no euro league commercials on ur favorite tv shows. they dont sell jerseys and stuff.
there are no euro commercials about “futbol” or soccer in the USA and they have the greatest soccer league ever.
but im pretty sure u only know about beckham.IDIOT
3.”Question, can you even tell me who was the Euro MVP and number one team without looking it up?”
i know u felt brilliant in this one!
cuz they dont let read the 12 hours u are working in mcdonalds
first of all,they dont even bother giving all the attention to individuals
euro is more of a team game
thats why parker was euro mvp but he is a role player in the NBA for you
guess what? he WAS a role player in his euro team too
TEAM BASKETBALL
the name that matters in euroleague is the one in the front of the jersey
they don t sell their league about stars,they sell it about TEAMS,CLUBS,PRIDE
and guess what they are giving euros away like crazy
4.”NOBODY GIVES A SHIT ABOUT OVERSEAS….”
i guess u dont
but every other inteligent human being does
our country is full of IDIOTS like u that think the world is about USA.
cuz u are a freaking puppet of the “Laissez-faire”,and i know u dont know crap about it
It means Capitalism . and thats why u are a mcdonalds slave
aside from being an IDIOT….DING! FRIES READY!MORON!
If u had a mind not cover in big mac special sauce u should know that in EUROPE the NBA is a big deal but their own League is most IMPORTANT to them.
AND guess what? there are millions of more people living in europe
and finally
JUST wait for the day when euro players start building their bodies like nba stars,with all the crap they consume
CUZ if u saw the olimpics, no team CENTER had LeBron shoulders or biceps
if someday euros get the drugs(not talking about bad drugs) they can build their bodies bigger too
and im telling you,they will
they have the EUROS(currency or money for you)to do it
and please dont ever talk to me again face to face
cuz u are an IDIOT that dont know facts
i hate when people talk without knowledge but emotions
stupid Hater
te deberia dar verguenza lambon!
lee ,instruyete y luego opina q estas hablando puras idioteces.
y si no te gusta BREGA papa!
q yo estoy en la nacion pero no me creo q esto es lo mejor del mundo, no menosprecies lo de otros por con ese stament de who gives a shit about overseas incluyes a Puerto Rico y a los tuyos.
September 10th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
RENO says:
liuks…. damn son, you really do ride the short bus huh!?!… Go enjoy your soccer and Euro ball… Leave the NBA alone. You not even worth the time it took to type this. I’m all for a good argument.. but you not making any sense son. It’s like talking to a french wall. HA!
September 10th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
loot says:
sorry reno, but that post liuks wrote pretty much put you in your place.
just saying…
September 10th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
RENO says:
@LOOT… Not at all fam. The League has always been a business has it not???? All i’m saying is that Arroyo is not a starter in the league…. All that other dumb shit he talking is just that.
September 10th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
HATE08 says:
well i pretty much agree with what reno had to say. Arroyo is good, but not enuf to be a starter.
September 10th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
HATE08 says:
oh yeah, Barack Ohateah for president!!!!!!!!
September 11th, 2008 at 6:00 am
LionsSuck says:
Michael Turner isn’t even the next Michail Turner yet.
Tearing up the Lions run defense does not a career make.