Evan Turner Teleconference - 7/8/2010

Q: Evan what’s your first assessment of what’s going on down there?
A: “It’s definitely a little whirlwind, trying to get acclimated to the new surrounding and style of play but it’s been fun. We are all just playing hard, all the teams have been playing competitively, and as you know we won 2 out of 3 games.”

Q: What is your impression of the NBA now that you’re officially in?
A: “You know it’s a lot quicker. Also you can’t do the kind of things you did it college like hold the ball longer, you have to make your moves a little bit quicker. That’s pretty much it.”

Q: Is it what you thought it would be or how much more difficult is it than you thought?
A: “I am not too sure. It is pretty much what I thought it would be, but like I said before, the game is a little bit quicker.”

Q: A lot of times they (rookies) talk about the pace of the game being different. Have you noticed the pace just being faster and is that a bit of an adjustment?
A: “Yes, definitely because lanes close up quicker and ultimately you just have to make your move quicker, explode off your feet quicker, and basically think two-steps ahead.”

Q: Mr. Stefanski was telling us yesterday that after you played your last college game, not only you but a lot of guys in your position, that playing basketball was not allowed until after the draft. During those days that you couldn’t play full-court basketball, what kind of work-outs were you doing?
A: “I was just doing half court/full court stuff. I definitely tried to simulate transition games by taking off the glass, doing moves up the court, around chairs and getting a lot of shots up. I also practiced doing stand stills, in and outs and head fakes, things like that.”

Q: How do you feel at Summer League? Did you feel like there’s any rust on you when you first started?
A: “I think I most definitely did. I think it’s because the fact that I have not played in a while. It’s all about place, tempo and the rhythm of the game. I think I’m the type of person that plays off rhythm.”

Q: It appears that you are playing a lot of three down there with [Jodie] Meeks at the two position. Does that make any difference that you’ll probably be playing more two in the fall? Is that any difference at all?
A: “It’s different because you go from having the ball in your hands and being a playmaker to standing in the corner waiting for the ball to come towards you. There’s a lot of difference when you don’t have the ball in your hands making plays.”

Q: Is there anybody in the NBA right now who you may be similar to once you get your feet wet and really get into the NBA game? Is there anyone you can name?
A: “I don’t know if I can name anybody, but I hate to compare and show disrespect to certain players. Hopefully, I just play like myself. I think once I get my feet wet and play how I am going to play, I see myself coming together.”

Q: There are going to be times where things are not going well or you just don’t feel it. How do you deal with the moments where things are not going as well had hoped?
A: “You just have to play through it; things like fouls. You have to get used to it. Sometimes you watch TV and see something from the team and try to assimilate that into your game. You just have to play through the frustration and get on to the next play.”

Q: How would you access what you’ve done so far?
A: “I have really not been happy with what I’ve done individually, but I definitely have to get used to the pace of the game.”

Q: Certainly you have not been shooting the ball as well as I have seen you shoot, do you agree with that?
A: “Yeah, once again I have been playing off rhythm and I have to get rhythm. Right now, I have been only getting a few shots up and when you have only a few attempts, it makes it really important to you. I think it will change once I start getting the ball more and get more luck.”

Q: Doug Collins talked about learning to play off the ball, obviously that’s a work in progress and something that takes time. Is that something that you think you’re getting slowly, making that adjustment from making the plays to having the other guys make plays or helping you get good shots?
A: “Yeah, I think so. I think once things are more set and I can avoid getting the foul, things will be a lot easier.”

Q: Now that you are getting to see Jrue Holiday as a pro, I know you’ve seen him in college and prep-school days; can you talk about the way his game has matured after one year as a professional player?
A: “I think on this level, he is matured and got really acclimated to his surrounding. He knows a lot of tricks of the trade and I think he’s worked hard to better himself.”

Q: Can you tell what a year in the NBA does for you? Do you really sense that when you watch him [Jrue Holiday] and as you prepare to put yourself through that?
A: “Yeah, I think it helps him greatly. You’re used to the routine. It’s like anything, going to school, playing video games, or something like that. You know the little things that occur, you know what to expect, how to react to certain situations and how to prepare.”

Q: How much interaction have you guys had talking about this adjustment period?
A: “He just told me to overcome; that he went through the same thing last year and just take my time. It’s a big difference constantly having the ball in your hand to not having it in your hands. I think I have to find ways to get myself going, get quicker, and force the ball into my hand for a little bit.”

Q: How do you think you have played so far this summer?
A: “I’ve been playing horrible. I expect myself to be at a certain level, and I think I played badly. I am not proud of the way I played, but I’m glad I have this experience to learn new things and go back to make my wrongs right.”