CBB: The Basketball Nexus, Evan Turner be thy name

Posted: March 22nd, 2010 | Author: Zim | Filed under: Buckeye Cagers, Mr. Invictus Manero, NCAAB | No Comments »

Do you hear the music too?  Oh, yeah…there it is…ahhhhh yeah.  I still prefer Evan Almighty though for a nickname there Mr. Maneo. (artwork by JW)

• The Basketball Nexus…explained…
• Ohio State breezes into the Sweet 16, riding the coat tails of the Super Man of Buckeye Nation…downs Georgia Tech…leaps tall buildings with a single bound…
• Evan Turner, according to JW is in elite company.

by Invictus Maneo
art by JW
edited by Mike Zimmer 

Relentless pursuer, physical rebounder, eagle eye court vision, blazing speed and footwork.  You could be confused if you thought a Superhero was being described but you know we’re talking Evan Almighty here.  On top of these attributes, he plays well with others and is one damn fine citizen.

Evan Turner may be the finest college basketball player out there, but don’t discount the fact that Turner is this years’ Basketball Nexus.  Each new basketball season produces what is called the “Basketball Nexus.”  Consider it like a “Vergence in the Force” from the worst Star Wars movie ever.  The Basketball Nexus is, again poorly paraphrased, centered around one individual.  There are many players who are skilled and raise to the top of their ranks, but there is always one ends up standing out like dog turd on a white Beemer’s hood.  Evan Turner is that stinky nugget, er Nexus.

The Nexus does not develop based solely on personal skill of the player it envelopes, though Turner’s is storied.  It helps to have a truly gifted player, as that is the primary ingredient but not the only.  Other ingredients can include a cohesive starting unit that plays to each other’s strengths, a coach who supports your every decision on the court, and meeting opposing teams at the “right time,” and good old fashioned Chinese Luck (as in “if we don’t have it, we will manufacture it”).

Turner has grown his game from his first day on the court for the Buckeyes.  He has seen 20% improvement in almost every major measurable statistic year over year, each year he has been at Ohio State.  Points per game, rebounds, assists, even (unfortunately) turnovers – though I think the increase in the amount of ball time has contributed to turnovers as well.  The only two categories where he has not improved in the 20th percentile or higher are Blocks (15% increase y.o.y.) and steals (two seasons strait at 1.8 per game).

EVAN TURNER CAREER MAJOR STATISTICS 

YR.       PPG     RPG     APG     T.O.     BLK.     STL.     T.P.      T.R.
FR        8.5       4.4       2.6       2.7       .5         1.3       313      164
SO       17.3     7.1       4.0       3.5       .8         1.8       572      234
JR         20.3     9.2       5.9       4.2       1.0       1.8       629*    286*
SR        23.8†   11.9†   8.6†     4.2       1.0†     1.8       692†    319†

*  Point and rebound estimates based on possible run to Elite 8

†  Number estimates based on SO. to JR. year growth percentages of PPG (17.4% ?), RPG (29.5% ?), APG (47% ?), T.P. (10% ?), and T.R. (12.6% ?)

As you can see the numbers above speak to someone of immense skill who is in the right place at the right time.  Should E.T. decide to come back for his Senior campaign (fat chance, though by many accounts he is “considering it”) and maintain his current pace, he will break Dennis Hopson’s Buckeye record of 2,096 points with 2,145 of his own.  He is also on track to finish third all time to Jerry Lucas (1,411) and Herb Williams (1,111) in Total Rebounds with 1,003.  

From his Freshman year to his Sophomore Turner went from Padawan Learner to Jedi.  From his Sophomore Jedi year to this year’s Jedi Master.  Can you say “Once a Year” kind of player?  Much like Larry Bird, Ralph Sampson, and Kevin Durant , Evan Turner is the Basketball Nexus.  And yes, to finish all of these horrible Star Wars analogies, if he stays for his Senior campaign he will be going for Galactic Emperor!

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