Why 76ers’ Evan Turner claims he was ‘supposed to be like LeBron James’
Would Evan Turner have been the next LeBron James for the 76ers?
When you’re a top-five pick in the NBA Draft, the team that picks you is bound to have high expectations. However, things were probably at their highest regarding the Philadelphia 76ers and Evan Turner. During an appearance with Jeff Teague on the Club 520 Podcast, Turner shared that the team hoped to be the next LeBron James.
“‘When number two dropped, it’s like, oh, I guess I’ll be a Philadelphian or whatever,” said Turner. “So luckily, that was the case, and we went and did a workout, and you know, everything worked well until the first game. And then, you know, life changed.
“What happened after the first game,” asked Teague.
“Sh*t was real like sh*t like I was supposed to come in and be LeBron James,” exclaimed Turner. “I had to talk to my sponsors. I got partners but didn’t have them by the second year.”
“Why did they think you were going to be the man in Philly,” asked one of the Club 520 hosts.
“Because I was cold,” said Turner. “But to be honest with you, I’m just joking. I got drafted to a really good team and a really good situation. When I thought, at Philly, I thought, ‘No, I want to go to Golden State at No. 7.’ Because I wanted to play with Steph and it wasn’t just because of fit.