First off, let me say everything Evan Turner has earned, he has earned. The 70 million dollars over four years, (17 million a year) is money offered to him by Paul Allen and the Portland Trail Blazers; he didn’t steal it. Turner is 29 years old, a 9-year pro and is approaching his 600th career game (598). A man that put in his work and finally got paid. It is all but unfortunate that he has not played up to his 70 million dollar contract.
While last season for Turner began on cloud nine, (a 16.3 million dollar cloud) the season ended with Turner having an estranged relationship with the fans. Turner averaged a disappointing 9.0 points per game, 3.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists. This was all while playing 25.5 minutes a game, and did I mention he shot 26.3 percent from three, yikes! However, the estranged relationship with the fans came to a head a couple of weeks ago during a home game against Sacramento. In Jason Quick article on Evan Turner and the naysers Turner recalls the specific altercation with the fan, a Blazer fan.
“Hey Evan! I see you got your typical two! Your typical two!’’’ Turner said, recreating the scene. He shakes his head thinking back to it. “All year … That’s what you call a true fan, huh?’’. So, late in that Sacramento game, Turner faced the “dumb redneck,” who sits three rows back from the court. “When I turned around and cursed him out, he turned bright red,’’ Turner said chuckling.
See, Evan Turner unlike most millionaires across the globe, is a 6’9 small forward and is judged for literally everything he does on the basketball floor. That judgment he receives should not be from the guy in the stands who probably couldn’t touch the net. It should come from his coaching staff or his peers. Too many times in sports fandom do we get caught up in how much a certain player is paid. When in reality if it was us getting paid, we be probably talking like Evan Turner.
“First off, let me say one thing: Everything I have done, I have earned,’’ Turner said. “My contract – that’s my bread, and I earned my bread. So, kiss my ass. Dead serious. Write that. I earned that (expletive) money.”
Another NBA player decided to show their support for Evan Turner’s contract comments, Chandler Parsons. A man who is far to familiar with the word “over paid.” See how Chandler Parson decided to represent for the everyday million dollar man.