During the summer of 2009, Hedo Turkoglu was one of the hottest names on the market free agent. A summer later, he’s the most exciting addition to the Suns’ franchise.
The 6-10 forward arrived in Phoenix via a trade that sent guard Leandro Barbosa and forward/center Dwayne Jones to Toronto. The Suns are hoping that Turkoglu helps fill the scoring void created by Amar’e Stoudemire’s departure.
Not only can he score, but he can also distribute the ball to others. In particular, Suns point guard Steve Nash, a career 43-percent three-point shooter, could benefit from Turkoglu’s playmaking.
“He can create his own shot and he can facilitate shots with everybody else,” Suns Head Coach Alvin Gentry said. “I like the fact that we can take Steve off the ball some and make Steve (Nash) a shooter.
"We need to utilize that some and now we can with Hedo out on the floor.”
Turkoglu captured the 2007-08 Most Improved Player Award by averaging a career-best 19.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and five assists a game for Orlando. A go-to-guy in the clutch, Turkey’s national team captain possesses a renowned reputation for hitting pressure shots.
“Everybody knows that Hedo is a special guy in the league,” Suns assistant coach Bill Cartwright said. “For one thing, he’s a 6-10-ballhandler, similar to a Toni Kukoc-type of player. Anytime you can add a guy that can make other people better, you know you added a special guy.”
Besides Kukoc, Cartwright compares Turkoglu’s versatility to the Lakers’ Lamar Odom because of his ability to guard and play multiple positions. When a team needs him to score, he can post up a smaller defender, or he can dribble around taller opponents.
If Nash is in need of a rest or wants to play off the ball, Turkoglu can facilitate. The possibilities are limitless in how they use him.
“He wants the ball at the end of the game, he’s not scared and he can make shots,” Cartwright added. “It’s going to be fun to have him this year and see where we can put other teams in distress and see how valuable we can make him.”
Although he averaged 11.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists a game last season in Toronto, it was considered a sub-par season for the 10-year veteran. Therefore, the fact that Turkoglu took less money to come to Phoenix should be a clear sign that he’s committed to proving last season was an aberration.
Playing in an offense that is conducive for his talents, one gets the feeling that proof will be arriving shortly.
Source: NBA.com
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