Two triple-doubles in a row for Evan Turner. According to the kind Portland commentators (props to them because I’m WAY too lazy to do anything but the most basic statistical research for these descriptions), this is the first set of consecutive triple-doubles for a Blazer since Clyde Drexler back in the dark ages. Again, I’m too lazy to double-check, but we’re going to assume that they’re not in the business of spreading FAKE NEWS.
The upshot of this is that we can now compare Turner to Drexler and not have it be totally laughable. So that’s cool. When you can match the statistical feat of an all-timer (who would be remembered much more fondly if MJ stuck with baseball like his dad wanted him to) as a semi-bust role-player, that’s pretty cool. It means something. Maybe something like you’re not so much of a bust after all.
The Blazers are paying him 18 million this year and next, so it’s good thing that he’s finally giving them some production, even if Stotts kept him in longer than intended so he could statpad his way to this triple-double. His minutes and opportunities have been way down as this season has headed towards the ‘offs, with him getting injured and losing touches to Rodney Hood. Rodney Hood, of all people. That’s not a good sign. It remains to be seen if he’ll continue this or if this was one of the weird aberrations that occurs at the end of NBA seasons. But he has done stuff like this before, back with Boston, and that year he actually did have a good game in the playoffs. Somehow. Even though he’s a bust.