New-look Sixers surprise each other at camp

It is one thing to study scouting reports when preparing for an opponent and learning about the tendencies of various players. It is another thing to see those same players in the practice gym day after day. 

Sixers newcomer Jason Richardson said the one thing that has truly surprised him in the first three days of training camp is the play of fellow Big Ten product, Evan Turner.

“Evan jumped out at me,” Richardson said. “I didn’t know his ball-handling was that great. I knew he could handle the ball, watching him in the Big Ten against Michigan State (Richardson’s alma mater). But he can really handle the ball and he can play some point guard for us, so he was surprising.”

Just as Richardson is learning of an added dimension to Turner’s game, Dorell Wright is teaching everyone that he, in addition to knocking down threes, can be a playmaker as well.

“I was one of those kids who had to play guard all my life and then grew as a late bloomer and grew a few inches, so that was something I always had as a part of my game,” Wright said of his ball-handling ability. “When I was in Miami they tried to get me to be like (Hedo) Turkoglu, being a point-forward and handling the ball. Me being 6-8, I can see over the defense to get guys involved.”

Doug Collins and his staff could not be more pleased to learn of Wright’s ability to distribute the basketball.

“It is exciting for me because with that second unit we were a little concerned about some ball-handling,” Collins said. “But he has been a real pleasant surprise there, and he is really smart.”