CBS - Stan Hochman, long-time writer for the Philadelphia Daily News, says that there’s a reason for Turner’s troubles. “There’s an explanation for Turner’s inconsistent play. One of these days, the team, with Turner’s permission, will reveal it. And then the criticism will back off,” he said during an interview with 94WIP’s Angelo Cataldi and The Morning Team on Wednesday. Hochman indicated that the information was given to him with the knowledge that he would not reveal exactly what the problem is. He said that at some point this season, he believes it will be made public. Hochman has never been known as a rumor-monger, so one would believe there is validity to what he told Cataldi.

By now most of us know about the report that came out last week that everyone’s favorite bust-turned-superstar had a hidden “issue” that the team knew about but the fans weren’t yet privy to. Many speculated what it could be, and as the time approached when we were expecting to hear what the deal actually was, the team decided to defer the issue and no longer discuss the matter. Add that to the fact that Evan became a starter, looked like possibly the best player on the team, and led the Sixers to 3 straight wins and the whole “issue” thing was quickly swept under the rug.

But what the hell was that all about, anyway? It’s no secret to anyone who follows the team that Doug Collins rides Evan harder than the other players. We don’t know why, but since day 1 Evan Turner has seemingly been in Doug’s doghouse, always being the first one to get yelled at and yanked off the court onto the bench. We could take this as a coach trying to get the most out of his young player, but perhaps there is something larger at play.

J.E. Skeets brought up Evan’s possible bipolar disorder yesterday on TBJ’s The Fix, which has quickly become one of my favorite shows — internet or tv. Skeets mentioned a book that recently came out by Mark Titus called “Don’t put me in coach” which is the story of Titus as a bench-warmer for Ohio State. As per the book, Evan (who actually got his “Villian” nickname from Titus) was convinced “that everyone was either trying to piss him off or keep him out of the NBA” and became known as a dude that would kick a ball across the gym in practice if he missed a couple shots. Titus goes on (apparently goes on…I didn’t read the book) to tell stories about how their coach would schedule 90 minute practices and the team would only have to run suicides if Turner flipped out, which he always would end up doing.

In the end, all Skeets did was take a book full of examples, the knowledge of this “announcement” the Sixers were going to make about ET, and draw a logical conclusion. To me it seems fair, although it in no way explains why Doug Collins would be extra hard on the kid.  And what effect does being bi-polar have on someone’s ability to play basketball?  Possible friction with other players on the team?  Doug did mention last week that part of what makes Evan good is that he “believes he’s the best player on the floor”.  I could see how Jrue, Thad, EB, and especially Iguodala could take issue with that.

UPDATE (via CB):