New coach Brett Brown assures Evan Turner that 76ers won’t tank in 2013

April 15, 2013; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Philadelphia 76ers small forward Evan Turner (12) reacts during the second quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
April 15, 2013; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Philadelphia 76ers small forward Evan Turner (12) reacts during the second quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
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April 15, 2013; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Philadelphia 76ers small forward Evan Turner (12) reacts during the second quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
April 15, 2013; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Philadelphia 76ers small forward Evan Turner (12) reacts during the second quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /

Brett Brown, the newly hired coach of the Philadelphia 76ers, knows that people in the media expect his team to tank in 2013 in hopes of grabbing Andrew Wiggins. Evan Turner is also aware of that expectation. The two agree, though, that tanking isn’t (and shouldn’t be) in the cards.

Turner spoke about the issue at his Evan Turner Basketball ProCamp on Saturday, referring to a conversation between himself and Brown:

"I told him, ‘Everybody wants to be in tank mode and thinks we’re going to lose. I intend on trying to win as much as possible because losing’s too easy. ‘He said, ‘Well, they got the wrong coach if we’re going to go out and lose on purpose. We want to compete and get better’ (PhillyBurbs.com)."

Turner continued: “(Brown) said he wants to get us in the best fitness shape of our life. He feels like my skills will flourish in that situation.”

The 76ers, of course, traded away all-star guard Jrue Holiday already this off-season and acquired both Nerlens Noel and Michael Carter-Williams.

[Source: PhillyBurbs.com]