Laker Rookie Turner Uses Speed, Desire to Offset Lack of Size

Andre Turner has always known what it’s like being short, but not being short and playing in the National Basketball Assn.

So, shortly before last summer’s NBA draft, the 5-foot 10-inch Turner sought the advice of someone who knows a lot about both: Spud Webb, the 5-7 sensation of the Atlanta Hawks.

Turner, drafted in the third round by the Lakers, had long conversations with Webb about being short. They talked on the phone several times and played against each other a few times in summer league games.

“I think all the guys my height, 6-foot and under, should at one time or another thank Spud,” Turner said. “He really gave guys my height a longer look by the NBA scouts. I already told him that.”

But what secrets, if any, did Webb tell Turner about making it in a profession where 6-5 guards are the norm?

“He told me it was going to be tough, and that you got to make a believer out of the whole country, but not before you make a believer of yourself,” Turner said.

Turner already believes in himself. But before convincing the rest of the world, Turner has to prove to Laker Coach Pat Riley and General Manager Jerry West that he can rise above his height limitations and be the Lakers’ backup point guard.

He had no real competition for the spot the first two weeks of practice. But the Lakers recently signed veteran guard Wes Matthews, so Turner no longer is a sure thing.

“I’m not averse to keeping both Wes and Andre,” Riley said. “Wes can play some off guard, and Andre creates a spark. That what he’s here for.”

So far, Turner has impressed Riley with his quickness, tenaciousness and ability to orchestrate the Laker fast break and set-up offense.

But as an NBA philosopher once said about the virtues of big men, you can’t teach tall. Turner is susceptible to opposing guards posting near the basket and outmuscling him for easy shots. He also has difficulty launching layups over big men. Turner was able to overcome those shortcomings and turn in good performances in the Lakers’ two exhibition games at the Forum. He scored 11 points and had 6 assists in his debut against Chicago last Friday and had 5 points and 3 assists against New York Sunday.

If the Lakers keep Turner, though, it will be more because of style than statistics. Riley, who wants the Lakers to be quicker and to run more--if possible--this season, likes Turner’s ability to push the ball upcourt every chance he gets.

“He’s so quick, he sometimes outruns the offense,” Riley said, smiling. “But that’s what I want. I can get anybody to walk it up the court.”

Full speed is the only way Turner knows how to play. Quickness, passing, a decent outside shot and 5 feet 10 inches of desire is all he has to combat his height disadvantage.

It has gotten Turner this far, and he is hoping it will be enough to make the Lakers. Turner says he is encouraged because, so far, no one has told him he may be too short to play with these guys.

“I’ve always heard it,” Turner said. “When I left high school (in Memphis), I had Memphis State, Auburn, Ole Miss and a couple other schools recruiting me. But it was like people said: ‘At least you’re getting a scholarship. You’ll never make it in college. You’re too short and these guys are too tall and you can’t do anything with them.’ ”

Turner went to Memphis State and set out to prove the small-minded people wrong. By his junior season, Turner had become one of the best point guards in the country. He was named the most valuable player of the NCAA Mideast Regional tournament as a junior after making last-second, game-winning shots that beat Alabama Birmingham and Boston College.

Last season, as a senior, Turner averaged 13.9 points and 7.7 assists and was named honorable mention All-American by the Associated Press.

By then, Webb had made it acceptable for teams to give quick little players opportunities to prove themselves. On draft day, Turner waited by his television--and waited, and waited--until he was finally selected by the Lakers in the third round. He was the 69th player chosen.

Then, as now, it didn’t bother Turner that hardly any third-round draft picks make NBA rosters. Neither did the fact that, of the 276 players in the NBA last season, only Webb was under 6-feet. Turner said he was happy to be drafted--especially by the Lakers, a team that lives to break fast and one that just traded its backup point guard, Ronnie Lester.

“You dream of something like this, playing for the Lakers,” said Turner, who talks as fast as he moves on the court. “Seriously. I can recall some of my dreams, and I see Kareem (Abdul-Jabbar) throwing in that hook and I see me passing it to him. I still have dreams, and now they’re real. I’m actually out there on the basketball court with Magic Johnson, Kareem, James Worthy, Byron Scott. . . . “

Yet, Turner doesn’t seem at all overwhelmed practicing with players who once occupied his dreams. He does, however, admit to some lack of confidence.

“I think there’s a lot of room for improvement with me, and it’s going to come by just being out there with those guys and becoming familiar,” Turner said. “I have to prove that I’m a defensive threat.

“Guys around the league, when they see a little point guard, the first thing they say is, ‘OK, let’s post him up.’ They’ll put me to the test. When a guy posts me up, I’ve got to fight like all get up to get him out of there. I always have to make it as tough as possible for guys to pass the ball or bring it up court. But that’s my personality.”

Even though he has only appeared at the Forum twice, Turner’s personality and scrambling style of play have already captivated the Forum fans, who haven’t reacted to a reserve with such fervent applause since 7-4 Chuck Nevitt left town.

It would be highly unfair and inaccurate to call Turner the antithesis of Nevitt. If the Lakers make Turner their 12th man, it won’t be merely for the sake of novelty.

“What’s the difference between having a No. 12 or 11 (player) that’s 5-10 as opposed to having one who is 6-10 and can’t play,” Riley said. “Andre, obviously, can play.”

Reserve center Petur Gudmundsson, sidelined for the last two weeks with back spasms, will not be with the Lakers tonight when they play the Chicago Bulls in the first game of a three-game exhibition trip.

The Lakers, 2-0 in exhibition play, will play the Bulls again Saturday night at Chapel Hill, N.C., then will play the Knicks Tuesday night in New York.