Tyreke Evans Appreciation Thread

[Stiffy_18]

I am going to display my obvious bias here but screw it....

The kid deserves some recognition for what he is doing at the age of 20. Stripped Agent Zero in a clutch defensive play and hit both free throws to win the game.

Currently averaging 20.3ppg, 5.1rpg, 5apg and 1.5spg

If he keeps these numbers for the rest of the season he would become only the 4th player in the NBA history to average at least 20ppg, 5rpg and 5apg as a rookie (Oscar Robertson, Michael Jordan, and LeBron James).

 

[Stiffy_18]

[YOUTUBE]XZJSnRwuelA[/YOUTUBE]

 

[von_wafer]

The kid is a gun. If Jennings has his own ROTY thread then I think Evans deserves one too, they are clearly the two leading contenders.

 

[Vegas.]

I've just had a lightblub moment. I remember watching a story on ESPN maybe a year or so ago about a kid that was managed/coached by his 3 brothers through high school and he was just about to go into college. I meant to follow his progress, but forgot his name. I'm pretty sure now that it was indeed Tyreke. There was also something about him being at the scene of a gang shooting, but that he was not involved. Does this sound right Stiffy?

 

[spexau]

Great thread

Quickly becoming one of my favourite players to watch in the NBA. So much class and poise for a rookie. Will be fun watching him develop.

 

[Stiffy_18]

I've just had a lightblub moment. I remember watching a story on ESPN maybe a year or so ago about a kid that was managed/coached by his 3 brothers through high school and he was just about to go into college. I meant to follow his progress, but forgot his name. I'm pretty sure now that it was indeed Tyreke. There was also something about him being at the scene of a gang shooting, but that he was not involved. Does this sound right Stiffy?

Yep thats Tyreke!

He had his 3 brothers coach him (known as Team Tyreke) and protect him from the gangs in the area. They started coaching him from a very young age. They would even gaffer tape one arm to his body so he would learn how to dribble with both hands. It was a calculated effort to develop his talents and get him to the NBA.

He even had one of his brothers attend his workouts with him!

 

[Dez!]

IMO Jennings and Evans will be the best two players from the class of 2009, both will be better than Blake Griffin.

They have the potential to go to that superstar level in the NBA, so good watching him play but for Sacremento it's even better knowing he's a King playing for the Kings.

 

[jerry springer]

definatly a good player.going to be very interesting watching the rookie race when Griffins re-enters the mix

 

[Stiffy_18]

THAT play!

[YOUTUBE]N29fcM4qdiM[/YOUTUBE]

 

[Vegas.]

Yep thats Tyreke!

He had his 3 brothers coach him (known as Team Tyreke) and protect him from the gangs in the area.

Of course! Not sure how I managed to forget that one.

What's he like on defense (clutch steals aside)? I've really only see him play once, and it's not easy to judge.

 

[spexau]

I wouldn't say I'm the greatest judge of NBA talent in the world but you could said Evans' defense is pretty sound. But I guess he will develop his defensive game as he gains more experience. His strength and size helps him a lot though.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Of course! Not sure how I managed to forget that one.

What's he like on defense (clutch steals aside)? I've really only see him play once, and it's not easy to judge.

Without a doubt our best perimeter defender. He is a very good defender right not and he has the potential to be great on D. His size, quickness, reach (6-feet, 11 ¼-inch wingspan) and his work ethic will see him become one of the best perimeter defenders in the league. No doubt he plays both sides of the ball.

Some comments from various NBA coaches, players and GMs

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/ian_thomsen/12/17/tyreke.evans/index.html?xid=cnnbin

"You hate to compare players like this," said Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan on Wednesday after escaping with a 95-88 win against Evans' Kings, "but I think he's got some Magic [Johnson] in him. He's a big guard that can see the floor, he's unselfish, he gets to the rim, he uses his body very well, he's good in transition, he can rebound and push the ball, and a small or big guard doesn't really faze him."

"As he stretches the defense and learns to hit that outside shot even more," said Blazers All-Star guard Brandon Roy, "he's going to really become a double threat. Because right now he's almost un-guardable getting to the basket."

Evans appreciates the impact he makes. "I'm going to the basket and making contact with them every chance I get," he said. "I was playing [Timberwolves 6-foot rookie] Jonny Flynn the other night and he said to the refs, 'Man, I didn't know I had to guard LeBron James tonight.'"

"He's a walking mismatch,'' said Kings coach Paul Westphal. "Very few times do you have a rookie [who can] affect the game plan of the other coach, but they set their defense to try to stop him. He's responded really well in figuring out what the next move is: If they double team here what do you do about that, if they put this guy on you, what do you do about that? There's just not one thing you can do to curb his effectiveness."

http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/sports/kings/archives/2009/12/postgame-reacti-1.html

And you can add Arenas to the list of opposing players who are praising Evans:

"I like him. He's 6-6 and I think he's 220 pounds. Guards that come in that size as a rookie are like LeBron and D. Wade came in at that size. They're hard to guard. I'm considered a big guard in this league and going against Tyreke I felt little tonight. He has the poise of Brandon Roy when he came into the league. He plays at his own speed and never looked flustered out there. I think it's a great pickup for the Sacramento Kings."

http://www.sacbee.com/kings/story/2375544.html

This time, the kind words came from Heat All-Star guard Dwyane Wade. Though he didn't draw the primary defensive assignment of covering Evans, Wade came away impressed with Evans' play.

"He's a good young player," Wade said. "He has the most complete game, as a rookie, in the league. When you talk about the best rookies, he has the most complete game. He can do it all. He's a great player. They have a good pick in him."

 

[Hodges]

Subscribbled. Evans is going to be a star in this league, no doubt. I was initially sceptical of him playing the point, but he is growing into the position well. He sees the floor well, and at his height he is a huge mismatch against nearly every other point in the league. The jumper needs work (fades too much), but his driving is silky smooth, can get to the rim at will.

Jennings is also pretty damn good, but Evans is looking like the ROY.

 

[Messenger]

Twolves took a different tact with Tyreke today, guarding him with a small forward (Wilkins) while Flynn and Sessions remained traditional PG's on offense.

10 pts, 8 assists.

 

[Hodges]

I could see that working, but wouldnt that leave Flynn or Sessions on someone like Green? Sactown likes to start a very tall lineup, guarding Reke with a SF would create a heap of matchup problems elsewhere.

That said, it obviously worked, so will be interesting to see if other teams try it out.

 

[Messenger]

I could see that working, but wouldnt that leave Flynn or Sessions on someone like Green? Sactown likes to start a very tall lineup, guarding Reke with a SF would create a heap of matchup problems elsewhere.

That said, it obviously worked, so will be interesting to see if other teams try it out.

It's a trick straight out of the overmatched college team playbook. Except the college team doesn't have an NBA vet to do the job.

Brewer took Green (he's done jobs on bigger guys before) and Flynn too Casspi (who's 6'9"). It works because Evans is the guy who gets in the lane; Casspi is a shooter. If Evans can't get in motion you have a team of jump shooters.

At the other end Westphal tried Nocioni on Love. Love instantly becomes a threat at the post and does what he likes on the boards. Not necessary if Spencer Hawes was any good, of course.

 

[scooterselwood]

I've just had a lightblub moment. I remember watching a story on ESPN maybe a year or so ago about a kid that was managed/coached by his 3 brothers through high school and he was just about to go into college. I meant to follow his progress, but forgot his name. I'm pretty sure now that it was indeed Tyreke. There was also something about him being at the scene of a gang shooting, but that he was not involved. Does this sound right Stiffy?

Yep thats Tyreke!

He had his 3 brothers coach him (known as Team Tyreke) and protect him from the gangs in the area. They started coaching him from a very young age. They would even gaffer tape one arm to his body so he would learn how to dribble with both hands. It was a calculated effort to develop his talents and get him to the NBA.

He even had one of his brothers attend his workouts with him!

Of course! Not sure how I managed to forget that one.

What's he like on defense (clutch steals aside)? I've really only see him play once, and it's not easy to judge.

i assume this is what your talkin about

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=3643490

 

[Damon_3388]

I just noticed that Evans wears the much-maligned Power Balance wrist bands

THAT play!

[youtube]N29fcM4qdiM[/youtube]

Strangely, after all the talk about his clutch strip of Gilbert Arenas, Evans was credited with zero steals in the box score for that game against Washington. Or maybe a '0' in the box score is how you get credited for a steal on Agent Zero Or (more seriously) do long-ish deflections and loose-ball pick-ups like that not actually get credited as steals? EDIT: Just realised there was a whistle before Evans picked the ball up.

I also just remembered that Evans was the SLAM Magazine HS Diary Keeper in his Senior Year ('07-'08). I might go back through the old issues I have and re-read those columns again.

I'm not a tattoo hater at all, but does anyone else find it unusual/refreshing that he doesn't appear to have any tats?

 

[Vegas.]

i assume this is what your talkin about

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=3643490

Legen.......dary!

Thanks man, that is indeed the one.

Do they still manage him?

 

[scooterselwood]

Legen.......dary!

Thanks man, that is indeed the one.

Do they still manage him?

Maybe they say they do, but you would doubt it officially.

 

[Stiffy_18]

After one of his worst perfomances of the season against Minny, Reke bounced back strong against Jennings and the Bucks.

He has hit a few buzzer beaters so far this year but this is probably his second or 3rd game winner this year. Not only is this kid playing well in his rookie year, he is also proving to be clutch!

He is starting to gain more exposure and is being discussed as a top 10 candidate for the MVP (highly, highly unlikely but for him to be even considered in his rookie year about a quarter of a way through the season is a sign how good this kid is)

http://www.nba.com/2009/news/features/12/18/racetomvp.week7/index.html

Evansmay not yet be front of mind when it comes to the MVP discussion, but he certainly should garner a mention. And if his incredible growth curve continues, Evans could be a mainstay in The Race in the future.

"Tyreke is one of the best young players to come in this league in a long time," Kings coach Paul Westphal said. "He is extremely versatile, cares about playing the whole game and about getting better. He is very, very special.

"He can be somebody who can be talked about with the great ones. He is no fluke."

Here is what impresses The Race most about Evans: He is dominating games at a position that is ostensibly the most difficult to learn. He seems to sense when to drive -- which is often because he has only a middling jump shot right now -- or when to find his teammates.

 

[Dez!]

Someone like Tyreke Evans couldn't have come along at a more perfect time for the Kings, he will put asses in seats in Sacremento no matter what.

Amazing to watch.

 

[Vegas.]

The week that Jennings was put into the top 10 for the MVP race was the same week his season started to die in the arse. There were a number of factors to explain this, but let's see how Reke handles the extra attention.

 

[Messenger]

The week that Jennings was put into the top 10 for the MVP race was the same week his season started to die in the arse. There were a number of factors to explain this, but let's see how Reke handles the extra attention.

The Evans hype is based on something more substantial than the crazy stuff being talked about with Jennings.

 

[mdc]

I'm really looking forward to watching Evans when Martin comes back.

Right now he's really playing more of the Dwayne Wade "pseudo-point", pairing with Udrih. It will be interesting to see if he can keep his aggression up once KMart is back.