Article on Evans by Slam...

[bajaden]

http://www.slamonline.com/online/nba/2009/10/reke-havoc/

 

[apollo916]

I think Evans could have gone as high as 1st but more likely 2nd. Griffin was just too hyped up

 

[AussieKing]

Nice article, but maybe a little misinformed... "under defense-minded head coach Paul Wesphal". That's news to me. I know he's trying to implement a stronger defensive culture, but i still think his strengths are on the offensive end.

 

[rhythmless]

I think Evans could have gone as high as 1st but more likely 2nd. Griffin was just too hyped up

I will dispute that. Griffin is fully NBA ready, with a polished offensive game, a beast on the boards, great athleticism for a big man, big body, and a drive to win. Factor that in with his size, and you have a prototypical power forward that EVERY team wants on their roster.

After that, you can make the case for Reke. However, the Grizz went for potential + size, which is always a tantalizing factor. A gamechanging defensive big w/Mutombo size is something teams gamble on all the time. Thunder went safe (imo) and went for need, as Harden slots up PERFECTLY (PERFECTLY) in between uber athletic Westbrook and offensive guru Durant. He shoots the 3, plays with poise, has good athleticism, and gives a nice contrast to the frenetic play of Westbrook. Check his combine, he gave almost identical numbers to Tyreke "the freak." Yet Harden has a slow label. Go figure. Regardless, Thunder got a great player that FITS. Reke would not have fit whatsoever.

Now If we went second, or third, we may as well have picked Evans, but based on the teams, I would say Evans is where he should be. If you want to talk about star quality, Evans possesses the body, athleticism to ge there, but without a jumpshot to be a true sg, and without the passing to be a true pg, he is on the wrong side of the Dwayne Wade tweener. Before you all tell me to wait and see, I understand his age and his development, but he better develop one, or both (hopefully) of these abilities, or risk being stuck as first man off the bench sparkplug/driver.

 

[Sac.1989]

good read, thanks bajadan

 

[Kingsguy881]

I will dispute that. Griffin is fully NBA ready, with a polished offensive game, a beast on the boards, great athleticism for a big man, big body, and a drive to win. Factor that in with his size, and you have a prototypical power forward that EVERY team wants on their roster.

After that, you can make the case for Reke. However, the Grizz went for potential + size, which is always a tantalizing factor. A gamechanging defensive big w/Mutombo size is something teams gamble on all the time. Thunder went safe (imo) and went for need, as Harden slots up PERFECTLY (PERFECTLY) in between uber athletic Westbrook and offensive guru Durant. He shoots the 3, plays with poise, has good athleticism, and gives a nice contrast to the frenetic play of Westbrook. Check his combine, he gave almost identical numbers to Tyreke "the freak." Yet Harden has a slow label. Go figure. Regardless, Thunder got a great player that FITS. Reke would not have fit whatsoever.

Now If we went second, or third, we may as well have picked Evans, but based on the teams, I would say Evans is where he should be. If you want to talk about star quality, Evans possesses the body, athleticism to ge there, but without a jumpshot to be a true sg, and without the passing to be a true pg, he is on the wrong side of the Dwayne Wade tweener. Before you all tell me to wait and see, I understand his age and his development, but he better develop one, or both (hopefully) of these abilities, or risk being stuck as first man off the bench sparkplug/driver.

How do you figure? DWade came out after 2 seasons in Marquette (his first of which eerily similar, numbers wise, to Tyreke's 1 and only season) and the knock on him was that he was a tweener and couldn't shoot. And Wade didn't really develop his jumper until this past season (again, check the numbers), his 4th in the league which measures up to be Reke's 5th.

 

[Merdiesel]

I think Evans could have gone as high as 1st but more likely 2nd. Griffin was just too hyped up

I would have taken Griffin over Reke.

 

[bajaden]

Before you all tell me to wait and see, I understand his age and his development, but he better develop one, or both (hopefully) of these abilities, or risk being stuck as first man off the bench sparkplug/driver.

Well, I think we need to wait and see! Just kidding! Since you referred to Wade, I'm sure you know that he is not now, nor was he ever a good outside shooter. As a matter of fact, the only time he'll take a three is if he gets the ball with one tick left on the clock. Somehow, he still manages to score fairly well. Magic was a terrible shooter when he came into the league. Of course there's no guarantee Evans will become a good shooter, but in truth, he doesn't need to become a great shooter. He just needs to shoot good enough to keep people honest. Thats all Kidd has done. No one would ever accuse Kidd of being a great shooter, but if you leave him open, he'll usually hit his shot.

I do agree with your analysis of the draft though. There's no way Griffin didn't deserve to be the first player taken. He has star written all over him. I do think Evans may turn out to be the next best player, but being taken number four is no surprise when you look at the needs of the team drafting at 2 and 3.

 

[rhythmless]

Well, I think we need to wait and see! Just kidding! Since you referred to Wade, I'm sure you know that he is not now, nor was he ever a good outside shooter. As a matter of fact, the only time he'll take a three is if he gets the ball with one tick left on the clock. Somehow, he still manages to score fairly well. Magic was a terrible shooter when he came into the league. Of course there's no guarantee Evans will become a good shooter, but in truth, he doesn't need to become a great shooter. He just needs to shoot good enough to keep people honest. Thats all Kidd has done. No one would ever accuse Kidd of being a great shooter, but if you leave him open, he'll usually hit his shot.

seems as if my sentence was a bit off. I meant to say that Wade has the playmaking and ball handling abilities to make him a point guard. I mention Wade because while not as explosive, Reke looks to have the same get to the cup mindset. I meant to say that Evans needs to develop either passing/vision skills, OR shooting skills. Pick one. I'd prefer vision, but a good midrange jumper would be very nice. Without those, you fall into the Corey Maggettes of the league. He can get to the cup at will, can always drop 20 if you give him the minutes, gets his free throws, and... not much else.

As for Kidd, I haven't checked the numbers, but from the games I watch (and I am a big Kidd fan) he has a very accurate spot up 3 shot late into his career.

And I would agree that Evans has a higher ceiling than both 2/3 picks, but I really do like Harden's game, and I like him even more on Thunder.

 

[fnordius]

Besides Wade, you know who else had great college stats like that? Kevin Edwards. He had stats just like Tyreke, except that he shot better, and turned the ball over less often. Maybe if Tyreke works hard on those areas, he will be the next Kevin Edwards.

Lots of people have had similar college stats. It's not a reliable indicator of very much.

 

[Bricklayer]

Besides Wade, you know who else had great college stats like that? Kevin Edwards. He had stats just like Tyreke, except that he shot better, and turned the ball over less often. Maybe if Tyreke works hard on those areas, he will be the next Kevin Edwards.

Lots of people have had similar college stats. It's not a reliable indicator of very much.

At Reke's age Kevin Edwards was in community college. When a frosh puts up those numbers at a major school winning lots of games, its much more interesting than when a senior does. Especially when he's got a big ole NBA ready body, something a scrawny guy like Edwards never did. Not mind you that Edwards had a horrible career. Was a starter for much of it, although obviously a lower level starter.

 

[fnordius]

When a frosh puts up those numbers at a major school winning lots of games, its much more interesting than when a senior does.

Well, sure. But nobody used to get serious minutes at big schools as a frosh, because there were almost always better candidates who were juniors or seniors. That only changed in the last few years. Players from earlier periods, like Kevin Edwards and Willie Anderson, put up Wade-like college stats in their junior and senior years, because they hardly got to play at a serious level before that.

But it doesn't always translate, does it? Sometimes your 20p/10r/3b junior is Marcus Camby, other times he's just Olowokandi.

 

[dbfish]

As usuall.....

Well, I think we need to wait and see! Just kidding! Since you referred to Wade, I'm sure you know that he is not now, nor was he ever a good outside shooter. As a matter of fact, the only time he'll take a three is if he gets the ball with one tick left on the clock. Somehow, he still manages to score fairly well. Magic was a terrible shooter when he came into the league. Of course there's no guarantee Evans will become a good shooter, but in truth, he doesn't need to become a great shooter. He just needs to shoot good enough to keep people honest. Thats all Kidd has done. No one would ever accuse Kidd of being a great shooter, but if you leave him open, he'll usually hit his shot.

I do agree with your analysis of the draft though. There's no way Griffin didn't deserve to be the first player taken. He has star written all over him. I do think Evans may turn out to be the next best player, but being taken number four is no surprise when you look at the needs of the team drafting at 2 and 3.

......Baj comes through again. Thanks for all of your posts. I don't know if it's good or bad but I have trouble disagreeing with hardly any of your posts.

 

[dbfish]

Baj shoots.....

Well, I think we need to wait and see! Just kidding! Since you referred to Wade, I'm sure you know that he is not now, nor was he ever a good outside shooter. As a matter of fact, the only time he'll take a three is if he gets the ball with one tick left on the clock. Somehow, he still manages to score fairly well. Magic was a terrible shooter when he came into the league. Of course there's no guarantee Evans will become a good shooter, but in truth, he doesn't need to become a great shooter. He just needs to shoot good enough to keep people honest. Thats all Kidd has done. No one would ever accuse Kidd of being a great shooter, but if you leave him open, he'll usually hit his shot.

I do agree with your analysis of the draft though. There's no way Griffin didn't deserve to be the first player taken. He has star written all over him. I do think Evans may turn out to be the next best player, but being taken number four is no surprise when you look at the needs of the team drafting at 2 and 3.

....and he scores again. It is hard to find fault with the great majority of your input. It is truly a pleasure reading your posts and insight on the plight of our Kings. More people need to step back and reply with their minds and not bjust with their purple and black hearts. Keep up the good work.

 

[AriesMar27]

i dont think it was worth quoting twice though....

 

[Chupacabra]

seems as if my sentence was a bit off. I meant to say that Wade has the playmaking and ball handling abilities to make him a point guard. I mention Wade because while not as explosive, Reke looks to have the same get to the cup mindset. I meant to say that Evans needs to develop either passing/vision skills, OR shooting skills. Pick one. I'd prefer vision, but a good midrange jumper would be very nice. Without those, you fall into the Corey Maggettes of the league. He can get to the cup at will, can always drop 20 if you give him the minutes, gets his free throws, and... not much else.

As for Kidd, I haven't checked the numbers, but from the games I watch (and I am a big Kidd fan) he has a very accurate spot up 3 shot late into his career.

And I would agree that Evans has a higher ceiling than both 2/3 picks, but I really do like Harden's game, and I like him even more on Thunder.

Im only hearing you talk about the offensive side of the ball. Evans looks like he can be a defensive stopper, along with his offensive talents. Thats very valuable.

 

[bajaden]

I won't be posting for a while. I'm busy building a shrine to myself..

 

[Kingsguy881]

Im only hearing you talk about the offensive side of the ball. Evans looks like he can be a defensive stopper, along with his offensive talents. Thats very valuable.

Evans hasn't hardly shown us what he can do on the offensive side. He is obviously deferring to his teammates because the knock on him was that he tried to take over. Once we actually see him try to take over a game we won't really have an idea of how vast his offensive repertoire is, and with it his passing should improve too because he is looking to attack which will cause the defense to collapse and open up passing lanes.

But I agree with you about him defensively, I think his length is going to cause a ****load of problems for opposing point guards.

 

[bajaden]

Evans hasn't hardly shown us what he can do on the offensive side. He is obviously deferring to his teammates because the knock on him was that he tried to take over. Once we actually see him try to take over a game we won't really have an idea of how vast his offensive repertoire is, and with it his passing should improve too because he is looking to attack which will cause the defense to collapse and open up passing lanes.

But I agree with you about him defensively, I think his length is going to cause a ****load of problems for opposing point guards.

While I agree with all the optimism about Evans, I think its important to keep perspective. He's going to have some ups and downs. Lets not forget that he's only 19 years old. I don't know about any of you, but I was a pretty insecure guy at 19. I can't imagine myself walking out onto a court surrounded by 17 thousand fans and staying composed. But thats what we expect of him.

I'm not just talking about the playing of the game, but the responsibility of having to play the game up to the expectations of everyone from the fans to the front office. Thats a lot of weight for a 19 year old, and its that weight that seperates the average from the special. So lets not get too excited when he trips once in a while. Because I do think he's special.