Jennings or Evans: Who has the higher upside? and why?
- Thread starter Vlade4GM
- Start date
A
AriesMar27
Guest
it depends on what you mean by higher upside.
I'm more of a lurker here than anything else, but since I have these two on my fantasy team and I follow them closely, I'll put in my .02
I think Evans definitely has the bigger upside here. If you think about it, Evans gets to the hoop at will and unless the defense is setup to specifically stop his penetration game, then he'll have his 20/5/5 night. Once Evans develops his midrange and outside jump shot, he'll become an unstoppable force. On top of that, he's already a top notch defender and he'll only get better as he gets older. Remember, he's only 20 years old. Kobe or LeBron didn't have a jumpshot when they entered the league and look at how near automatic their shots are now.....scary...
Jennings on the other hand will still be a very good player in the league, but I foresee his success amounting to that of Mike Bibby. He'll be a legitimate scorer and play maker, but not a great scorer and play maker. He's already spent a few pro seasons in Europe so he's had plenty of time to grow while playing above the college level. He's fast and somewhat flashy, but if you put a good sized point guard on him that can defend well, he's pretty much canned for the night. He's a smaller PG so bigger guards get around him a lot easier than say a Tyreke Evans. One other thing is that he shoots A LOT and thus far has brought my overall shooting % down for my fantasy team, I've been wanting to trade him for someone a little more consistent for a few weeks now.
One last thing...(which may or may not be worth mentioning)
Jennings seems to lack the professionalism and dedication that Tyreke has. Remember the video conversation that was uploaded where Jennings was saying this and that about the Knicks and Duhon and blah blah blah? Now I'm not saying that other players, including Reke, don't talk like that, but just that in itself shows a lack of respect for the game.
Tyreke on the other hand seems way more dedicated. He's basically a basketball drone forged into the life of basketball by his older brothers, and focuses on nothing but getting better and better. To be that young and show that type of poise, professionalism, and mentality to keep on getting better is already enough for me to believe he'll be better than Jennings. Hell, if Donte Greene had half the maturity and dedication to the game that Evans has he could very well have a starting position on lockdown.
Given their comparative ages, what they've been able to do in the league, their overall experience thus far, and their command/respect for the game I think Tyreke wins in the "higher ceiling" challenge.
I think Evans definitely has the bigger upside here. If you think about it, Evans gets to the hoop at will and unless the defense is setup to specifically stop his penetration game, then he'll have his 20/5/5 night. Once Evans develops his midrange and outside jump shot, he'll become an unstoppable force. On top of that, he's already a top notch defender and he'll only get better as he gets older. Remember, he's only 20 years old. Kobe or LeBron didn't have a jumpshot when they entered the league and look at how near automatic their shots are now.....scary...
Jennings on the other hand will still be a very good player in the league, but I foresee his success amounting to that of Mike Bibby. He'll be a legitimate scorer and play maker, but not a great scorer and play maker. He's already spent a few pro seasons in Europe so he's had plenty of time to grow while playing above the college level. He's fast and somewhat flashy, but if you put a good sized point guard on him that can defend well, he's pretty much canned for the night. He's a smaller PG so bigger guards get around him a lot easier than say a Tyreke Evans. One other thing is that he shoots A LOT and thus far has brought my overall shooting % down for my fantasy team, I've been wanting to trade him for someone a little more consistent for a few weeks now.
One last thing...(which may or may not be worth mentioning)
Jennings seems to lack the professionalism and dedication that Tyreke has. Remember the video conversation that was uploaded where Jennings was saying this and that about the Knicks and Duhon and blah blah blah? Now I'm not saying that other players, including Reke, don't talk like that, but just that in itself shows a lack of respect for the game.
Tyreke on the other hand seems way more dedicated. He's basically a basketball drone forged into the life of basketball by his older brothers, and focuses on nothing but getting better and better. To be that young and show that type of poise, professionalism, and mentality to keep on getting better is already enough for me to believe he'll be better than Jennings. Hell, if Donte Greene had half the maturity and dedication to the game that Evans has he could very well have a starting position on lockdown.
Given their comparative ages, what they've been able to do in the league, their overall experience thus far, and their command/respect for the game I think Tyreke wins in the "higher ceiling" challenge.
drboiffard
Bench
Tyreke is a best player right now and has a higher ceiling. Jennings is a high-level PG, but Tyreke seems to be a perennial all-star if he continues like this, because the kid is very hard worker and relative mature for his age. Geting a decent jumpshot is the only think he lacks for being a league top-5. He's already in the top 10 in the MVP race.
Bricklayer
Don't Make Me Use The Bat
Evans -- you always take the big guy with the unstoppable game to the hoop over the little jumpshooter. Throw in defensive potential and its not even really that close. Jennings has to turn out to be one of the Top 10 little guys of all time -- Isiah Thomas, Allen Iverson etc. -- to even make a run at it.* Tyreke on the other hand has the absolute classic structure of a major superstar coming into the league -- the physical superiority, the to the basket game. Complete game on both ends. And the classic weakness that can be worked on -- the jumper. Everything I said about him could have described Magic and MJ and Bron and Wade and Payton and Kidd and CP3 and KJ and etc. and etc. Same way you build a team inside to out you build a great player inside to out. And he's already got the inside.
* I should note that that's to make a run at it as a star, a scorer, a carry your team guy. Jennings does have potential on another front brushed over in the rush to overrate his offense -- he might be able to become a treu floor general. Has always had the vision and passing. If he can avoid being selish he can be The Man in Milwaulkee that way.
* I should note that that's to make a run at it as a star, a scorer, a carry your team guy. Jennings does have potential on another front brushed over in the rush to overrate his offense -- he might be able to become a treu floor general. Has always had the vision and passing. If he can avoid being selish he can be The Man in Milwaulkee that way.
Aenadin
Starter
Evans....
no matter how jennings tries he wont learn to be a 6foot6 7foot wingspan stud.
the game is a 5 man game and who's to say you will be guarding the guards only...
switch evans with the 1,2, or even 3 spot and he is still a mismatch. he can blow by slower SFs, post up the smaller 1s and use his length against the 2s... jennings on the other hand can beat those guys off the dribble but what can he do on the defensive end against those kinds of guys.. there are plays that would cause mismatches and if jennings will be mismatched against the 2, 3 or the average 6ft3 point. he's going to have problems.
and oh yes. evans is getting his 20ppg on slashing and drawing fouls... he has yet to be consistent on his jumper. wait till he gets it.
no matter how jennings tries he wont learn to be a 6foot6 7foot wingspan stud.
the game is a 5 man game and who's to say you will be guarding the guards only...
switch evans with the 1,2, or even 3 spot and he is still a mismatch. he can blow by slower SFs, post up the smaller 1s and use his length against the 2s... jennings on the other hand can beat those guys off the dribble but what can he do on the defensive end against those kinds of guys.. there are plays that would cause mismatches and if jennings will be mismatched against the 2, 3 or the average 6ft3 point. he's going to have problems.
and oh yes. evans is getting his 20ppg on slashing and drawing fouls... he has yet to be consistent on his jumper. wait till he gets it.
mr. moustache
Bench
Evans by a longshot. His weakness(shooting) is fixable and his defensive ceiling is sky high.
I'm curious to see where his court vision ceiling maxes out. I think it looks good for a rookie, but I have no clue how much he can elevate it.
Totally agreed that Evans work ethic would turn Dante into a star
I'm curious to see where his court vision ceiling maxes out. I think it looks good for a rookie, but I have no clue how much he can elevate it.
Totally agreed that Evans work ethic would turn Dante into a star
Dunkster
G-League
I agree with this a lot. Jennings put up 50 couple months ago or so, but Tyreke is averaging 20 points a game. Jennings is pure point guard. Jennyings has more highlights. Tyreke looks like an aveage player, but then you look at his stats and he has 30 points 2 steals, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks! Tyreke and jennings will be compared through out there careers.
Dunkster
G-League
Bricklayer
Don't Make Me Use The Bat
If Jennings keeps up this pace he's not even going to be starting by the All Star break. I thought he'd fall off, but I didn't mean a cliff. The last 10 games Jennings is averaging 13.7pts on 33.6% shooting. And I think that was before tonight's 4-17.
For anybody paying attention to the league there just is no question at this point. And with Jennings in free fall, barring injury, its hard to see how there will be any question going forward either. Blake Griffin would have to come in averaging 20-10 from Day 1 to even make it interesting. Its not just that Reke is this year's ROY, its that he would have been the ROY any year in the last 6, and would have given Lebron a heck of a run for his money in '03.
Larry89
Disgruntled Kings Fan
Jennings definitely has the higher upside..
..of hair.
worst haircut ever, looks like someones chunk of their lawn on his head
Aenadin
Starter
i forgot how to put youtube boxed links here (any body care to teach me
) but heres a link about tyreke and team tyrekehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6x2qQH5w60
i love how the commentators said at age 16 lebron dominated.. at age 16 tyreke was better. anybody gut stats to prove it is true?
Vlade4GM
All-Star
i forgot how to put youtube boxed links here (any body care to teach me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6x2qQH5w60
i love how the commentators said at age 16 lebron dominated.. at age 16 tyreke was better. anybody gut stats to prove it is true?
Are you referring to high school stats?
Chupacabra
Starter
No way is Jennings a "pure point guard". He looks to score far too much to be considered "pure". That is why the whole "pure point guard" arguement is nonsense. How many point guards out there are actually "pure point guards"? Not many. None of the best point guards are pure point guards with the exception of Jason Kidd. Pass first point guards are no longer practical because of how many talented scorers there are in the world that are 6'3 and under.
i forgot how to put youtube boxed links here (any body care to teach me
Here you go:
How to Embed a YouTube Video
Aenadin
Starter
thank you very much
Aenadin
Starter
yes
kennadog
Dog On It!
Off the top of my head, I would say Nash also qualifies as a "pure" PG.
Rookie
Starter
Bricklayer
Don't Make Me Use The Bat
Andre Miller
But really the bigger issue is this is once again a case of people with fuzzy memories making up a mythological past that did not really exist. I won't speak to the 50s + 60s, but when exactly was this pure PG era in the last 30 years?
Was it supposed to be the 80s, when Magic (a 20-10) guy was runnign around with Zeke (a 25ppg scorer at his peak) and fighting for titles with Dennis Johnson (a combo guard) and Terry Porter (a comboish guard) and Alvin Robertson (not a pure point) and Fat lever (a combo guard) and Reggie Theus (a combo guard) and whoever Houston's combo guard of the moment was and...
Maybe it was the 90s, with Tim Hardaway (20-10 man) and Kevin Johnson (20-10 man) and Gary Payton (a 20-8 man) and Rod Strickland (a scoring PG) and all the titles being sucked down by uncreative roelplayers like BJ Armstrong and Ron Harper and Kenny Smith (by that time just a 3pt chucker)?
There have ALWAYS been a handful of "pure PGs" in the league. And there always will be. There have also always been a lot more scoring points, and combo points and roleplaying points that filled out the league, and who quite often have gotten the better of the purer guys.
But really the bigger issue is this is once again a case of people with fuzzy memories making up a mythological past that did not really exist. I won't speak to the 50s + 60s, but when exactly was this pure PG era in the last 30 years?
Was it supposed to be the 80s, when Magic (a 20-10) guy was runnign around with Zeke (a 25ppg scorer at his peak) and fighting for titles with Dennis Johnson (a combo guard) and Terry Porter (a comboish guard) and Alvin Robertson (not a pure point) and Fat lever (a combo guard) and Reggie Theus (a combo guard) and whoever Houston's combo guard of the moment was and...
Maybe it was the 90s, with Tim Hardaway (20-10 man) and Kevin Johnson (20-10 man) and Gary Payton (a 20-8 man) and Rod Strickland (a scoring PG) and all the titles being sucked down by uncreative roelplayers like BJ Armstrong and Ron Harper and Kenny Smith (by that time just a 3pt chucker)?
There have ALWAYS been a handful of "pure PGs" in the league. And there always will be. There have also always been a lot more scoring points, and combo points and roleplaying points that filled out the league, and who quite often have gotten the better of the purer guys.
Where does this term "pure point guard" come from anyway? It's like "pure scorer" -- it's left purposely undefined so you can apply it whenever it feels appropriate. It's just subjective nonsense. The role of the point guard isn't just to bring the ball up the court and pass to the other four players. The role of the point guard is to initiate the offense and make sure everyone is on the same page and involved in the offense. Sometimes that means giving the ball to your other guard and letting him isolate. Sometimes it means penetrating in the lane to open up space for your shooters. Sometimes it means running a pick and role with one of your big guys and getting them the ball in the right spot. And sometimes it means taking the open jumper when your defender sags off of you. Jennings does all of those things so that makes him a PG. So does Evans for that matter (well excerpt for that giving the ball to the SG thing). Whether they're "pure" or not doesn't really matter to me. What matters is how well they play their position.
Well I think it's a mistake to assign stat values when you think about something like that. It depends on the team context. I think the situation Brandon Jennings is in right now, he's probably the best scorer on that team just in terms of overall talent and basketball skill level. Especially with Michael Redd injured. So even if he goes into that situation wanting to rack up the assists, his team needs him to score. In the games where he doesn't help shoulder the scoring load they have a hard time winning. Does that make him less of a point guard? I think you have to watch the games to judge that. The assist and scoring totals don't help you. Maybe you'd want to say a guy that averages more assists than points per game is a pure point guard, but maybe they're just an incomplete basketball player with one elite skill. Steve Nash wasn't all that in the NBA until he refined his jumper. Being a threat to pass or score at any time is what makes you really dangerous.
I've been avoiding this thread because it seems like such a pointless argument. We all know which player has performed better so far. Plus Jennings has been in a bit of a down spell and at his best he's no where near the physical threat that Evans is. But I think it's easy to forget that what Tyreke Evans is doing right now is not normal. Even the best rookies don't usually come in and tear up the league in year one. We're not even at the All-Star break yet which is usually when guys start to get consistent. Derrick Rose had an inconsistent year last year. Kevin Durant was an average player his first year. And it goes on from there. If we judge everyone by Reke's standards than most rookies have lagged behind. If we had Jennings on our team and they had Evans, I think we'd be jealous but we'd still be pretty excited about what we did have.
I've been avoiding this thread because it seems like such a pointless argument. We all know which player has performed better so far. Plus Jennings has been in a bit of a down spell and at his best he's no where near the physical threat that Evans is. But I think it's easy to forget that what Tyreke Evans is doing right now is not normal. Even the best rookies don't usually come in and tear up the league in year one. We're not even at the All-Star break yet which is usually when guys start to get consistent. Derrick Rose had an inconsistent year last year. Kevin Durant was an average player his first year. And it goes on from there. If we judge everyone by Reke's standards than most rookies have lagged behind. If we had Jennings on our team and they had Evans, I think we'd be jealous but we'd still be pretty excited about what we did have.
