PG for our team...

[Dr. Spaceman]

I dont think youre comprehending what im saying correctly.

On offense, Tyreke will have the mismatch yes, but what are his options? Ill let you tell me that.
On defense, its not about fundamentals, it is simple SIZE. Smaller pgs will ABUSE the pick, Tyreke will either get flattened, or have to switch off onto a larger player, or our larger would switch off on the smaller pg, or Tyreke will simply try to catch up with the smaller PG but that is practically impossible. There you have 2 situations where you are practically giving them the FREE basket: Tyreke switches off onto larger Player which becomes a mismatch, or our larger player switches off onto the PG which is another mismatch. They have so many options. They can run circles around our defense simply because they have a smaller PG who nobody can run with.

I may have wrongly assumed on the rookie year, but he definiteily had a decent post up game in his matchups against jordan in 97 98.

This theoretical Tyreke that you're describing to me -- the one who's not quick and always gets switched out on pick & rolls -- sounds like a terrible defender. And it sounds like he's got some pretty bad fundamentals. Who the hell voted that guy for ROY?

Reality is that Tyreke isn't as slow on defense as you seem to want to think he is. Between his own quickness (when not plagued by plantar fasciitis), SIZE and his WINGSPAN, he can keep up with most PGs when he's paying attention. He's a flawed defender still, like I agreed earlier, but he can be a pretty good one. And again, whatever he gives up on that end, he'll usually take back even more when he gets the ball. Of course, he's been playing like crap the past couple of weeks, but give the gimp some slack.

 

[Lockehead]

He is quick compared to players his size, but cant keep up with small pgs, its got nothing to do with fundamentals.

 

[Capt. Factorial]

Nobody wants to see him for what he really is: a SG with a tenacious driving ability and ability to finish but with a weak jumpshot.

Well, if he's a SG, he's a SG who is leading the team in assists, leading the team in assists/game, and second in assists/36 to Pooh Jeter's 27 minute sample size. He's also a SG who is most effective with the ball in his hands and doesn't bring quite so much to the table (for instance, solid three-point shooting) when playing off the ball.

I don't care if you insist on calling him the SG, he's the guy that should have the ball in his hands. And if anybody insists that we need to go out and get a Steve-Nash-type ball-dominant PG, then we may as well trade Tyreke for something useful, because he's not going to do us a whole lot of good standing over in the corner while somebody else threads nifty passes to our big men.

 

[Asaf]

Well, if he's a SG, he's a SG who is leading the team in assists, leading the team in assists/game, and second in assists/36 to Pooh Jeter's 27 minute sample size. He's also a SG who is most effective with the ball in his hands and doesn't bring quite so much to the table (for instance, solid three-point shooting) when playing off the ball.

I don't care if you insist on calling him the SG, he's the guy that should have the ball in his hands. And if anybody insists that we need to go out and get a Steve-Nash-type ball-dominant PG, then we may as well trade Tyreke for something useful, because he's not going to do us a whole lot of good standing over in the corner while somebody else threads nifty passes to our big men.

Allen Iverson was Detroit's leader in assists before they kicked him out. Assist numbers only say that the guy dominates the ball and is in a position to dish out assists. I doubt that there's any team in the league whos most dominant player doesn't average at least 5-6 assists per game.

The other thing is that Tyreke needs to learn how to play off the ball. And no, that doesn't mean standing in the corner. It means being able to do what Jordan and Kobe do when they don't have the ball in their hands. You can take a look at Miami and see what happens when you have superstars that turn into scrubs the minute you take the ball out of their hands. If the team doesn't demand that Tyreke develop off-the-ball skills, all those dreams of future championship contention will remain just that, dreams.

 

[Lockehead]

Well, if he's a SG, he's a SG who is leading the team in assists, leading the team in assists/game, and second in assists/36 to Pooh Jeter's 27 minute sample size. He's also a SG who is most effective with the ball in his hands and doesn't bring quite so much to the table (for instance, solid three-point shooting) when playing off the ball.

I don't care if you insist on calling him the SG, he's the guy that should have the ball in his hands. And if anybody insists that we need to go out and get a Steve-Nash-type ball-dominant PG, then we may as well trade Tyreke for something useful, because he's not going to do us a whole lot of good standing over in the corner while somebody else threads nifty passes to our big men.

Youre bound to get several assists if youre the most ball dominant guy on the team. I think Reke can be a very good passing SG, but if you put him in PG territory he is sorely limited.
He is most effective with the ball so we should just give him the ball? How about some discipline? How about we humble Reke a bit and not give him the ball because he needs it. How about we let him develop playing alongside the team, allowing other players to become scoring options rather than role players? The thing is Tyreke is very talented at his drive and finish ability. That does NOT mean that he should have the ball to be effective, that just means that that one specific area of his offensive arsenal is well developed. Now he needs to develop in other areas. IMO it would start with him adopting the SG position. Allowing him to be a PG is catering to his current one-dimensional offense at the expense of his and his teams development.

 

[KingsInBrazil]

Well you have to take into account Millers defense is alot better than Beno. The only reason i don't want Beno in right now is because we can't afford the points scored against him. That mix worked last year than what they had before.. so you can say it worked.. and if Roy gets better they will continue to progress

Sadly true... Beno is the Kings of And 1's against him... I think he gave up 3pt plays 3-4 times that game against Indy..

 

[rainmaker]

Apparently there's a rumor floating around that Houston wants Landry back. If it's true, why not use him to go after Lowry? I for one, want nothing to do with Brooks, eventhough apparently Petrie has always been high on him.

But Lowry has always been a solid pg, and is playing well as a starter now. Much more of a pass first pg than Brooks. Can hit the open jumper, but a terrible 3pt shooter. Better defender than Brooks, Head, or Beno. Quick and physical.

He's obviously not one of the better pg's in the league. But he looks to create, can create, and has a solid ast/TO ratio. Not a good shooter, but a good, physical defender, and above average rebounder for a pg. He would help the defense in our starting unit, and be much better at getting the team into the offense than Head. Doesn't require shots playing next a guy like Tyreke, inlike Beno and Head, but when he does shoot, it's more of the attacking the hoop variety, because he really is quick, and likes to attack the hoop.

Given he would go back to the bench when Brooks is healthy, I would think he might be expendable in a trade, especially if they want Landry back. Still, Landry for only Lowry wouldn't b enough for us. Maybe a package of Landry and Cisco/Omri for Lowry/Battier? Battier would help this team immensely for obvious reasons.

 

[Bricklayer]

Apparently there's a rumor floating around that Houston wants Landry back. If it's true, why not use him to go after Lowry? I for one, want nothing to do with Brooks, eventhough apparently Petrie has always been high on him.

But Lowry has always been a solid pg, and is playing well as a starter now. Much more of a pass first pg than Brooks. Can hit the open jumper, but a terrible 3pt shooter. Better defender than Brooks, Head, or Beno. Quick and physical.

He's obviously not one of the better pg's in the league. But he looks to create, can create, and has a solid ast/TO ratio. Not a good shooter, but a good, physical defender, and above average rebounder for a pg. He would help the defense in our starting unit, and be much better at getting the team into the offense than Head. Doesn't require shots playing next a guy like Tyreke, inlike Beno and Head, but when he does shoot, it's more of the attacking the hoop variety, because he really is quick, and likes to attack the hoop.

Given he would go back to the bench when Brooks is healthy, I would think he might be expendable in a trade, especially if they want Landry back. Still, Landry for only Lowry wouldn't b enough for us. Maybe a package of Landry and Cisco/Omri for Lowry/Battier? Battier would help this team immensely for obvious reasons.

Heh, I've always loved Lowry. We'd have the ultimte power/football backcourt, and our continued stripmining of every last ounce of toughness on the Rockets roster would continue. Not exactly the shooter we need though, and then you would have traded Kevin for Lowry, whihc might take a bit of explaining.

 

[kingsboi]

Kyle Lowry would be an awesome addition. They can have Carl Landry back for all I care, it's not like he's doing anything for Westphal. I guarantee you he will play like his old self under Rick, if he goes back.

 

[Section 101]

Well, if he's a SG, he's a SG who is leading the team in assists, leading the team in assists/game, and second in assists/36 to Pooh Jeter's 27 minute sample size. He's also a SG who is most effective with the ball in his hands and doesn't bring quite so much to the table (for instance, solid three-point shooting) when playing off the ball.

I don't care if you insist on calling him the SG, he's the guy that should have the ball in his hands. And if anybody insists that we need to go out and get a Steve-Nash-type ball-dominant PG, then we may as well trade Tyreke for something useful, because he's not going to do us a whole lot of good standing over in the corner while somebody else threads nifty passes to our big men.

Why does having a real pg mean less touches for Evans? In fact he would probably get more shots because there would be a flow and better shot selections. Richardson still gets 16+ shots a game for the suns. Ray Allen gets 12.7, Eric Gordon ges 17+, Manu gets 14+. The issue isnt so much Evans with the ball, its Evans bringing the ball up dribbling then driving. Defenders are waiting. He can get the same shots and the same amount in a real offense. Even better he should be getting the ball off screens or moving so defenders wont be able to clog the middle.

 

[LPKingsFan]

Why does having a real pg mean less touches for Evans? In fact he would probably get more shots because there would be a flow and better shot selections. Richardson still gets 16+ shots a game for the suns. Ray Allen gets 12.7, Eric Gordon ges 17+, Manu gets 14+. The issue isnt so much Evans with the ball, its Evans bringing the ball up dribbling then driving. Defenders are waiting. He can get the same shots and the same amount in a real offense. Even better he should be getting the ball off screens or moving so defenders wont be able to clog the middle.

It's not about the shots, but how they're set up. All those guys you mention are quite adept at catching and shooting, which is simply not Reke's game.

 

[ReinadelosReys]

This is going sour fast Might need to gag the entire team

From Marty Mcneals blog:

Moreover, judging Evans from his words, he’s feeling like some of his teammates think he’s at times playing selfishly.

“I’m thinking team-first,” Evans said. “If I score and guys (aren’t) getting touches then that’s when they just stop playing and think I’m selfish. So I try to go out there and get my teammates involved and to play hard.

“I’m just trying to figure out, whether it’s score or get assists, how to get us going.”

http://mpmcneal.blogspot.com/

 

[M_Barragan]

It's everyone's fault... it's the coach for developing Tyreke the way they have so far, It's Tyreke's fault for not passing when he should. and if you watch the games it's the team's fault for now assuming he wont pass the ball and just stand there. Which essentially leaves tyreke playing one on 3 for the shot clock.

To fix this the coach will have to call out Evans, Evans will have to PROVE to his team he is a willing passer and not one who does it after HIS scoring option is closed down, and finally the team as a whole has to do a better job of cutting to the basket, moving and setting up plays in the periphery.

Aint exactly just the Coach that has lost the team... Real issue is Tyreke has lost the team and the players re pissed at coach for not doing anything about it...
That's the truth.

 

[Bricklayer]

This is going sour fast Might need to gag the entire team

From Marty Mcneals blog:



http://mpmcneal.blogspot.com/

You know, Tyreke Evans is 16th in the NBA in FGA. He averages less than 1 FGA attempt a game more than Joe Johnson and Brandon Jennings. He averages nearly 5 FGA attempts less than Derrick Rose. If players on those other teams not sucking *** as bad as we are can go ahead and play hard with that many shots being put up, so can ours.

There is a pack of passive aggressive sorts on our team that I think may have to be purged before this is all over. When you get guys who actually are willing to not play hard because they have an agenda and are unhappy, that's not a player you are ever going to be able to trust or build around.

 

[pshn80]

I think I'd be POed if I was playing with Tyreke and he brought the ball upcourt and took a jumpshot and missed three times in a row and did not pass. Tyreke has done this too often to not gain the ill will of fellow players. It's not where stands in the league in FGAs, it's whether he is perceived as doing the team thing. Missing three shots in a row regularly without having equal occasions of hitting three in a row can be perceived as not in the best interest of the team let alone his mates. And the "pack" you cite will continue to fester until something better happens.

 

[Bricklayer]

I think I'd be POed if I was playing with Tyreke and he brought the ball upcourt and took a jumpshot and missed three times in a row and did not pass. Tyreke has done this too often to not gain the ill will of fellow players. It's not where stands in the league in FGAs, it's whether he is perceived as doing the team thing. Missing three shots in a row regularly without having equal occasions of hitting three in a row can be perceived as not in the best interest of the team let alone his mates. And the "pack" you cite will continue to fester until something better happens.

I chose those two players on purpose to short circuit this argument, if there is ever an argument for not playing hard because the poor little baby didn't get to touch his bally-poo this time down.

Reke
36.6min 16.5FGA .401 FG% 5.7ast

Johnson
35.5min 15.5FGA .409 FG% 5.2ast

Jennings
35.1min 15.8FGA .391 FG% 5.6ast

Which is in no way to say those are good numbers -- all those guys are off to poor starts. But it is to say, clearly and obviously, that it is hardly an extreme or unheard of situation, and if guys are actually stopping playing out there over it that is on THEM. You get paid millions of dolalrs to play a game, you bust your *** out there.

 

[pshn80]

I chose those two players on purpose to short circuit this argument, if there is ever an argument for not playing hard because the poor little baby didn't get to touch his bally-poo this time down.

Reke
36.6min 16.5FGA .401 FG% 5.7ast

Johnson
35.5min 15.5FGA .409 FG% 5.2ast

Jennings
35.1min 15.8FGA .391 FG% 5.6ast

Which is in no way to say those are good numbers -- all those guys are off to poor starts. But it is to say, clearly and obviously, that it is hardly an extreme or unheard of situation, and if guys are actually stopping playing out there over it that is on THEM. You get paid millions of dolalrs to play a game, you bust your *** out there.

If Reke was in a slump with his jumper I would agree with you but he is not. So far in his short career he has not had success as a jump shooter. So his taking any more than he has to is uncalled for. When he makes one out of two then take two more if they come you way. That is not what is happening. I don't approve of any malignering on anyone's part but I do understand because, in my mind, there is a problem with Tyreke's jump shooting behavior.

 

[Bricklayer]

If Reke was in a slump with his jumper I would agree with you but he is not. So far in his short career he has not had success as a jump shooter. So his taking any more than he has to is uncalled for. When he makes one out of two then take two more if they come you way. That is not what is happening. I don't approve of any malignering on anyone's part but I do understand because, in my mind, there is a problem with Tyreke's jump shooting behavior.

Now I am going to be careful here, because I am in no way shape or form a fan of the jumper infestation in Reke's game, particularly as the somewhat improved form he started the season wiht seems to have broken down again, and frankly would prefer if he just went back to the way he played last year and started slamming into the paint on every possession. That said, its STILL not an excuse for passive aggressive B.S.. According to hoopdata.com, who do some wonderful shot charting for players, Tyreke takes a total of 6.9 jumpers a game. Johnson takes 10.0 jumpers a game. Jennings also takes 10.0 jumpers a game. And all three guys are shooting like poop on the season. Are the teammates ogf those other guys quitting playing on them because oh noes he took a crappy low percentage jumper? No they're not. Atlanta is trying to win. If anyone in Milwaulkee quits Skiles will greet them on the sideline with a swift kick in the nads (maybe it would clear up some of our problems if we hired some MMA guy as Kings official nad kicker and has him just sitting there courtside in steel toed boots during games). Its unacceptable behavior on any winning team.

 

[pshn80]

Agree, it is unacceptable behavior. Thanks for the perspective.

 

[pshn80]

Maybe this discussions sheds a little light on some of the various 'sit downs' we've seen this season. It is a big club, Omri, Greene, Beno, and others. Which poses the problem of how many you can sit down at once. Let's hope for some fast maturity.

 

[bajaden]

Why does having a real pg mean less touches for Evans? In fact he would probably get more shots because there would be a flow and better shot selections. Richardson still gets 16+ shots a game for the suns. Ray Allen gets 12.7, Eric Gordon ges 17+, Manu gets 14+. The issue isnt so much Evans with the ball, its Evans bringing the ball up dribbling then driving. Defenders are waiting. He can get the same shots and the same amount in a real offense. Even better he should be getting the ball off screens or moving so defenders wont be able to clog the middle.

I've gone back and re-watched a few games. And the one thing that I noticed is that Tyreke, for the most part isn't bringing the ball up the court. Head is since he's been starting, and when Beno is on the floor, Beno is mostly bringing the ball up. I'm not saying Tyreke doesn't do it on occasion, but its a lot less than last year. So I don't think thats the problem. Tyrekes problems right now have more to do with his adjusting to the defense of the other team. Right now I think its a combination of not making good decisions and also not being physically 100%. It was obvious in the first half against the Bulls and again against the Pacers, that he looked more like his old self. But in the second half of both those games he started to struggle and thus followed that up with forced plays and errant passes..

Yes he's certainly guilty of over dribbling the ball at times, but he's not the only culprit. Head and Beno both are guilty at times. The problem is that we don't really know what play they're trying to run, and if the over dribbling is a result of someone not doing what they're suspossed to do. Judging from statements from several of the players, there could be more to the problem than just one player overdribbling the ball. Point is, we don't know. So its hard to make an objective judgement as to where the total blame lies.

Tyreke has some problems he has to work out. Thats a given, and not a shock to anyone thats watched the NBA on a regular basis. Whatever it is that you like to do, they're going to do their best to take it away from you. Your not going to surprise anyone in the league your second time around. His jumpshot still needs a lot of work, and until that improves, his offense is going to struggle. And calling him by a different name isn't going to change that.

 

[bajaden]

If Reke was in a slump with his jumper I would agree with you but he is not. So far in his short career he has not had success as a jump shooter. So his taking any more than he has to is uncalled for. When he makes one out of two then take two more if they come you way. That is not what is happening. I don't approve of any malignering on anyone's part but I do understand because, in my mind, there is a problem with Tyreke's jump shooting behavior.

This is sort of a chicken and egg thing. I mean as in, you can't really have one without the other. No arguement from me about Tyreke's success as a jump shooter. But can we all agree that for him to move to the next level, he has to be able to become at the very least a competent jumpshooter. So if your hitting them in practice, does that make you a good jumpshooter? Nope! Other teams could give a tinkers damm about how well you shoot in practice. Nope, you have to hit them during games. And when I last checked, the only way to accomplish that, is to shoot the ball during games.

I loved Peja as a shooter. And to be fair, he had a reputation as a great shooter. But there were many times when he was as cold as the north pole in the first half of a game, and lit it up in the second half. He did that by continuing to shoot the ball. Ditto Chris Webber. We tolerated their misses because of their reputation. Which is exactly why we have less patience with Evans right now. He also has to fight his reputation as a bad shooter. I'm not suggesting that he should start taking 15 jumpshots a game. But I'am suggesting that he needs to keep trying his shot during games if he indeed wants to improve. And that its going to require a little patience from us.

Let me put it this way. If its the first quarter and he's left wide open on the floor, take the shot. If its the fourth quarter and there's 2 minutes left in the game, and were tied, unless you've been red hot, don't take the shot. To my mind, its not about taking the shot or not taking the shot. Its about when you choose to take the shot. Its about making good decisions and picking the right times to take the shot. Tyreke had both strengths and weaknesses when he came into the league. Right now, his strengths are being neutralized to some degree and his weaknesses are being exposed. So he has work to do, and unfortunately that work is happening right before our eyes. And at times its not a pretty sight. I have supreme confidence that he'll be fine. But at times, it will be painful to watch.

 

[pshn80]

This is sort of a chicken and egg thing. I mean as in, you can't really have one without the other. No arguement from me about Tyreke's success as a jump shooter. But can we all agree that for him to move to the next level, he has to be able to become at the very least a competent jumpshooter. So if your hitting them in practice, does that make you a good jumpshooter? Nope! Other teams could give a tinkers damm about how well you shoot in practice. Nope, you have to hit them during games. And when I last checked, the only way to accomplish that, is to shoot the ball during games.

I loved Peja as a shooter. And to be fair, he had a reputation as a great shooter. But there were many times when he was as cold as the north pole in the first half of a game, and lit it up in the second half. He did that by continuing to shoot the ball. Ditto Chris Webber. We tolerated their misses because of their reputation. Which is exactly why we have less patience with Evans right now. He also has to fight his reputation as a bad shooter. I'm not suggesting that he should start taking 15 jumpshots a game. But I'am suggesting that he needs to keep trying his shot during games if he indeed wants to improve. And that its going to require a little patience from us.

Let me put it this way. If its the first quarter and he's left wide open on the floor, take the shot. If its the fourth quarter and there's 2 minutes left in the game, and were tied, unless you've been red hot, don't take the shot. To my mind, its not about taking the shot or not taking the shot. Its about when you choose to take the shot. Its about making good decisions and picking the right times to take the shot. Tyreke had both strengths and weaknesses when he came into the league. Right now, his strengths are being neutralized to some degree and his weaknesses are being exposed. So he has work to do, and unfortunately that work is happening right before our eyes. And at times its not a pretty sight. I have supreme confidence that he'll be fine. But at times, it will be painful to watch.

Good post. I agree with your analysis. The Webber. Peja situations are not very comparable. They both had proven that they were good jump shooters. We knew we had to wait it out. Not so with Tyreke. I think he has to be giver permission, right now, to not be the man. I think that's the same thing your saying about his need to make better decisions. I think coach needs to help by telling him that's all right.

 

[Lockehead]

I chose those two players on purpose to short circuit this argument, if there is ever an argument for not playing hard because the poor little baby didn't get to touch his bally-poo this time down.

Reke
36.6min 16.5FGA .401 FG% 5.7ast

Johnson
35.5min 15.5FGA .409 FG% 5.2ast

Jennings
35.1min 15.8FGA .391 FG% 5.6ast

Which is in no way to say those are good numbers -- all those guys are off to poor starts. But it is to say, clearly and obviously, that it is hardly an extreme or unheard of situation, and if guys are actually stopping playing out there over it that is on THEM. You get paid millions of dolalrs to play a game, you bust your *** out there.

Its not just about stats though. There are a lot of factors that stats do not show. I dont watch Johnson nor do i watch Jennings, but i have caught a couple of their games when its broadcasted on national tv. Jennings may take ill advised shots but he does things like moving the ball around, allowing the offense to change to get different scoring options, he distributes to other players, and he keeps the defense on their toes by doing so. Johnson who i watched a week or so ago plays within the flow of his team's offense, getting in position to be iso'd, in general just doing what his team wants him to do. These are things that stats dont show. So even though they do have similar FGA, FG%, and playing time, the way the are playing with their team are a lot different than how Tyreke is currently playing.

 

[Lockehead]

"“I’m just trying to figure out, whether it’s score or get assists, how to get us going.”"

Huh, this kind of sounds like Reke's playing a stats game. If youre playing a good team game, particularly at the guard positions, youre bound to get a decent number of assists. However it's not true the other way around; if you get a lot of assists that doesnt mean that youre being a good team player.

 

[mr. moustache]

"“I’m just trying to figure out, whether it’s score or get assists, how to get us going.”"

Huh, this kind of sounds like Reke's playing a stats game. If youre playing a good team game, particularly at the guard positions, youre bound to get a decent number of assists. However it's not true the other way around; if you get a lot of assists that doesnt mean that youre being a good team player.

Sounds like his way of saying score or pass. I wouldn't read too much into it. It's not like he was going to say, "Score, get assists, make the pass that leads to the pass that leads to an assist."

 

[swisshh]

And for the millionth time, a pure PG is wasted with a player like Reke. Even if you call him a SG, a SF, whatever you want, a pure PG is NEVER paired with that style player. Don't beleive me, start ticking them off in your heads and see who was in that backcourt with them. Derek Fisher, John Paxson and Mario Chalmers oh my. And there is a good reason for that: only 1 player can control the ball. A pure PG needs to control the ball in order to practice his craft. So does a player like Tyreke. There is inevitable confluict there, and unless you are talking about a HOF level pure PG, the conflict will be won by Reke. Which leaves you with an uindersized, normally defensively challenged, and often offensively semi-passive backcourt mate who might well be just as unused to playing without the balll, moving, etc. as is Reke. Which is to say it leaves you with garbage. Strip most pure PGs of the ability to dominate the ball and what you have is not even an NBA player.

Now a combo type point is a possibility. Somebody who can be effective without the ball with his shooting. Or somebody who can defend. In short soembody who has use when he is NOT dominanting the ball, which he is not going to do for this franchise for a very long time.

Just to be a stickler, Wade's championship Heat had JWill and Payton on PG duty.

 

[Bricklayer]

Just to be a stickler, Wade's championship Heat had JWill and Payton on PG duty.

Jwill's numbers that year: 12.3pts 2.4reb 4.9ast (Payton averaged 3.2ast in 30min/gm, and 3.0/gm for them the next year. by far his lowest totals)

Now who does that sound like? If you answered Beno Udrih you answered correctly. And that was with Big Shaq in there still as a 20ppg threat getting most of those assists. Beno represents very much the standard of PG play next to a ball dominant guard with scoring capability.

 

[mac]

This is sort of a chicken and egg thing. I mean as in, you can't really have one without the other. No arguement from me about Tyreke's success as a jump shooter. But can we all agree that for him to move to the next level, he has to be able to become at the very least a competent jumpshooter. So if your hitting them in practice, does that make you a good jumpshooter? Nope! Other teams could give a tinkers damm about how well you shoot in practice. Nope, you have to hit them during games. And when I last checked, the only way to accomplish that, is to shoot the ball during games.

I loved Peja as a shooter. And to be fair, he had a reputation as a great shooter. But there were many times when he was as cold as the north pole in the first half of a game, and lit it up in the second half. He did that by continuing to shoot the ball. Ditto Chris Webber. We tolerated their misses because of their reputation. Which is exactly why we have less patience with Evans right now. He also has to fight his reputation as a bad shooter. I'm not suggesting that he should start taking 15 jumpshots a game. But I'am suggesting that he needs to keep trying his shot during games if he indeed wants to improve. And that its going to require a little patience from us.

Let me put it this way. If its the first quarter and he's left wide open on the floor, take the shot. If its the fourth quarter and there's 2 minutes left in the game, and were tied, unless you've been red hot, don't take the shot. To my mind, its not about taking the shot or not taking the shot. Its about when you choose to take the shot. Its about making good decisions and picking the right times to take the shot. Tyreke had both strengths and weaknesses when he came into the league. Right now, his strengths are being neutralized to some degree and his weaknesses are being exposed. So he has work to do, and unfortunately that work is happening right before our eyes. And at times its not a pretty sight. I have supreme confidence that he'll be fine. But at times, it will be painful to watch.

I agree with your take, but I'd like to point out that when these shots are taken also makes a difference. It's not just about how many jumpers he actually puts up, but when as well. I've seen in almost every game at least once when Tyreke just pulls up for a 3 pointer out of nowhere with lots of time on the shot clock. I'm perfectly fine with him shooting open jumpers off good rotation where he simply ends up as the open man, but when he's dribbling and pulling up quickly ... err ....