R2D2
Bench
I might be a homer. I am certainly not objective. But some people wouldn’t recognize history even if it slapped them in the face. Let me share my feelings and the historical perspective concerning Tyreke’s 20-5-5 with you:
Oscar Robertson – Was the first pick in the first round of the 1960 draft by the Cincinnati Royals. Same team we know today as the Kings. In his rookie season, Robertson finished with incredible all-around stats of 30.5 points, 10.1 rebounds and 9.7 assists. Needless to say he was named Rookie of the Year. However, the Royals finished with a 33–46 record and did not make the playoff.
Michael Jordan – The Chicago Bulls selected Jordan with the third overall pick, after Hakeem Olajuwon (Rockets) and Sam Bowie (Blazers) in the 1984 draft, thus creating the most common known trivia question in basketball – who was picked before “His Airness”? MJ finished his rookie year with stats of 28.2 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.9 assists. Obviously that was one of the reasons why he was voted Rookie of the Year. The Bulls finished the season 38–44, and lost in the first round of the playoffs in four games to the Bucks.
LeBron James - At just 18 he was selected with the number one pick in the 2003 NBA Draft by the Cavaliers. In his rookie season, King James finished averaging 20.9 points, 5.9 assists, and 5.5 rebounds. Needless to say he was named Rookie of the Year. The Cavaliers concluded the regular season with a 35–47 record, failing to make the playoffs.
Tyreke Evans – After playing only one year in college, Evans was selected by the Sacramento Kings with the fourth overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft. In his rookie season, Havoc Evans is one game away from finishing his rookie season averaging around 21 points, 6 assists, and 5.5 rebounds. If for any reason he will not be named Rookie of the Year that will be nothing short of a black mark on NBA’s reputation.
That is it. There is no one else in NBA history to average 20-5-5 in his rookie year. NOBODY! That makes Tyreke Evans the 4th and last (for now) member of this exclusive club. Two of them are kings (and I guess I can say King James nearly makes it three…). And that goes down in the pages of history. Let me be very clear: I do not wish to compare Tyreke to any of these players, nor am I forecasting anything regarding his career. In my perspective to do so is pointless. But my point being is that no matter what this kid does throughout his career from this day forward – he will never be removed from this group of players. NEVER. And for me that is history in the making from whatever standpoint you wish to take.
So I have only two humble words to say to this kid: WOW and Congratulations. Nothing else matters.
Oscar Robertson – Was the first pick in the first round of the 1960 draft by the Cincinnati Royals. Same team we know today as the Kings. In his rookie season, Robertson finished with incredible all-around stats of 30.5 points, 10.1 rebounds and 9.7 assists. Needless to say he was named Rookie of the Year. However, the Royals finished with a 33–46 record and did not make the playoff.
Michael Jordan – The Chicago Bulls selected Jordan with the third overall pick, after Hakeem Olajuwon (Rockets) and Sam Bowie (Blazers) in the 1984 draft, thus creating the most common known trivia question in basketball – who was picked before “His Airness”? MJ finished his rookie year with stats of 28.2 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.9 assists. Obviously that was one of the reasons why he was voted Rookie of the Year. The Bulls finished the season 38–44, and lost in the first round of the playoffs in four games to the Bucks.
LeBron James - At just 18 he was selected with the number one pick in the 2003 NBA Draft by the Cavaliers. In his rookie season, King James finished averaging 20.9 points, 5.9 assists, and 5.5 rebounds. Needless to say he was named Rookie of the Year. The Cavaliers concluded the regular season with a 35–47 record, failing to make the playoffs.
Tyreke Evans – After playing only one year in college, Evans was selected by the Sacramento Kings with the fourth overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft. In his rookie season, Havoc Evans is one game away from finishing his rookie season averaging around 21 points, 6 assists, and 5.5 rebounds. If for any reason he will not be named Rookie of the Year that will be nothing short of a black mark on NBA’s reputation.
That is it. There is no one else in NBA history to average 20-5-5 in his rookie year. NOBODY! That makes Tyreke Evans the 4th and last (for now) member of this exclusive club. Two of them are kings (and I guess I can say King James nearly makes it three…). And that goes down in the pages of history. Let me be very clear: I do not wish to compare Tyreke to any of these players, nor am I forecasting anything regarding his career. In my perspective to do so is pointless. But my point being is that no matter what this kid does throughout his career from this day forward – he will never be removed from this group of players. NEVER. And for me that is history in the making from whatever standpoint you wish to take.
So I have only two humble words to say to this kid: WOW and Congratulations. Nothing else matters.
