I posted this in another thread but I think it should belong here. I think he's worth taking a chance on. Why? His stock is low, he's young, has all the talent in the world. Furthemore, it's not like we are playing "winning" basketball anyways. I think a change of scenery would work wonders for Evans. Especially if he can play next to an actual PG like Dragic and focus on the things he's good at (creating his own shot, penetrating, reliable scorer, being a go-to-guy in crunch time, closer). The reason why I really want Evans is because he can be had right now. What I mean is his stock probably won't drop much lower than it is right now. His situation reminds me of Javale McGee's. McGee was also young, talented, came from a losing program, thought of as a bonehead (still is but not as much) and nobody wanted to touch him while he was on the Wizards but when he went to Denver it was like he became a completely different player. I think everyone was shocked when Denver let Nene go for McGee straight up but Denver actually made out like bandits. Evans is only 22 and TWO seasons removed from being the ROTY from a class that included (Steph Curry and Clutchfans favorite Non-Rocket James Harden). Evans also put up 20, 6, 5 with 1.5 steals per game his rookie year. I know stats aren't everything but those numbers show that he's well rounded and does everything well which he does while bringing good size and strength to boot. Playing for a losing team (Sacramento), having other young teammates, a coach that didn't know anything (Wesphal) and playing out of position the majority of the time takes a huge toll on a young player. When it comes to acquiring new players the majority of Clutchfans always complains about players being too old or not being good enough (star/superstar potential). Well here's a player thats young, has All Star talent but comes with some baggage. You can't make a player younger and you can't teach god-given talent. However, you can teach a player to play ball that's condusive to winning if he's in the right situation. I think when it comes to Evans of course there's some risk but the potential payoff is HUGE imo.
I'd be 100% for taking a chance on Tyreke Evans. But honestly, I'd be 100% for any direction for this team that isn't the one they are currently on.
This right here. When we're here stuck in the mud, Tyreke is as close as the Rockets can get to a potential star. Dwight Howard, most likely, is not coming here and I rather doubt we have the pieces to trade up into the top 5 on draft night. With Evans, you have the potential to have a killer backcourt with Lowry/Dragic...it'd be similar to that two PG lineup McHale ran this year, except it would probably be less of a defensive issue given Tyreke's size and strength. If the price is right, go for it...it's not like Tyreke is totally unproven or anything.
Do you think Evans is a cheaper version of Harden? Obviously minus the outside shooting, which Avery Johnson can tell you is fixable, but Evans at his price tag and in the same role of Harden but for the Rockets, does it make sense to spend those resources to get him, being without that integral player (or 2) right now? It's a buyer's market on Evans, and timing is everything in the NBA. Look at Memphis and Randolph/Novak in NY/Bradley in Boston. Of course those teams were teeming with talent from the first and second option, but since we are working both ends of the negotiation table to get talent and support staff, I think a player of Evans' ilk is worth the investment as long as he replaces talent on this team. One thing to mention, Kevin Martin. He is going to fetch the Rockets something nice @ the trade deadline, but he's gotta play to up our asking price. But he's not a closer, and he's not able to manufacture those FTs anymore by getting players to bite on fakes. Someone who can manufacture FTs these days is someone who can handle the ball going to the basket. That will be the biggest factor for Evans. That is what you need in the 4th quarter when you are protecting the lead, or trying to foul out bigs. With Dragic, even though he does serve the same purpose, it extends his playing lifetime in that it saves him miles of bumps and bruises. He can differ to Evans on drives to the basket. And Dragic being a better 3pt threat right now means his defender cannot sag on him like Lee's defenders do. Martin can put on numbers for the 1st and 3rd quarter (a la Thabo), but Evans can start out on our roster as our backup 2/closing 2. If somehow we are still going to get a star somewhere, having an attaching 2 on your roster (even if he's not your centerpiece) makes your team more complete to be able to compete with the monsters of either conference. Drawing fouls will again be a part of the Houston Rockets repertoire.
^ He wont make us more complete. He will clog up our capspace and tease us with talent for years while never delivering. He is nothing like James Harden.
Yes. I mentioned James Harden in my post because both players are the same age and come from the same draft class. 2 years ago Tyreke was on top of the world and everybody thought he was going to be the next great thing like D-Wade. At the same time some people were calling James Harden dare I say a "bust" and labeled him "inconsistent" which he was and the odd-man out (was Jeff Greene instead but could've been Harden) in OKC. Times have surely changed in 2 short seasons. Of course Harden is the smarter player that possesses a higher basketball IQ and he's a much better shooter but everything else is pretty equal in terms of size, strength, talent etc. The biggest difference is one plays for a Winning organization and the other doesn't. Also have to consider the fact that Harden is going to get PAID and his stock is at an all time high. I'm 99.9% sure Harden will get a Max offer when the time comes and Evans can be had for a fraction of whatever Harden will get. I'm buying.
Evans reminds me of a taller Monta Ellis. He'll score, but the ball will only be with him. He's an offensive blackhole. For a guy like Melo or Iverson, who can score on nearly everybody, it's something you're willing to take. For someone like Ellis or Evans, they're more often hurting the team offensively than helping it.
Another thing to consider guys... Nobody ever said or claimed Tyreke has to be the long term solution. I don't see why anybody would have a problem with bringing him in for cheap *if we can* and showcase our new "asset". It's one thing we seem to be good at doing. If he plays well and we win then we can keep him. If he doesn't pan out in terms of helping us win we can package him for another player. One things for certain ... he's going to put up numbers regardless. You need assets with not just value but a name as well in order to make big moves most of the time. Francis for McGrady anybody?? Whether Evans' is fools gold or not remains to be seen but a player that young and talented who's put up big numbers in the short past will ALWAYS have value. If Sacramento is shopping him for cheap or at a bargain we'd be fools not to jump on it. What exactly have we accomplished since the Post Yao/McGrady era? A whole lot of just missing the playoffs and the #14 pick. Not sure about you guys but I'm kind of over that scenario. Small risk for big reward here. Think about how Zach Randolph was the biggest factor in turning the Grizzlies franchise around. You think anybody outside of Memphis thought Zbo would have that positive effect on that team when he got traded there? Shoot, probably more half the Memphis fans were wondering WTF as well.
Found some article with this stat in it. "On a per-36-minute basis, he would average 19.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.2 assists — All-Star numbers. If he shot as often as, say, Dwyane Wade, Harden would average 28 points a game." - Howard Beck, NY Times
And this is Evans on a lottery team, with Paul Wesphal as coach, and no veteran leadership. TWill 15.5ppg/7.2rpg/5.4apg/51 TS% Evans 17.3ppg/4.8rpg/4.7apg/51 TS% Harden 19.3 ppg/4.7rpg/4.2 apg/ .464 Shooting Efficiency% I think a change of scenery would do Evans good, and give Houston a quality weapon with a little bit of potential to maximize, and not cost us a max contract like Harden. Thanks lcahmed (repped)
Are you out of your mind? Martin would hold out if we traded for Evans. And to the poster that says Evans is better than Martin, you are either out of your mind or out of your mind? Martin is light-years better than Evans.
I dunno about light years. Martin is a seasoned NBA vet, that is what 7 years vs. 3 years in the association gets you, being ahead. But if you take Martin at the same 'years of NBA experience' as you take Evans: Martin - 20.2ppg/4.3rpg/2.2apg; then you get a player that played better than Harden at a LEGIT 35.2mpg (3rd season). +3ppg and -2 apg is not what I call light years. Martin is a perfect complimentary piece to play with a Dominant Center who plays offense and defense. Evans is a perfect complimentary piece to a trade to GET a Dominant All-Star caliber player. Martin has outlived his usefulness because is makes as much sense to Houston in our long term plans as Trevor Ariza did when we learned he couldn't generate his own offense. Ariza: cannot generate own offense = Martin: cannot manufacture FT points It is time to move on, to evolve our roster. One thing that is starting to REALLY work in Morey's favor when putting ANY player in his trades, even if it is just a trade that doesn't work out, is that the player has value higher than generally perceived. Lin/Novak/TWill are examples. I don't know if Morey sees any more value in Evans as we do. If so, GREAT, I hope it doesn't take an arm and a leg to get him. But I maybe Morey perceives Evans value at less than his asking price. If that is the case, I don't want Evans. If the price for Evans is up there with Lowry, I don't think I do it, UNLESS, the piece the Rockets eventually bring here is a Dominant All-Star caliber player. In that case, I will take Tyreke for as long as he is a means to THAT end.
As always it depends on the price. People saying they wouldn't take him at all...well I'm glad you do not run the team. At some point your team HAS to take a risk or two. Especially when you are stuck in mediocrity.
