Moving right along here to number 39. Ty Evans ladies and gents. Your 2009 NBA Rookie of the Year. 20 points 5 boards and 5 assists with almost two steals a contest. Not a bad way to start your career. Injected some life into the Kings for the first two months of last season, as they were the surprise team of the first half. This run was highlighted by some MONSTERRRR games by Tyreke, including a game winner or two.
I was pretty critical of a couple things about Tyreke when I wrote about him in my draft prospect blog before he was drafted. I very much understood that because he is so physically dominant, he was going to be able to come right in and have an impact. He was going to get his numbers and be a productive player a lot sooner than some of his peers. My question marks dealt mostly with attitude and field goal percentage. Was he selfish all the time or would he be receptive to learning how to share the ball? Was he going to be able to find spots where he can make jumpers at a high percentage or was he going to be a 10-23 from the field guy? Could he really play the 1 or was a hybrid 2/small forward? Does he have to dominate the ball to play well? Does he want to win or does he want his numbers and his check every month?
So far I think you have to say that he's proved me wrong. I don't care what your weaknesses are, if you're doing 20, 5 and 5 you're a heck of a player. No doubt, he slowed down as the advanced scouting caught up to him. But to dominate physically and be that productive speaks to how big of a beast this guy is. And to work your way through the rookie wall and still keep up that number clip for a whole season was sweet. He's a guy that you can build around. He's a guy that you can be excited about.
Year 2 will be interesting to watch. They are building around him as the center piece and hit the lottery when DeMarcus Cousins fell to them at 5 in this past draft. They have a good young nucleus in the works. Landry. Jason Thompson. Beno Udrih is still effective. If only they can find a guy who can sit in a corner and bury 3s.
Tyreke has got to be on this list because of what a monster he is physically. He has a lot of LeBron in him, in the way he just storms into the paint like a running back. He's a force. At the same time, he also has Bron like shooting question marks. Is that J ever gonna be consistent or is it gonna be a night to night streaky stroke? That's a big question, and one he'll have to answer this season as teams try to wall up and try to contain his penetration and make him throw it in from the perimeter.
I look forward to keeping tabs on TE. I like him on this top 40 list. Not sure if he's on it, too high or low or just on the outside looking in, but I think we're safe to have him on. We'll continue the countdown soon.
Willing to work harder,
John Curran
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