Size at the Point: The Length of Tyreke Evans
by Ziller on May 30, 2009 11:32 AM PDT
in NBA Draft
73 comments
The biggest news from the combine, as has been discussed in various threads here, is one of two things: the length measurements of Blake Griffin, or length measurements of Tyreke Evans.
Griffin's height measured fine (6'10 in shoes), but DraftExpress' Jonathan Givony notes that the No. 1 pick's wingspan is just a quarter of an inch from ranking dead last among all power forwards drafting in the top 15 this decade and his standing reach is an inch better than the worst. Meanwhile, Evans has the longest wingspan for any point guard ever measured at the combine (Orlando or Chicago).
In fact, Evans, a 6'5 point guard, has the same wingspan -- six feet, 11-1/4 inches -- as 6'10 Griffin.
Evans is huge! By comparison, Shaun Livingston was more than two inches taller than Evans at draft time. And Evans' wingspan is actually longer! Evans' wingspan is just one inch shorter than LeBron's. Longer than Iguodala, Childress, Wade, Salmons, J.R. Smith, Terrence Williams (by more than two inches), Roy (by three inches), Westbrook (by 3-1/2 inches). Just unbelievable length.
Of course, as section214 has reminded us, size isn't everything. Remember Shawn Bradley, remember (ahem) pre-injury Livingston. You need skills to be an NBA player, you need elite skills or physical assets -- at the least some combination of adequacy in the two -- to be a good or great NBA player.
If Evans can play the point in the NBA -- his record at the helm of Memphis would indicate an affirmative answer there -- he will be the longest, biggest point guard in the league. Bigger than Billups, Williams. Longer than Rondo. (I think. Rondo didn't submit to measurements.) If he has or can develop the skills, he'll be able to post up any single point guard in the league. If he has the heart to devote himself to team defense, he should be one of the guards most physically ready to challenge every jumper. If he can jump and sprint, he could be deadly in transition. At both ends.
Again, he needs to develop the right skills, the right coach, the right team fit, the right attitude. But that's one helluva canvas to bring to the parlour. It seems as though the Kings think so, too. From Amick:
"I'd feel great running the point down there in Sacramento. (Kevin) Martin in the backcourt with me – he's a great scorer. If I do go there, we'll get the job done. Having a two-guard like that with me would be great. With the ball in my hands, I make a lot of good things happen."
Evans interviewed with the Kings during the combine.
"They talk a lot about how they want a big guard," he said. "They're looking at me real hard."
Life after The Lotto. It's good, y'all.
(By the way, Holiday came out pretty big as well. The wingspan -- 6'7 -- didn't blow up the abacus like Evans. But he's 6'4+ in shoes and pushes 200 lbs. Very solid. The other big point guard of note is Rodrique Beaubois of France. Only 6'2, but a wingspan near 6'10. I haven't heard anything about his speed/agility numbers -- if those are high, he should rise up the boards, maybe into a legit first round slot.)
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I
try not to get man crushes on draft picks …. but if I did … this would be the guy for me.
Booyah!
by what_the_crap on May 30, 2009 11:47 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Rodrigue Beaubois also has giant wingspan for his size, on the level of Rajon Rondo
But he will be a second round steal :)
by Norsktroll on May 30, 2009 11:50 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I think he's the guy
Think about the match up problems the Kings would cause, as they would have great size at every position, as well as athleticism (I’m giving SHawes the benefit of the doubt here, as he has some surprises in this regard. Plus if Greene pans out… wow. They would be a nightmare for other teams to match up with.
by propane on May 30, 2009 11:51 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
If, indeed,
the Kings draft Evans and by ’10 he and Greene start, this could be our starting line-up.
1. Evans 6’ 5"
2. KMart 6’ 7"
3. Greene 6’ 10"
4. JT 6’ 11"
5. Hawes 7’ 0"
In a league where size is at a premium, this line-up could match up with the best of them.
Frank Army
by BPaoliano on May 30, 2009 11:56 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
May get grilled for this
but in a year or so I could see a lineup of
Evans/Garcia/Greene/JT/Hawes being a better fit in the long run, with Cisco’s ball handling and defense complementing Evans well, and Martin coming off the bench as a mega-minute scoring 6th man, a la Manu.
by LPKingsFan on May 30, 2009 4:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
A1 or JackDaniels?
I’m not opposed to that idea. Or you could start Martin, and let him get some quick shots in a distribution-heavy rotation, but take him out quick. Then put him back in when you take out Evans and JT or Hawes, so his isolation plays can be taken advantage of in a less pass-happy lineup.
I'm the guy that made pookey change his mind on something: "IW, there, I finally admitted it. You stinkin Islander punk. I’m going to get you for making me admit this you voodoo child Jerzey punk torta." I don't know what a torta is, I thought it was a sandwich. I like sandwiches. Victory is tasty.
by iashwash on May 30, 2009 5:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I must say
Tyreke would be my pick @ # 4
"I'm too weird ta live but much too rare ta die"
by aKingisBored on May 30, 2009 12:24 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
He is who I voted for.
Star written all over him.
Hope
by Ultrakingsfan on May 30, 2009 12:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
This puts Evans past Jennings for me.
Still want Rubio more, but would definitely like having Evans running the point.
Father of the "Natt this!" movement.
by Aykis16 on May 30, 2009 12:28 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
a WHAT fan?
I’m sorry my mind has utterly rejected the word you put before fan after a.
Father of the "Natt this!" movement.
by Aykis16 on May 30, 2009 2:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
O [redacted].
I see.
Father of the "Natt this!" movement.
by Aykis16 on May 30, 2009 2:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Won't mind Tyreke
Weighing in at 225 lbs. he could possibly three positions. I put him over Jennings too.
by rc360 on May 30, 2009 12:37 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I did too
I could live with Tyreke Evans or Brandon Jennings in a heartbeat if the Kings decide they don’t want to play with any offer to get Rubio. (Which is not a shock here.)
Evil Cowtown Inc: Screwin' Suckaz over since Nineteen Eighty-Five.....
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
by pookeyguru on May 30, 2009 1:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Tyreke > Rubio
I’ve been saying for awhile now that if given the opportunity, I’d prefer to have a backcourt of Evans and Kmart over (insert rookie PG here) and Kmart heading into next season.
I watched a good number of Memphis games this year and I became more and more impressed with Evans as the season went on. His size, quickness and defense would be the PERFECT combo with Kmart in the backcourt. His ability to post up smaller PGs would free up a number of opportunities for JT and Hawes. (I would have to think that teams would be forced to double off our 3 spot)
I must admit, with Kmart’s blatent inability to play defense, I’m a bit awed by the fascination with STR to draft a European PG. As much as I like the prospect of having another flashy PG with star appeal, the much safer bet would be to draft a PG with size than can assist on the defensive end and can create mismatches on the other end of the ball. After all, the NBA is a game of mismatches isnt it???
Of course, most of what I wrote above is based on the assumption that Evans proves to GP that he can play the 1 in the NBA….And IF he can…. than there is no question that Evans is the man we should pick to run our squad!!!
by Hoops916 on May 30, 2009 12:58 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Agreed
I’m starting to see it this way as well.
"I'm too weird ta live but much too rare ta die"
by aKingisBored on May 30, 2009 1:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rubio is a good defender too. He's smart and experienced, he's the safer bet
by kingme on May 30, 2009 2:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't see
how Rubio is a safer bet than Evans. Neither are good shooters (although both could easily improve). Evans is stronger and more atheletic, and with his size he could play multiple positions. I think both have star potential, but drafting either of them would be a gamble.
"I'm too weird ta live but much too rare ta die"
by aKingisBored on May 30, 2009 2:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You're ignoring the defensive aspect
How good Rubio could be on that end is a question, but one of his pluses is that he is very good on that end in the ACB.
Evil Cowtown Inc: Screwin' Suckaz over since Nineteen Eighty-Five.....
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
by pookeyguru on May 30, 2009 2:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I haven't seen
much of Rubio’s defense, so I can’t really be sure, but from what I’ve heard it sounds like he has good instincts on that end but gambles too much, a la Allen Iverson. My main concern with his defense is that he lacks the strength/quickness to guard the Chris Pauls and Deron Williams of the league.
"I'm too weird ta live but much too rare ta die"
by aKingisBored on May 30, 2009 2:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rubio is a pesky defender
Iverson doesn’t even try on defense. Look at what happened to the Pistons when they got him. I watched the gold medal games and I think he held his own against Paul and Deron. I’m pretty sure he did well against Kidd
by kingme on May 30, 2009 3:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Iverson does try
on defense, the problem is that he constantly tries for steals, which leaves him hopelessly out of position. I thought I heard that Rubio did that sometimes, although I didn’t get to see him in the Olympics.
"I'm too weird ta live but much too rare ta die"
by aKingisBored on May 30, 2009 3:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Looked like Rubio had good lateral quickness
From what I saw in the olympics, he seems to slide and cut off players well. Strength is a concern but I guarantee the NBA team he joins will add at least 10 lbs of strength.
by abasketballfan on May 30, 2009 4:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Cool
like I said, I haven’t seen much of Rubio.
"I'm too weird ta live but much too rare ta die"
by aKingisBored on May 30, 2009 4:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like Evans but
Weaknesses according to DX
- Decision making
- Dominant ball-handler
- Out of control at times
- Shot-selection
- Stuck between 1 and 2
- Turnover prone
- Doesn’t always know limitations
- Off-court red flags?
- Older than class peers
- Poor assist/turnover ratio
- 3-point shooting percentages
- Free throw shooting
Do you really want that to be your PG? If you have a chance to snag Rubio, you take it and run
by kingme on May 30, 2009 2:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not saying I know better than DX
but I don’t see being a dominant ball-handler and being older than class peers as bad thing necessarily, and his shot selection and decision-making could improve as he gains experience. That being said, if Rubio is available at #4 I’d take him, but if not I’d be more than happy with Tyreke, or Holliday for that matter.
"I'm too weird ta live but much too rare ta die"
by aKingisBored on May 30, 2009 2:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
No thanks
Decision making
Out of control at times
Shot-selection
Off-court red flags?
Free throw shooting
Having really long arms doesn’t make up for these basic deficits in his point guard abilities.
The draft lottery has reinforced my belief that there are not enough bad words in the English language.
by LeaguePassAddict on May 30, 2009 6:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
And can Evans shoot?
thats a big concern (25% on jumpshots). Salmons could dominate the ball and go to the hole – though Evans can and probably will pass more often.
So imitate the action of the tiger!.
Lend the eye a terrible aspect
- and teach them how to war!
Henry V iii
by lietothegirls on May 30, 2009 7:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Do we really need a PG that can shoot the ball
when we already have a couple shooters and scorers on this team?? Remember he’s going to play in the backcourt with Kevin Martin
by eduardo_m7 on May 30, 2009 7:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You didn't list the positives.
Go to scoring mentality, athleticism, good defender. I’m just saying.
Teh Dego Dagger
by BPaoliano on May 31, 2009 1:02 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
can someone tell me more about Tyreke’s game? can he be a good point gurad or is he more of a 2 guard?
by pakyubai on May 30, 2009 1:02 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Not a true PG, but maybe someone who can be converted to the position.
by bignerd on May 30, 2009 1:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not a true PG
but a true Combo Guard. I see him filling a similar role to Bibby. Bring the ball up, work pick and rolls or enter it to a post passer and move without the ball. Considering the Kings offensive ball movement (Princeton) the fact that he may not have true PG skills (as of now) shouldn’t be much of a deterrent.
On paper he may fit more of our needs as a PG than Rubio. Size, athletecism, go-to scoring mentality, also he’s a very capable and versatile defender.
Frank Army
by BPaoliano on May 30, 2009 1:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
They thought that
about Quincy Douby as well.
Fail.
The draft lottery has reinforced my belief that there are not enough bad words in the English language.
by LeaguePassAddict on May 30, 2009 6:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Exactly
Evans is getting an NFL combine scary bump. Can’t recall the last basketball player that dominated a game with arm reach.
by bignerd on May 30, 2009 9:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
That would have been -
Squids O’Shaunessey. Played for the Maine Shuckers back in 49-50. Not a great leaper but what a reach!
SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!
by section214 on May 30, 2009 9:13 PM PDT up reply actions 5 recs
By any chance
do you know if he played with Mikkael Moore back then?? For some reason it looks like they might have been related…
by eduardo_m7 on May 30, 2009 9:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh come on
I’m the first to rec this? Maybe everyone else found something better to do on a saturday night?
How can you tell that’s a squid and not an octapus?
by AnotherStupidSN on May 30, 2009 9:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
How can you tell that’s a squid and not an octapus?
Being a resident of Seattle makes me a seafood snob.
Evil Cowtown Inc: Screwin' Suckaz over since Nineteen Eighty-Five.....
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
by pookeyguru on May 30, 2009 9:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ha
I just noticed that he has a fish with one of his arms. That makes it even better, though I’m not sure why.
Yikes, I need more sleep.
by AnotherStupidSN on May 30, 2009 9:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The picture was taken on a Friday
and Squids is a Roman Catholic.
I need more sleep, too.
SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!
by section214 on May 30, 2009 9:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Tough in the paint, but he’s terrible at getting out in transition. Crawford has thrown him out a few games arguing over reach in fouls.
by bignerd on May 30, 2009 11:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I really don't think hes a point
I think hes a 2. He is an excellent playmaker with the ball in his hands but his assists to turnovers are hurrendous (1.4 to 1.3) and he is flat out a much better scorer then anything else.
I would like to draft him though, I see a little Vince Carter, I just don’t think he can play the point in anything short of spot duty.
by jstnblke41 on May 30, 2009 1:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I see
a little Rodney Stuckey in his game. Good size for a pg, not a great shooter, but excellent at getting to the rim and finishing
"I'm too weird ta live but much too rare ta die"
by aKingisBored on May 30, 2009 1:13 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Rubio isn't a great shooter
But he does have a higher FT% at the line, and does get there as often as Evans does. Something to think about. (Rubio’s rate is higher. I’m going to ignore that though. Too many differences in NCAA & European ball to really differentiate whether it matters.)
Evil Cowtown Inc: Screwin' Suckaz over since Nineteen Eighty-Five.....
No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....
by pookeyguru on May 30, 2009 1:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
If we can't get Rubio
Tyreke Evans is my guy, no doubt.
My main thing if we were to get a PG with the 4th pick is that he doesn’t necessarily need to be a good shooter. We have a great scorer in K-Mart, we need someone who is goign to complement him in the backcourt. I see Rubio, with his court vision and bball IQ, and Evans, with his penetration and lenght, being those type of PGs.
by eduardo_m7 on May 30, 2009 3:22 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
My thoughts exactly
we have plenty of shooters on this team, we don’t necessarily need our pg to be able to shoot.
"I'm too weird ta live but much too rare ta die"
by aKingisBored on May 30, 2009 3:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Plus
it seems like a poor jump shot is pretty easily fixed.
"I'm too weird ta live but much too rare ta die"
by aKingisBored on May 30, 2009 3:36 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Mr. FantasTyreke!
Ball movement ... is like jogging for most people: They do it occasionally, and it makes them happy. Then they go back to not doing it. - Henry Abbott
by Kfan in Korea on May 30, 2009 3:39 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
are you implying that Tyreke Evans measured long with only one arm?
talk about wrap around passes!
by betweentheeyes on May 30, 2009 4:12 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
He’s not a point guard. He was called one at Memphis in that he brought the ball up the court but his mentality was to score. The best distributor and playmaker on that team, the de facto point, was really Antonio Anderson. I think the shift was made because he was struggling playing without having the ball always in his hands. That was what he was used to in high school, as I suppose most high school star guards are and he was rushing things and his rhythm wasn’t good. Simply letting him dribble the ball up the floor and allowing him to call his own number helped him immeasurably. That’s all well and good when you’re the best player on your college team and playing in college where the offenses aren’t as structured in the nba, but I don’t think you can be a nba point guard when your mentality is about 75% looking to score.
by Galeto on May 30, 2009 4:05 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Yeah the scorers mentality
is a concern, but with his ability to get to the rim and all of our shooters…
"I'm too weird ta live but much too rare ta die"
by aKingisBored on May 30, 2009 4:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You know how deep in foul trouble
we can get teams in with Evans and Martin? It’d be amazing.
Of course JT and Spence need to learn how to not foul as well or we’ll be in the same pickle. JT almost led the league in fouls a game and Spence was 16th. Noc is at 9th. That’s not a good sign for our frontcourt.
Father of the "Natt this!" movement.
by Aykis16 on May 30, 2009 4:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
But ya K-Mart
was right behind Dwight Howard for FTA a game. Almost leading the league. Him and Evans could wreak havoc. So could Rubio who gets to the line more than Evans (and shoots better from there too).
Father of the "Natt this!" movement.
by Aykis16 on May 30, 2009 4:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed
Tyreke Evans was Cals best perimeter athlete at attacking the rim, therefore in his dribble drive offense he is the point guard. He also had only 10 more assists on the season then turnovers.
I like him at the NBA level, but hes a 2. No question about it.
by jstnblke41 on May 31, 2009 2:49 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
IF we dont get Rubio
I say we pick Jennings. As long as its either Rubio, Jennings, Evans, or Holiday. I think the average King fan will be happy. We need more of a passer than a scorer and thats why Im not totally with evans. Decisions like this make me happy we have Petrie.
by bxgrimm on May 30, 2009 5:44 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Lawson
Is better than Jennings or Holiday in my opinion. Proven point guard that led his team to the NCAA title. The others are unproven. Kings need a proven point guard with upside and potential.
Kings rule! (They are royalty - right?)
by dalt99 on May 30, 2009 7:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Holiday will be better than Lawson eventually
I saw every UCLA game and a lot of UNC games last year. Lawson might be better than Holiday right now because of his experience but I don’t think that will hold down the line. Holiday was thought to be bust at UCLA because our last star frosh, klove, set the bar way too high. The Bad is that Holiday doesn’t shoot well, but that is something he can work on. He’s not lightning quick or super athletic, but he’s still way above average, and probably beats at least Rubio in this department. The Good is that he is a great and natural passer (something you can’t teach), and sees the floor extremely well. Though we only saw flashes of this with Collison at the point, Jrue made some passes that you usually only see Nash/Kidd/Paul making. I’m not saying he’ll be as good as those guys, but his ceiling is higher than most of the point guards in the draft. Best of all he’s committed to defense like most Howland coached players (i.e. westbrook, LRMM). He’s also a standup kid who is articulate and will put up the effort to get better. I think he’s more a PG than Evans is and lawson is too small. I’m hoping Holiday comes back to UCLA to run the offense for a year but that probably wont happen. Remember he’ll be only 19 in a couple weeks. All that said the highest pick I’d use for Holiday is probably an 8th or 9th pick, but who knows if he’ll be there this year.
by ucla06 on May 31, 2009 10:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Evans
He can not only become a great point guard but a guy that can score off the dribble penetration and take over a game when he needs to. He’s a possible franchise player. I love Ty Lawson but if Evans is there, you take him.
Kings rule! (They are royalty - right?)
by dalt99 on May 30, 2009 7:20 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I'll take Evans body with Lawsons IQ and leadership
That’s the problem with this draft. Its all about give and take.
He is a gamble as an NBA point guard. But if the gamble pays off, Cha Ching!!
If Petrie picks him i’ll be okay with it.
by nothingbutnet on May 30, 2009 8:18 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
So, to recap:
we like Rubio. We like Evans. Some of us like Holiday.
Mr. Petrie, your pick? Jimmy-who-from-North-Central-what?
I’m looking forward to the disbelieving horror already.
by AnotherStupidSN on May 30, 2009 9:32 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Haha
Yeah I’m sure Petrie will suprise us, but I trust him to make the right pick.
"I'm too weird ta live but much too rare ta die"
by aKingisBored on May 30, 2009 9:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I still don't get it
Why does anyone think he can play PG in the NBA? He averaged 3.9 assists per game and 3.6 TO’s per game….in college. I’d rather not draft a PG capable of finishing dead last every year in assist/TO ratio.
Why would you even want to experiment with playing a guy at the point that loves to massage the ball until he drives in or turns it over. Everything I’ve read indicates that he’s a ball-dominating shooting guard that can’t shoot. If he ends up having to play SG, then he’s not that long for a SG.
I don’t know…there are people much more knowledgeable than I that seem to think he can play PG in the NBA, so maybe I just need somebody to explain this to me.
by Charlieb on May 31, 2009 12:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
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