When did Tyreke Evans forget how to score?
Tyreke Evans averaged 19.4 points in 2017-18 with the Memphis Grizzlies. He topped that mark exactly 4 times in 69 regular season games with the Pacers. Those 4 games were: 20, 20, 23 and 27. Evan’s overall shooting went from a reasonable 45.2% down to an unthinkable 38.9%.
Even the thing he did best with the Pacers – shooting 3’s – was significantly worse than Memphis Tyreke, falling to 35.6% from 39.9. Evans was brought in to be a secondary playmaker and a backup option if Victor Oladipo missed time. Vic did indeed miss time, but Evans was unable to provide much of anything off the bench.
When Victor Oladipo went down with a season ending injury, many thought that Tyreke’s time had finally come. However, the coaching staff either didn’t trust Evans at that point or wanted him to remain as a “spark plug” guy.
When Victor Oladipo went down with a season ending injury, many thought that Tyreke’s time had finally come. However, the coaching staff either didn’t trust Evans at that point or wanted him to remain as a “spark plug” guy.
They wound up signing Wesley Matthews, who had just been bought out by the Dallas Mavericks, and immediately inserting him into the starting lineup. There had been questions about Tyreke’s feelings towards the team (and vice versa) already, brought up by Tyreke’s brother.
This almost certainly didn’t help matters. It remains possible that Evans preferred to be a 6th man, but no human loves to see someone brought in off the street immediately taking their minutes.
Heading into the playoffs, Tyreke remained the most important bench piece not named Domantas. Contrary to much of the regular season, Evans was more or less a valuable contributor against the Celtics, putting up 13, 19, and 21 points in games 2 through 4. Unfortunately, in games 2 (-14 in an 8 point loss) and 4 (-11 in a 4 point loss), the team did not excel with Tyreke on the floor.