New Orleans Pelicans Rank: Tyreke Evans is a New Toy

Alvin Gentry had it pretty well over the last few years before coming to the New Orleans Pelicans. The vast majority of coaches in the association would kill to work with Steve Nash, Chris Paul, or Stephen Curry. Alvin Gentry has worked with all three. Each of them represented arguably the absolute pinnacle of the position at the time Gentry worked with them, as well. Now, Alvin Gentry finds himself in New Orleans, a city that, despite it’s brief basketball history, has featured some great point guards. However, the Pelicans don’t currently have an elite guard on the roster, and Gentry will have to mold his own point guard instead of inheriting one. It’s entirely possible the perfect man for the job is already on the roster; this player just needs Alvin Gentry to fit the blocks together.

Tyreke Evans is not elite. He doesn’t have the incredible vision of Nash on the break, he doesn’t have the computer like patience and reading ability off the pick like Paul, and he does not have the best shooting stroke in the history of the NBA like Steph Curry. The thing is, though, all of the ingredients are there for Alvin Gentry to mold Evans into an a top tier combo guard. Like Curry, Tyreke Evans has elite handles that allow him to work to the basket with ease. Coming off the pick, Tyreke does not finish at an elite level of efficiency, but he excels at slinging the ball around to open teammates like Paul. Tyreke in transition can be extremely frustrating, but his willingness to push the ball like Nash is something that Gentry can refine.

Evans possesses some weapons that none of those three have in their arsenal. The obvious asset is his size. Not only is Tyreke long for a point guard, but he is also strong. His strength allows Evans to bully smaller guards and force his way to the basket with ease. Nash, Curry, and Paul will never be accused of being elite athletes, but Tyreke Evans definitely fits that category. Combine his athleticism with his size, and its no wonder he was compared to Lebron James frequently in his rookie season.

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Some of the biggest weaknesses in Tyreke Evans’ game can be fixed by simply having a better coach. On defense, Tyreke has the length, quickness and strength to be an absolute lockdown defender. The instincts aren’t there for that to materialize, but if Gentry can get him to focus, Evans can absolutely become a plus defender.

On the break his turnovers and lack of efficiency drove fans bonkers last season. In the the new system, though, the fastbreak will be a much more common occurrence, and it has to be assumed that increasing Tyreke’s court awareness and decision making ability in those situations will be priority number one for Alvin Gentry. If anyone get Tyreke to play efficient transition offense, it is Alvin Gentry.

The most exciting component of the Gentry/Evans pairing, though, is that Tyreke is something new for Alvin. Never before has Gentry had the opportunity to work with an incredibly gifted athlete who plays the lead guard spot like a bulldozer. There is no way of knowing how effective it will be, but judging by Gentry’s track record of adapting to different styles, it should be successful. With these building blocks, Gentry’s inner child can build a lead guard who plays plus defense, attacks the defense relentlessly, facilitates for his teammates off the pick-and-roll, plays with newfound efficiency on the break, and can simply outrun and jump his opposition.

Opponents should be terrified.

Next: Reke's Prototypical Play Should be a Weapon for Gentry

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