Tyreke Evans: “How I’m Going to Get Buckets in the NBA”
In every issue of Dime, we run a feature called “The Baller’s Blueprint,” where we get up with different NBA players and have them break down their signature moves and skills. For Dime #50, we got up with Kings’ rookie scoring machine Tyreke Evans to find out how he plans to do work in the L.
Ever since his older brothers duct-taped his right hand behind his back to teach him how to use his left—back when he was four years old—Tyreke Evans has been able to get buckets at every level. He dropped 32 points a night as a McDonald’s and Jordan Brand All-American at American Christian School in suburban Philadelphia, and in his one-and-done at Memphis, ’Reke was the NCAA’s second-leading freshman scorer at 17.1 points per, which he capped with a 33-point explosion against Missouri in the Sweet Sixteen.
Having since left Memphis for the NBA, the Sacramento Kings drafted ‘Reke No. 4 after watching him beast the competition in all of his pre-Draft workouts. Evans showed serious promise in the Las Vegas Summer League, averaging close to 20 points per game. Here, the 19-year-old breaks down his pro-ready moves:
“My go-to move is a left-to-right crossover. I got that from watching Allen Iverson growing up. I just look at the way the defender is playing me. I’ll act like I’m going hard left, and if he tries to cut that off, I go back hard right and get a layup. It’s real important to have a counter, especially when you know the guy in front of you is trying to cut you off. You might set him up one time just by going left, then the next time you come down, go left and then cross back right. You got him on his heels after that.
“Another move is the Euro Step, the move that Manu Ginobili uses a lot. If I’m on the break and coming at a guy full-speed, I’ll pick up the ball and step with my right foot like I’m going that way, then come back on my left foot, go around him and lay it up. When I was in college, Coach Cal (former Memphis coach John Calipari) showed it to me, then I did it a couple times and got used to it. I’ve been getting a lot of people with it.”
More Baller’s Blueprint features:
Ben Gordon’s step-back jumper
July 29th, 2009 at 11:45 am
Joe says:
Euro step is legit, even though it looks like a travel sometimes.
July 29th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
knock knock says:
only an nba “fan” would think that was a travel
July 29th, 2009 at 12:27 pm
OHYES says:
absolutely love reke’s game
his jumper is ugly
but its cash monayyy
July 29th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
Have you ever seen the “euro crab dribble”? Unfortunately I have. I spent a night in a brothel in Amsterdam. That’s what I left with.
July 29th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
doc says:
Thats a good instructor to learn how to get buckets from.
July 29th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
jzsmoove says:
Tyreke will be a force. Mean-scoring machine. Its one of those inevitable things.
July 29th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
the cynic says:
isn’t he supposed to be a point guard?
July 29th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
will says:
I could never do the Euro step I just doesn’t feel right and most times players do travel when doing it.
July 29th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
QQ says:
I’ve been trying to incorporate the euro-step into my game… just need a little more practice. Also, another shot I need to get down pat is that floater. That’s one of the most effective ways to score over bigs in the paint. Most of the time it’s in the air before the big even realizes it.
July 29th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
Sacto_J says:
Baller! Will be interesting to see Mac Buckets and Martin create ridiculous matchup nightmares for opposing back-courts. Once this kid learns to limit his turnovers while increasing his assists (to Martin, hopefully,) it could be a real difference maker to the Kings rebuilding efforts. Might be an elite big man away from contending once again….
July 29th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
Mack Brownee says:
Evans and B Jennings are going to be stars in the association; all-rookie first team at least
July 29th, 2009 at 3:32 pm
HBooyah says:
As long as his mom doesn’t call and say the pies are ready, he’ll do alright. If she does, it’s another drive-by.
July 29th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
Ronnie says:
Probably the “STEAL” of the draft, even though he is drafted fairly high already. Its a steal because Tyreke Evans will end up to be the best player in the draft. Yes, including Blake Griffin.
The season hasn’t even started yet I know, but look at the skills and physical tools this kid has. 6′6″ by NBA measurement standards, almost a 7 feet wingspan which is exactly the same as Blake Griffin’s wingspan by the way.
He has the best ball handling skills coming out of this draft and his large frame lets him draw fouls and finish at will. Watch Reke, you’ll see he can basically do anything on the court he wants. He gets to any spots he wants and can create his own shot at anytime. The harder part will be him working on feeding his teammates. He will get that also because he commands double teams all day.
July 29th, 2009 at 8:52 pm
buttcrackMcGee says:
He da friggin’ man, y’all. Yall don’t recognize his skillz, G!!!
July 30th, 2009 at 1:00 am
FaStRmAn says:
Kid has got SKILLZZ! He is gonna score and dish dime like mad! Probably rookie scoring title, cause he’s gonna get minutes with the bums the Kings have at the 1. Wouldn’t be surprised if the ROTY is in his future. Griffin is going into the NBA Black HOLE of Clipperville. That place converts first rounders into busts. You gotta respect the game this kid has. If they double team, he’ll get dimes aplenty. All star rookie squad candidate. Reke the Freek!
July 30th, 2009 at 3:55 am
Seven Duece says:
Honestly, I still don’t see him as a pg. Yeah, he can score. But so can 4 other guys on that team. A combo guard on that team? Let the trades begin!
July 30th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
Leo says:
The Kings are putting together a real exciting team. Can’t wait until these young guys get some experience and really start making a run in the playoffs.
August 1st, 2009 at 4:44 pm
G. Petrie says:
Rubio was all hype, gotta give the Kings props for having the balls to go against what everybody thought was the slam dunk pick in Rubio.
Though jury is still out till Rubio finally comes to the NBA, I think it’s pretty fair to say the Kings were far from crazy in pickin Reke.