Amick: Tyreke Evans Takes Aim at Regaining His Jump Shot

[KF10]

The second article of Amick. This is an EXCELLENT read about Evans improved jumper (and his jumper back in HS). I recommend everyone to READ it:

http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/08/31/tyre ... jump-shot/

Again, an EXCELLENT read!

[KF10]

I like Evans' brothers pushing him to regain back his jumper back:

"You see this Reke?" (referring to the video) the oldest brother, Doc, rhetorically asks. "You had it going (back then). You should watch these (movies) every night before you go to bed."

Probably the most overlooked aspect of Evans was his dominant jumper back in HS.

Yet during that senior season at American Christian, Evans hit 128 of 315 three-pointers in 31 games while averaging 4.1 conversions and an astounding 10.1 attempts per game.

"His three-ball, when I (had) him, was his best weapon," Bergeron said. "He didn't care about the (three-point) line neither. Some of them were close, some of them were far. The distance was meaningless to him."

Most people simply overlooked this particular fact. I remember reading an article on Evans' three point shot. Evans never shot lower than 40.5% on his threes in his entire HS career. If I remember correctly, his highest 3PT % peaked around 48% with insane volume.

Too bad Calipari killed Evans' confidence of his jumper due to the dribble-drive offense that Memphis ran.

His brothers blame John Calipari. As they see it, the then-Memphis coach scared the confidence right out of Evans, gnawing on his ear every time the he dared to shoot a jumper instead of blowing by the line of helpless defenders. The style worked just fine for the Tigers, who went 33-4 and lost to Missouri in the third round of the NCAA Championships in Evans' one season.

Now, however, those closest to Evans say it's working against him.

"I don't blame anybody, but I think coach Cal looked at is like, 'Hey, you know what? This kid can get to the basket any time he wants, so let's play him to his strength," said Tony Bergeron, Evans' coach at the Aston, Pa. high school. "(But) I used to have a fit watching his Memphis games. I'd be screaming at the TV, saying 'Shoot!'"

Which is precisely what Bergeron shouted during Evans' prep years, too.

"His brother Doc was the one who would go in, work on that arc and get shots up with him," Bergeron said. "Doc gets a ton of credit. ... And then there was me, who loves the three-ball. I used to destroy 'Reke for not shooting. I'm yelling, 'Shoot the three, shoot the three!' Then he'd start hitting it. And then all of a sudden it clicked during his junior year. Everyone would start bellying up, and he would go right by people. The game became very easy."

I think it is important to keep this in mind. Evans was a great shooter. It was one of his primary offensive weapon in HS. This gives hope for both the fans and the Kings to expect Evans to gradually improve as a shooter in the NBA for the next couple of years.

If you look at Evans' shooting % at 16-23 feet last year for the months; November and December:

November: 42.2% (While attempting approx. 4 shots per game at this particular area)
December: 43.0% (While attempting approx. 4 shots per game at this particular area)

That's essentially Deron Williams and Brandon Roy-territory in terms of %s. This absolutely gives us hope and some sort of indication that Evans will improve as a shooter.

Even if Evans topped out as a ~35% three point shooter in the NBA, that is more than enough to make him a double threat for his defenders. They will not give Evans the open look. This means Evans will get to the basket easier and more effectively.

For this year, I want to see considerable improvements of his jumper. What I mean by that is I want to safely say: "Yep. Evans is GOING to be a good shooter." I want that certainty as a fan. After reading and hearing how much Evans is putting work in his jumper in this offseason, I know he will deliver and show markings as a good shooter in the NBA.

*Here is Evans pulling up behind the arc like it is nothing. Making jumpers left and right. Step-backs. Pull up in transition. This is when Evans was a great shooter in HS*:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDAT8yMr2b4[/youtube]

[ADoaN17]

Swoosh on every three. He looked so confident.

[Geoff35]

I fully expect him to have a much improved jumper this season, really can't wait. You can tell he's puttin in the work. Hopefully lots of 1 on 1 time with the shooting coaches since USA didn't pan out.