Jazz Spotlight, Week 2: Jeremy Evans

[Xsy]

Alright, week two!

I'm going a little younger this week with a classic KOC gem. Though he wasn't on most 2010 draft radars, the Utah Jazz selected Jeremy Evans with 25th pick of the 2nd round. He quickly became a fan favorite.



Jeremy Evans played 49 games for the Jazz this season, for about 9 minutes per game. He's not the best defender, most notably for his size-- but what he lacks in size, he makes up in athleticism. The kid can jump out of the court three times before most other NBA players even leave the ground. He's also a very efficient player, scoring 66% from the field and posting up a per of 18.90.

The biggest question mark about this kid is what he can improve, and what he can become. He's still young, and he will get bigger. He's an explosive dunker, who with a little extra power, can become very dangerous when close to the basket. I've got high hopes for Jeremy Evans. Seems like a guy who will be a solid backup forward for years to come.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzh0iLBsWus[/youtube]

So let's talk, RealGM. What do you think Evans has in store for this franchise?

[carrottop12]

Hopefully he can be the go to energy bench guy who comes in and gets us 8/5 in 20 minutes at the SF/PF spot.

[Soul Patch]

His jumping ability reminds me of Rodman a lil bit. If he could turn in to a very poor man's Rodman I'd kiss O'Connor on the lips.

[carrottop12]

He reminds me a lot of stromile swift athletically.

[qman]

Evans still has unrealized potential. But it doesn't look likely that he is going to be able to put on enough weight so he needs to learn how to play on the perimeter more. But it could happen.

[jazzfan1971]

He's gotta bulk up to be a factor. He's got decent touch on his shot, so I can see him in something of a stretch 4 role off the bench. But, until he can hold his ground on defense he's not going to see much more than garbage minutes.

At the 4 and 5 we have

Jefferson
Favors
Millsap
Kanter
Okur?
AK?

in front of Evans. And no, I don't think he's going to see much run at the SF. If Okur is finished, we dont' retain AK, and we trade off one of the other 4 that still leaves Evans as the 4th big. A spot I think he's suited well for.

That's a lot of ifs.

Oh, don't forget Tomic. I know I did. He might be above Evans if he ever comes over as well.

Evans is a nice kid, but, if he doesn't add 20lbs in the offseason I think his future as a Jazz man is poor. He'll more likely see success playing for Portland.

[carrottop12]

Tomic isn't ever coming over.

Considering how long the jazz have kept Ronnie price around simply for his energy, I wouldn't count out the jazz keeping Evans for quite a while.

[HolyToledo]

He can be a quality bench player but no more than that! I dont expect much from him, but Im always happy to see that hes working hard so hopefully he will surprise me with improvement each and every year.

[Jazz_Man_86]

Evans a Joker and crowd Favor.

And we all love him. I doubt there is any jazz fan who wants Evans leave the team or something about that.
But let be honest he will always be a bench\role player. Is he will be loyal to Utah in that role?

[countrybama24]

I read somewhere (maybe SLC dunk?) that he's rocking a 7 '6 wingspan. We should at least hold onto this kid for awhile to see if he could become a good wing stopper.

[StocktonShorts]

Ceiling: Hakim Warrick?

[red4hf]

Ceiling: Hakim Warrick?

I think that's about right, unless he develops a consistent outside shot and greatly improves his ball-handling skills......

[retiredcoach]

Well, he could develop an outside shot, improve his ball handling and passing skills, gain some weight and learn how to not get the crap beat out of him in the post.

Or he could just start using steroids. Same result.

[Xsy]

Jeremy Evan's the only Jazz man playing in the Vegas Impact league.

I'm only an hour and a half out of Vegas, I should check it out for ol' Jeremy.

[3960HOOD]

I just wonder about a guy with his size and athleticism growing up was never able to refine or learn how to dribble or shoot. If he did that growing up he would be a terror as a 3 man in this league.

[retiredcoach]

When kids like Evans start playing basketball they almost always become the tallest kid on the team, even on AAU teams, so they wind up playing around the rim.

That's true of almost all tall kids, especially the ones that can jump. They don't develop ball handling or outside shooting skills because they never have to to score and rebound. It's later in college or the Pro's that they can no longer dominate around the rim.

Hayward was lucky in that he played PG early in his AAU days. He's preparing to play PG, SG and SF in his skills development this summer. It should be interesting to see the difference in his game.