Tyreke Evans. Is he in the doghouse?

[DeathLineup]

Evans was a prime candidate for the Sixth Man of the Year award last season. And now he is treated like he is just another bench player in Indiana. Sabonis is the sixth man. Joseph is the seventh man. Then it’s Evans as the eight man.

What the hell McMillan?

Evans has been pitiful this year. Evans has been outrageously misused.

Evans’ stats: https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/e/evansty01.html

[Ballerhogger]

his mountain beard has taken its toll.... I barely recognize him last night, he just hasn't gotten going at all and hes hasn't had chance? He must not be doing well in practice. .

[CoachD]

I said this in the summer.... Indy was the wrong fit for Evans. He should have stayed in Memphis, or go to a team that needed a primary facilitator like Orlando or Phx

[I_Like_Dirt]

Evans was a prime candidate for Sixth Man of the Year just last season. And now he is treated like he is just another bench player. Sabonis is the sixth man. Joseph is the seventh man. Then it’s Evans as the eight man.

What the hell McMillan?

Evans has been pitiful this year. Evans has been outrageously misused.

Evans’ stats: https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/e/evansty01.html

Evans is okay but he played a role for a rather terrible team in Memphis last season that he was never going to be able to play on a team that had aspirations of winning more games than it lost. He wouldn't have even played that role in Memphis last season had
Conley stayed healthy. Evans is getting ~20 mpg which is still pretty decent for any bench player and his production is right in line with what his production has basically always been with the exception of last season on a sinking Grizzlies team. There is loads of evidence of the kind of player Evans is. This idea that he had magically transformed last season rather than simply thrived in a different role for a bad team made absolutely no sense. He's still a good player, just not a star. And it's McMillan's job to do what's best for the Pacers rather than what's best for Evans stat sheet.

[The_Hater]

Evans was a prime candidate for Sixth Man of the Year just last season. And now he is treated like he is just another bench player. Sabonis is the sixth man. Joseph is the seventh man. Then it’s Evans as the eight man.

What the hell McMillan?

Evans has been pitiful this year. Evans has been outrageously misused.

Evans’ stats: https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/e/evansty01.html

Evans is okay but he played a role for a rather terrible team in Memphis last season that he was never going to be able to play on a team that had aspirations of winning more games than it lost. He wouldn't have even played that role in Memphis last season had
Conley stayed healthy. Evans is getting ~20 mpg which is still pretty decent for any bench player and his production is right in line with what his production has basically always been with the exception of last season on a sinking Grizzlies team. There is loads of evidence of the kind of player Evans is. This idea that he had magically transformed last season rather than simply thrived in a different role for a bad team made absolutely no sense. He's still a good player, just not a star. And it's McMillan's job to do what's best for the Pacers rather than what's best for Evans stat sheet.

I’m not sure that there’s loads of evidence because the much improved 3 point shooting and efficiency is a recent development. He was a very efficient all-around player last season despite how bad the Memphis talent was and it’s not his fault he played on a lot of bad teams. Sometimes thst just happens to certain guys.

Anyways, I can see a solid argument for Evans deserving more playing time but I also see the obstacles, the team’s top player playing his best position being the most obvious. I thought he might cut into Bogdanovic’s minutes more but Bog’s floor spacing is pretty important when the teams doesn’t have an abundance of high volume 3 point shooters. I thought Indy might be a poor fit for him and it’s turning out that way.

[Eskobar13]

I just think McMillan sees him as being better staggered with Oladipo, just like he also doesn't want to play Sabonis and Turner at the same time.

D. Collison also had a great last season, so I guess it's understandable that this is the way they're playing for now. Wouldn't be surprised Collison gets a bump down in minutes and Evans a bump up in the future.

Some Pacers fans should be able to shed further light on this though.

[alessandrux]

He has had a disciplinary incident with the team. (The only thing I could find on the fly: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1760357 ).

I think he will do better if the air is cleared, but it still has to be seen how good he is as a fit.

[I_Like_Dirt]

I’m not sure that there’s loads of evidence because the much improved 3 point shooting and efficiency is a recent development. He was a very efficient all-around player last season despite how bad the Memphis talent was and it’s not his fault he played on a lot of bad teams. Sometimes thst just happens to certain guys.

Anyways, I can see a solid argument for Evans deserving more playing time but I also see the obstacles, the team’s top player playing his best position being the most obvious. I thought he might cut into Bogdanovic’s minutes more but Bog’s floor spacing is pretty important when the teams doesn’t have an abundance of high volume 3 point shooters. I thought Indy might be a poor fit for him and it’s turning out that way.

It isn't that he's bad, to play the role he played in Memphis last season for a good team you have to be really good. Oladipo has that role in Indiana and he's simply better at it. Evans had a .561 TS% last season. Not bad but not amazing and not totally out of line with his previous seasons to the point a person should expect a dramatically new normal.

[IMF]

Thought he looked better before his suspension. He's had some nice moments but has been very inconsistent. He isn't the only one.

Pacers are a team with too many guys who are just "guys" right now and not enough true impact players. Fans love to harp on Turner but even though he has underwhelmed, he has a role to play. His shot blocking and floor spacing as a big are very valuable.

Veterans who overachieved last year such as Collison and Thad Young have regressed to the mean. Pacers need to trade some of their spare parts for an impact player who can at least match the contributions of what Sabonis brings (easily our second best player right now). As long as the Wiz are falling apart, I'd love to make a play for Otto Porter with our myriad of expiring contracts. Start the big lineup with Sabonis and Turner and surround them with better/quicker defenders (replace Collison/Bogie with Joseph/Porter) This would also open up a more clearly defined role for a guy like Tyreke off the bench to maximise his impact. The team needs to be a little more top heavy talent wise.

[CoachD]

Thought he looked better before his suspension. He's had some nice moments but has been very inconsistent. He isn't the only one.

Pacers are a team with too many guys who are just "guys" right now and not enough true impact players. Fans love to harp on Turner but even though he has underwhelmed, he has a role to play. His shot blocking and floor spacing as a big are very valuable.

Veterans who overachieved last year such as Collison and Thad Young have regressed to the mean. Pacers need to trade some of their spare parts for an impact player who can at least match the contributions of what Sabonis brings (easily our second best player right now). As long as the Wiz are falling apart, I'd love to make a play for Otto Porter with our myriad of expiring contracts. Start the big lineup with Sabonis and Turner and surround them with better/quicker defenders (replace Collison/Bogie with Joseph/Porter) This would also open up a more clearly defined role for a guy like Tyreke off the bench to maximise his impact. The team needs to be a little more top heavy talent wise.

I'm curious who you'd qualify as "just a guy" on Indy?

I actually think most NBA teams are largely comprised of "just guys" who fill out the rosters, and the truly special talents are scarce

[Pacers_Freak]

I just think McMillan sees him as being better staggered with Oladipo, just like he also doesn't want to play Sabonis and Turner at the same time.

D. Collison also had a great last season, so I guess it's understandable that this is the way they're playing for now. Wouldn't be surprised Collison gets a bump down in minutes and Evans a bump up in the future.

Some Pacers fans should be able to shed further light on this though.

Couldn’t have said it any better myself.

[Adam Stern]

A simple case of regression to the mean.

[IMF]

Thought he looked better before his suspension. He's had some nice moments but has been very inconsistent. He isn't the only one.

Pacers are a team with too many guys who are just "guys" right now and not enough true impact players. Fans love to harp on Turner but even though he has underwhelmed, he has a role to play. His shot blocking and floor spacing as a big are very valuable.

Veterans who overachieved last year such as Collison and Thad Young have regressed to the mean. Pacers need to trade some of their spare parts for an impact player who can at least match the contributions of what Sabonis brings (easily our second best player right now). As long as the Wiz are falling apart, I'd love to make a play for Otto Porter with our myriad of expiring contracts. Start the big lineup with Sabonis and Turner and surround them with better/quicker defenders (replace Collison/Bogie with Joseph/Porter) This would also open up a more clearly defined role for a guy like Tyreke off the bench to maximise his impact. The team needs to be a little more top heavy talent wise.

I'm curious who you'd qualify as "just a guy" on Indy?

I actually think most NBA teams are largely comprised of "just guys" who fill out the rosters, and the truly special talents are scarce

I think there are tiers between bench guys and super stars, yes.

Pacers have a lot of role player types. Guys like Collison, Thad Young, and Bogdanovich are all like quality bench guys on any good team, but we have too many guys on this level being asked to contribute as full time starters and I don't think they are quite up too it. All three guys have holes in their games. Thad Young is a stretch 4 who can't shoot, and Bogdanovich and Collison hurt the team defense too much given their large roles and minutes. The team has a lot of quality guys on a similar talent level and not enough minutes to go around anyway, which is why I'd like to see some of them flipped for a single player who can give you a little more. Flip a bunch of tier 4 guys for a single tier 3 guy, not a star perse, but a solid all around starting level player.

[dorkestra]

Nate McMillan is a good coach, but has always been a power tripper, so I wouldnt be surprised

[Pacers_Freak]

I think it is a little bit of the case of the chicken and the egg here. He needs more minutes to be more in the flow and play better.... he needs to play better to get more minutes.

[justinriley11]

just give it time lol

[2Mas]

Thought he looked better before his suspension. He's had some nice moments but has been very inconsistent. He isn't the only one.

Pacers are a team with too many guys who are just "guys" right now and not enough true impact players. Fans love to harp on Turner but even though he has underwhelmed, he has a role to play. His shot blocking and floor spacing as a big are very valuable.

Veterans who overachieved last year such as Collison and Thad Young have regressed to the mean. Pacers need to trade some of their spare parts for an impact player who can at least match the contributions of what Sabonis brings (easily our second best player right now). As long as the Wiz are falling apart, I'd love to make a play for Otto Porter with our myriad of expiring contracts. Start the big lineup with Sabonis and Turner and surround them with better/quicker defenders (replace Collison/Bogie with Joseph/Porter) This would also open up a more clearly defined role for a guy like Tyreke off the bench to maximise his impact. The team needs to be a little more top heavy talent wise.

I'd advise strongly against that. Paying 60% of your cap for Oladipo Porter & Turner? Doesn't sound like a recipe for a championship.

[8305]

If he is in the doghouse the secret is being pretty well kept. There was some kind of episode and it was addressed. Like everyone other than Vic and Sabonis he has been inconsistent. He had a good game against Boston and I think he got about 30 minutes that night. Then he stunk it up against Houston. Wasn't much better against Philly. Overall the people coming off the bench and getting more minutes (Joseph and Sabonis) have been better than him. He signed a show me contract and he frankly hasn't shown that much so far.

[LuDux1]

He's 2nd in FGA per 36 minutes and usage in general

[will]

'Reke needs the ball in his hands to be effective. That's it. Get him on the right squad and he will do what he does.