Kings Excited About Evans
June 25, 2009 by Andrew Nicholson
Outside a celebratory Sacramento Kings “War Room,” President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie had the following to say about the team’s choice of guard Tyreke Evans with the 4th overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft:
“We think he’s a great, great prospect and has a chance to develop into a real star. He was the best freshman in the country this year. He led his team to 27 straight wins as a point guard. He has great potential at the defensive end because of his length and his physical presence out there. I think another great thing about this is from the time we interviewed him onto the workouts, he always was very consistent in his desire to come to Sacramento and that was really his number one choice as well. I think the fans are just going to love watching this kid play and develop and he’ll be a multi-position player, I think, as things go along, so we’re really excited about it.”
Pictures - Tyreke Evans at Madison Square Garden
i think we would have enjoyed rubio more
This is a garbage pick. Rubio was available, made it clear he wanted to come here, and would bring people to the arena. Evans isn't even going to play. Why would the Kings need to get another shooting guard? He's gonna sit on the bench behind Martin and Garcia. He'll never get a chance. They pissed away their pick and will have another bad season. The Kings don't need a scorer, they need someone who can pass and can play defense, which was Rubio. Normally I like their draft picks, and I trust Petrie's decisions, but I'm pretty upset about this.
i was hoping to have rubio on the roster. it would have been exciting to see him wearing a kings jersey. just like jason williams, before.
this is a garbage pick…grrrr,…i dont understand…why did we trade away salmons…our pick is the same thing as him….nba pg is diff from a college pg…and he was converted….i wish the maloofs would just pack the bags and move the damn team….i'm so pissed
This guy led Memphis to 27 straight wins, as a PG. He is big, strong, and can keep up with the smaller more "traditional" PGs. He will play a lot of backup PG and also has the ability to play 2 other positions. While I did like Rubio, I don't think he had an NBA body, and does not play a ton of defense, more like the Beno defense. Martin is not a point guard, Francisco is a 2/3 that can play the 1. Evans brings a toughness that Rubio just does not have and can not learn. Great pick, and looks good for the future.
The more video I saw of Rubio, the less he reminded me of J-Will. Rubio lacks the speed and quickness Williams had, but may be a better decision maker. Hard to really compare since he was playing in the Spanish league, and its hard to guage his competition and teammates.
I was upset at first, I really wanted rubio and he was available! but Evans was my second choice, I think he's got a lot of potential. I mean we traded finesse for some aggressiveness which is a good trade off especially with noch and JT on the front court and they just picked caspi who is a beast, so I kinda like the direction they r going. So yeah i sympathize with those that wanted rubio, because I did as well, but I think Evans will be great, and everyone should at least give him a chance.
This is a great pick!!!! Why would you want Rubio's headache of contract. So he played in the Olympics!!! So how he'd do against the best!!! Tyreke has size, length, defensive skills, and most important look "DESIRE". In couple of months you'll see benching Beno and the team will be under his command!!!!! I'm here to say "R O O K I E OF THE Y E A R"!!!!!!!!!!
THIS GUY IS THE SAME TYPE OF PLAYER WE HAD IN SALMONSS….JUST DONT MAKE SENSE….HE AVG ALMOST 20PPG …EVANS AINT A PG… GO AWAY MALOOFS
im selling my season tickets. thats it. ive had it. WTF happened to RUBIO?????
OK - anyone with an informed comment want to talk? Let me see an 18 year old 6'2", 185 lbs with a so so shot, vs. a 19 year old 6'5", 220 lbs point guard that competed in one of the best conferences in the USA. I do not understand the hype on Rubio. How many games has anyone watch on him that has made a comment in this room? NBA is a business and you may have 'wanted' Rubio - you other than an emotional tie for whatever reason you may have, there is nothing to say this kid will do anything else but fail. Name me good NBA point guards that came from Euro leagues. thought so.
this aint a petrie pick…are u serious?? this is the maloofs steppin in-between again……u guys gone yet????i aint sayin rubio…..but how bout a P-O-I-N-T G-U-A-R-D
and another thing Petrie just BS when he said that fans will come to watch this guy. No offense but i guarantee that this guy Evans will spend 90% of next few seasons in a suit, tie, while Rubio doing his thing to become the next capturing MVPS, All Star Appearance. Guarantee!!!!!!!
To digruntled - please see the difference between a small forward (Salmons) and a point guard (Tyreke).
To lil - if you want to enjoy something more vs winning, change the game you want to enjoy. Tennis is probably a good game for you.
prowses5821 - thought you said shooting guard vs. point guard. Research please. Look at the workouts that is on the kings blog, and you will realize that when he worked out with Mills, Curry, Evens, etc (6 total point guards) at the Kings facility. That is what made the decision.
Watch some highlights of this guy shoot before you bash him. Evans is 6'5 220 ( Same size as Oscar Robertson btw) compared to Ricky Rubio (6'4 185). Solid pick imo.
i feel ya mike everyone just do the research then come back and even if ya didnt look at the two one plays point and he is 6'5 the other plays point and is like 6'2 evan will be able to get to the rack and will bully most point guards like a billups type player or cassell now if rubio plays like nash ok but tell me something who has more rings ????????????????????????……. enough said……… evans will do just fine………..even tho curry wouldnt have been bad either ….. a real go to guy to take off stress of k Mart
tyrek IS NOT A pg……he is a shooter JUST LIKE SALMONS IS…. salmons got to the rack also…….evans will avg prolly NO MORE then 3 ast /game……mark my words…….
about mikes comment on if anyone saw rubio play well did you watch the 2008 olympics? he played against the top nba players kobe, lebron, wade just to name a few, and he was getting past all of them even getting to the basket, so if he can play very good against all the stars in the nba think about how he would of played at kings, and the main part is that he is fun to watch, i mean wining is good but playing with style is even better, minesotta got very lucky, tyreke evans will probably be good but he has no style hes just tuff, wich is boring
AND one more thing i hope Maloofs, Petrie, and and the whole kings organization reads this. You guys are cheap!!!!!
i agree.. plus who knows, maybe this kid will play pointguard. i hope.
The kings got jeff pendergrph I really like the direction the kings r going in, They are obviously tryin to add some size and bulk and aggressiveness that we need. To all the haters, if your a kings fan, your a fan, u dont give up cuz u didnt get the pick u want. I wanted rubio too but u gotta be positive about what we got.
I hope you Tyreke haters eat your words!!!! Everybody thinks Rubio is the next Pistol Pete, I do think so!!!! We had someone named Jason Williams who had flash!! What happened to him??? Yeah, he brought excitement after a couple of seasons then gone. J Will may have a ring but did he earn it??? Rubio is just that!!! All Flash and no game!!!! Tyreke will make you a believer!!! Here's my comparison - CLYDE THE GLIDE!!!!!
You're right!!! The only good point guard from Euro is Tony Parker. How long did it take him to become one oh wait he has Tim Duncan!!! You take Tim Duncan away and he's just average!!!! Go Tyreke Go!!!!!
i AM VERY EXCITED UNLIKE THE UNINFORMED DISGRUNTLED WHO MUST HAVE A BAD INTERNET CONNECTION TO ACTUALLY LIKE RUBIO WHO ONLY LOOKS GOOD AGAINST THE HORRIBLE EUROPEAN COMPETITION HE IS SLOW AND WILL NEVER BE THE PLAYER SOME PEOPLE THINK. IN PETRIE I TRUST
they traded pendergrph to portland for sergio garcia and the 38 th pick. so will see who we get.
PETRIE KNOWS BEST JUST LOOK AT HIS TRACK RECORD OTHER THAN QUINCY. RUBIO IS WAYS TO SLOW TO EXCEL IN THE NBA. EVANS IS MORE READY TO PLAY NOW. JUST NOT SURE THAT HE CAN RUN THE POINT BUT NEITHER CAN BENO
WILL YOU MOVE BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT A REAL FAN FARE WEATHER FANS SHOULD GO AWAY. WE NEED REAL FANS
jason williams is what brought mike bibby to sacramento .Sacramento needs flash …….
should of watched him play in 2008 olympics gainst usa team he outplayed all the nba starts like lebron, jason kid, wade, he even got to the rim through all their defense
Everyone needs to get off Rubio's nutts. yea he can pass , but i doesn't play defense cant really score and is really slow. Evans may not fill the seats because of the hype but is a 10 times better player the rubio will ever bee. Im surprised that Evans didn't go 3 rd so acutally we are lucky…
Did you actually watch the olympics his team went away from him to use other point gaurds he did drive past Jason kidd but how hard is that. GO EVANS GO KINGS
The organization needs to stand up to david stern , 2002 game 6 was fixed for the lakers to win , there would be a different team then we have now , if we would have won the title , as the kings were going to , but david stern wanted money . The maloofs said they stand with david stern after the aligations came out in 2007 about the fix , and i lost respect for the maloofs for saying that . Also disapointed in the trades the kings have made , that sent stars away , inexchange for a less then ordinary team . Nothing to be excited about ……….
i´m sorry for the Kings……how can you let pass Rubio ???????????? he would have been the perfect piece to put that sacramento team to run and win again, like in the old times……anyway man….to all the people thinkin´ he´s hype…a blufff….just keep on tuned for the next season cuz somebody its gonna be surprised ( STILL¡¡¡¡)Evans might be a good player, but ricky is the real playmaker of the draft, and already has proved that can play with the best….
Everyone that keeps saying hes a shooting guard is dumb. he a point guard
HAS ANYONE EVER SEEN EVANS PASS THE BALL TO ANYONE NOT ME
John brockman…….NOT impressed. Sergio Is terrible. @ years in the nba Points AVG is 4.5 a game
hes smaller than rubio hes 6'3 176 lbs I was tryin to stay positive actually a little excited about pendegraph then u go and curb stomp me petrie, THANKS!
I know they need to do a lil research he was a shooting guard until in last season the coach made him a PG then they had a 27 game winning streak. I am excited, I mean we got a guy that actually wanted to come play for sac.
NO TEAM NEEDED A PG MORE THAN THE KINGS WHY DIDNT WE GET ONE ? EVANS IS JUST A ANOTHER GERALD WALLACE TYPE NOT WHAT THE KINGS NEEDED OR THE FANS WANTED BAD JOB GEOFF
WOW WOW WOW…I can't believe the Kings took Evans. Evans is a big PG for the NCAA, but in the NBA his size wont be such a advantage. Evans isn't a real PG and really can't shoot that well. The biggest problem I have with Evans is his lack of HEART. Evans doesn't play with that much Heart or effort..that's a problem you can't fix as a coach. They either got heart or they don't.I agree he is strong, but he's not a quick PG or the great passer we needed. We should of taken Steph Curry hands down…listen to what Dicky V had to say about Curry the whole draft. We know Steph was the best scorer in the draft, but he was also the best passer. I think Steph is great leader as well. The kid will be a star. I'm the new biggest fan of the GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS!!!!! G-STATE BABY. The Kings will be sorry they ever passed up Steph Curry….wtf Kings….ugh!!!! Go warriors
Make that 2 fans Downer12! Kings can't help themselves!
with evans kings wont even makes 25 wins coming season….
100 % right
wat world u live in
Evans??? Versatility my ***!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "…..can play multiple positions …" How about draft a player than can do one thing really well? A PG!!!!
I hope Evans saves your job petrie!
I heard a lot of comments on the wires that the Maloofs were all about Rubio, not Evans. It seemed like the coaching staff/petrie loved evans.
YOU ARE MISINFORMED RICKY RUBIO IS NO WHERE NEAR PISTOL PETE. PETE MARAVICH WAS ONE OF THE GREATEST COLLEGE/NBA PLAYERS EVER. HE AVERAGED LIKE 40 POINTS IN COLLEGE while rubio has a weak jumper. just cuz youve seen some clips from rubio on youtube and from the olympics? can't compare him to one of the best ALL AROUND players EVER when he hasn't stepped foot in the nba.
its okay i understand the strategy. this was a weak draft. we got a decent combo guard. now we just tank another season and get the stunner john wall who is a true point guard with mad game
This is a stupid pick. Ty-reek is not a point guard and he will not make the Kings better. He averaged almost as many turnover as assists. He simply looks to shoot first. His jump shot looks horrible and he will not be able to rely on his physical strength in the NBA like he did in college. He man handled the kids in his college division because Memphis is in one of the weakest conferences in the nation. The only reason he was picked is because the Kings were worried about Rubios contract situation. Bottom line, this was a gutless pick. It was safe but it will not improve the team much.
tony parker
Its the same discussion every year. Petrie makes a pick that the fans don't like and everybody complains, but most of the time Petrie makes the right pick. Have faith in the drafting abilities of this team, its the one thing they have consistently done right. I don't know if you remember John Wallace, if you don't he was the guy that the fans wanted Petrie to pick the year he drafted Peja. Just give it time, obviously Petrie sees something in Evans that others don't.
Hey Luke, You don't like the picks? You getting rid of your season tickets? I'll take them. While you are sitting home watching the 11 o'clock sports recaps, I will be celebrating another KINGS victory. See yaaaa!
i see people trying to say just because callipari made evans a pg, makes evans a pg. all that changed when he changed positions is he had the ball in his hands 24/7 instead of playing off the ball. with the ball in his hands he really didn't pass a lot and he did he averaged 3 assist and a whopping 4 in the tourney and just as many turnovers. he's got great driving ability and size, but we needed a pg. that fact is, evans is the pick and they're going to try their best to make him one since they used the 4th pick on him…i am a big brandon jennings supporter and am disappointed they didn't give him a better look, but it would have been so much easier to get over my disappointed had flynn been the pick. moreover, i could gotten over it had curry or rubio been the pick because the common ground they shared was that they were POINT GUARDs…the one thing this team needed. instead we get a big combo guard who is best with the ball in his hands..evans is a younger, with more potential but not as good all-around, john salmons. just because salmons was a sf/sg doesn't make the type of player both evans and salmons are. salmons played with the ball in his hands a lot making pg decisions. i actually thought salmons was a solid player, but we weren't going anywhere with him, so in the long run we saw how the salmons experiment worked out..anyway, evans is the pick and they're going to their best to turn him into a real pg..i'm not going to hold my breath. i think the other two pick were solid although i like pendergraph more than brockman. my heart's been with sacramento since j-will days, but the decision making has had lower valleys than it's had peaks. it also seems like they don't take into consideration what the fans think. adelman, webber(retire his jersey…tasteless way to try and sell ticktets when you traded him in the first place) has turned my interest into the warriors and bucks which is hard because i like martin, cisco, hawes, nocioni, etc..its just poor decision making has a way of disheartening you as a fan.
The Kings have Martin, who is on of the best scorers in the league, and Cisco, who spreads defenses with his shooting ability, and can play point forward. not to mention Mccants, Jackson, even Beno..My mind is going through loops atm..Kings needed a real pg, not a converted shooting guard who played one college season of pg, if you even want to call the way he played a pg
trade thompson and a future pick for jennings. move greene to PF or use idiogu. move evans to his real position, sg, and martin to 3. jennings - evans - martin - greene/idiogu - hawes and the deep bench : cisco, beno, jackson,mccants, casspi, and brockman .in a couple years with the right mentoring, that's a potent team, trail blazers-like
agree….hopefully Evans will develop into a more complete PG, and if it doesn't work out….come on lottery balls…..John Wall in 2010!!!!
agree….Curry, Flynn, Mills, Douglas, Calathes….ESPN said that Tyreke was a man amongst boys in that workout…
How did they pass Rubio, HE IS A GAME CHANGER. Evans is just an athlete guy and cant make plays. This year will be another -20 wins. Petrie and Westphal chose this guy just because of the Workout.
uh informed comment he played in conference usa, that is the worst conference in the ncaa, and another thing he's not a point guard!!!!! look it up he averaged 3 ast and 3 turnovers per game, while he took 18 shot a game do the math. oh and by the way 6' 4" 185 that is the same hight and weight steve nash came in at and he isnt any good right?!?!
Congratulations to the Kings for making some solid picks with Evans, Casspi, and Brockman. Any players the Kings get from the Draft will help the team. Do Point Gaurds need to dominate the game all the time? Kobi Bryant, SG, dished out the ball to many players and the Lakers are 2009 NBA Champions. Derek Fisher, a PG, was there for defense and making those pop up tres.
The Kings did get another PG from Portland in the trade for the 31 pick, Rodriguez. He fits the more traditional point guard. Yes, Curry is arguably the best shooter, but Evans can get into the Lane. I believe the Kings thought Evans was kind of a cross between Curry and Rubio. Rubio is a great ball handler, but needs to work on shooting. Rodríguez is Spanish. I guess we did get a Spanish Point Guard after all.
Before giving up on the Kings we should just be patient and see what happens. Maybe we can get a few Veteran Players from other teams. We got a new Coach, Westphal, good draft picks and one trade player. Not too shabby. Go Kings!
Congratulations to the Kings for making some solid picks with Evans, Casspi, and Brockman. Any players the Kings get from the Draft will help the team. The Kings did get another PG from Portland in the trade for the 31 pick, Rodriguez. He fits the more traditional point guard. Yes, Curry is arguably the best shooter, but Evans can get into the Lane. I believe the Kings thought Evans was kind of a cross between Curry and Rubio. Rubio is a great ball handler, but needs to work on shooting. Rodríguez is Spanish. I guess we did get a Spanish Point Guard after all.
Before giving up on the Kings we should just be patient and see what happens. Maybe we can get a few Veteran Players from other teams. We got a new Coach, Westphal, good draft picks and one trade player. Not too shabby. Go Kings!
Didn't Salmons help the Bulls to the PLAYOFFS?
ITS NOT TOO LATE, TRADE EVANS TO RUBIO!!
Maaaan, me and my wife were so excited buying season tickets this year if the Kings pick Rubio. Oh well….( soo much for exitement ),……were just gonna watch it on tv.
I am really pissed that the Kings didnt pick Rubio. Me,my wife and my family were really really planning to buy six season tickets so we could watch Rubio play for the KIngs. Dont worry, we are still a kings fan despite the fact the Kings just lost SIX!! ….SIX!!!.. season seats this year!!!!!
How about this?!! Trade Beno,Jackson and McCants over to Minnesota and get Rubio.
Rubio is a player that has alot of growing to do for the nba game. Very young & pysically needs to grow. You or I don't have the knowledge to judge the players. Petrie and others do, it's there job, not ours. I like the pick because he's more nba ready. All the physical tools are there. He'll be a good D-player, long arms, good size, rebounds well and can play the 1, 2, or 3 position.
it's not about who you'd enjoy more. It's about who's the better player. Evens is the more complete and nba ready player.
Man are you living in a dream world. Rubio in the nba is so over his head.
Nash has never been 6' 4"
We need substance not flash. There's a reason they got rid of Williams. Little substance!
Quit living in the past. It's over and done! Get over it!! Sound like a Niner fan.
THANK YOU!
Man..it is embarrassing realizing my Kings have so many nut riding, un-informed fans…damn. Rubio is the most overhyped, overrated player since damn Toni Kukoc, LOL Everyone of these fools made up their minds before the draft, before any workouts, and never changed. Luckily we have scouts, a GM and coach who actually want to SEE something other than a few you tube highlights. Rubio can't shoot, turns the ball over, is slow and on top of all that, has a contract issue AND SUCKED in the 1 workout he did have with the Kings! All these haters are a JOKE! Do we have short memories or what? J-Will was fun..but we didn't become a real deal team until we traded him for the less flashy, more consistent Mike Bibby!
tyreke evans…long arms
alright yall look at this. enough of ricky. Evan is ok. But trust me people Stephen Curry is the guy we should have drafted it. in the next 5 to 10 years, Stephen Curry will be the best player of this year draft. He is the guy that people over look his talent. He is a playmake and can handle the ball and pass the ball with excellent vision.
sactoslim87 Hows about giving our front office and the Maloof's credit for dodging the Rubio drama and going with the smarter pick all along in Evans, this kid is proven by NCAA standards and is ready to make the jump to the NBA as Rose did the year before. Evans will bring an uptempo style at the point gaurd position and more important, can create his own shot.This kid is a winner, good pick, also for the record since the Maloofs bought the kings this franchise although down now, has enjoied sucess for most of the time. You sound like a fairweather fan and someone who is never going to be happy. Losing our most sucessful coach in franchise history is not a speedbump. After some fumbling we now have a coach in Westphal who has a resume and I think will put us back on the road to being a contender in the Western confrence. We have not played even one game this season but I feel better about the direction of the team right now than I have in a while, lets get behind our Kings, this is a great basketball city, win or lose we should be honored to have an NBA franchise in our city, lets represent, GO KINGS !!!!!!!!
rubio is goin back to europe so everybody can just calm them selves for all the hype. while rubio is "gaining experience" against all of the european teams, tyreke evans will be playing against the best in the world every night. so we will see who's better after all that
I've been looking at this kid(tyreke) for years and if you do a background check you will see the potenial he has. He is a dominet ball player he is not a point guard or two guard he's just a versitle baller! His heart is in the game at all times, I know he will show up when needed, he has never failed to get the job done. He wouldn't have been the #4 pick if his stats didn't match his game. Watch the season and you will see it wasn't a MISTAKE!!!
tyreke evans is guna win roy guranteed mark my words! Plus Omri is a steal at #23.We have a great future!