Fansided

NBA: 10 under the radar players to look out for in 2015-16

By Tom West

Dec 30, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans point guard Tyreke Evans (1) celebrates with teammate point guard Jrue Holiday (11) after hitting a shot to take the lead with 1.2 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter of a game against the Portland Trail Blazers at the New Orleans Arena. The Pelicans defeated the Trail Blazers 110-108. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans point guard Tyreke Evans (1) celebrates with teammate point guard Jrue Holiday (11) after hitting a shot to take the lead with 1.2 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter of a game against the Portland Trail Blazers at the New Orleans Arena. The Pelicans defeated the Trail Blazers 110-108. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 11
Next
Apr 15, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Tyreke Evans (1) passes the ball around San Antonio Spurs center Aron Baynes (16) during the second half at the Smoothie King Center.The Pelicans won 108-103 to earn the eight seed in the Western Conference Playoffs. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 15, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Tyreke Evans (1) passes the ball around San Antonio Spurs center Aron Baynes (16) during the second half at the Smoothie King Center.The Pelicans won 108-103 to earn the eight seed in the Western Conference Playoffs. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

Tyreke Evans

Since bursting onto the NBA scene as the 2009-10 Rookie of the Year, Tyreke Evans has never managed to reach the 20.1 points per game he did in his first season. He’s constantly been a dynamic playmaker who can slash to the paint with a sense of wizardry around the rim, but he’s never quite continued the hype train he started as a rookie.

After four years with the Sacramento Kings, Evans headed to New Orleans in 2013 along with Holiday, and managed to have somewhat a comeback year last season.

Evans played 34.1 minutes per game and averaged 16.6 points (the highest numbers he’s recorded in both those categories for three years), whilst shooting 44.7 percent from the floor and increasing his three point percentage by 8.3 to reach 30.4. It’s not his strong suit, but an improved three point shot is essential in a league that’s driven more and more by perimeter shooting.

His bounce-back performance didn’t stop there, though. Evans recorded a career best 7 assists per 36 minutes, which helped spark the Pelicans’ offense to score an entire 6.8 points more per 100 possessions when he was on the floor. He also added some range to his aggressive, drive based offense, as he made a career best 39.1 percent of his shots from 16 feet out.

Again, the shooting isn’t incredible, but the fact Evans improved so many areas of his game indicates we may be able to expect even more growth in the 2015-16 NBA season.

Next: Derrick Favors

Home/Charlotte Hornets