Fansided

Every NBA team’s most underrated player

By Tom West

Oct 31, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Brandon Knight (3), right, dribbles by Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum (3), left, during the fourth quarter of the game at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. The Suns won 101-90. Mandatory Credit: Godofredo Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 31, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Brandon Knight (3), right, dribbles by Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum (3), left, during the fourth quarter of the game at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. The Suns won 101-90. Mandatory Credit: Godofredo Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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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 /

New Orleans Pelicans: Tyreke Evans

As a player who’s currently injured after having surgery on his right knee, Tyreke Evans may not seem like the most timely choice as the Pelicans’ most underrated player. Since his Rookie of the Year season in 2009-10, with averages of 20.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game, he’s never replicated that kind of success and production. Which, for a shooting guard/small forward who’s almost lost among the NBA’s plethora of elite perimeter players, doesn’t exactly help someone who wants to be noticed.

However, even though he’s yet to set foot on the court this regular season, Evans did have a turnaround year in 2014-15. With 16.6 points (his highest mark in four years), and career-highs in rebounding (5.3) and assists (6.6) per game, Evans scored with his signature slashing style while setting up his teammates better than ever. Either as a primary ball handler from the perimeter or by kicking the ball out when attacking the basket, he racked up 521 assists to finish 9th in the NBA for the season.

Not bad for a wing player who is rarely mentioned.

The real asset than Evans has, though, is his driving ability. It’s something few players do so effectively, and last season he ranked 7th in the NBA in points off drives per game with 6.8, which placed him within one point of elite All-Stars such as Kyrie Irving, Russell Westbrook, and LeBron James (per NBA.com’s Player Tracking).

Evans can create better than most, and when he returns to the court this season, hopefully for the Pelicans he’ll be in good enough health to help them away from the depths of the Western Conference.

Next: Sacramento Kings

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