Credit: Kelley L Cox-US PRESSWIRE

Unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned.

Statistically, it’s difficult to find fault in Evans’ numbers, at least from an average standpoint. 16/4.6/4.5 to go along with 1+ steal and a half block a game? Even at times exhibiting lockdown defense on the opposition – yeah, those sure do look pretty, but it’s how Evans got those numbers that made them emptier then they appear. Although his offensive win share was up significantly from his injury filled second season, it still wasn’t at the level of his rookie campaign and his defensive win share was at a career low, only managing a .6 – a score nearly three times lower then his injury riddled campaign. A lower usage rate (although not by much) can be contributed to a dip in some of the numbers from previous years, like the drop in assists (thanks to Isaiah Thomas), but even with the drop in usage rate, the turnovers were up.

More then stats though, it’s the frustrating way that Evans played which drops his grade when compared to his stats. Simple things like getting back properly on defense when you’re not directly involved in the play or understanding your position and role on the floor. Although playing a schoolyard style of game can be forgiven during a rookie year, letting your style of game still replicate that in your third season simply isn’t acceptable.

If there’s any saving grace for Evans, it’s his age, and that must not be forgotten. Still only at 22, Evans was essentially a high school senior when he was drafted by the Kings at 20 years of age. A season at Memphis, where only a small portion was played at point guard wasn’t much on the court training and the lack of leadership in Sacramento didn’t help, nor did the absurd amounts of promotion, touting him as the next great thing.

Tools wise, few can challenge Evans. His combination of size and speed is a rare specialty, but it’s up to Evans to accept the mental challenge to be the player his skill set would allow for. Only he can make that happen. Numbers wise, Evans’ season was completely acceptable, but it’s hard to argue that much of those stats weren’t empty, devalued by mental mistakes and moments of poor hustle.

It was difficult to settle on a grade for Evans, mostly because he seemed to be in between a C- and a D+, but his improved play during the seasons final two months swayed it upwards.

Season Grade: C-

Sacramento Kings End Of Season Report Cards – Tyreke Evans - A Royal Pain - A Royal Pain - A Sacramento Kings Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

Credit: Kelley L Cox-US PRESSWIRE

I still have no idea.

But it’s not Outlaw’s fault he’s overpaid and really has little place on the Kings roster. If anything, he’s a guy who wants to get better, even as going as far as to say he’d like to play for the Kings Summer League team this year which is always nice to hear. That all said, his 2011-12 season was downright awful.

Although there was some improvement come the second half of the year, Outlaw’s first half was like a horror movie, shooting a woeful 29% in the seasons first 20 games. With more turnovers then assists, more fouls then steals and blocks combined and a disaster from behind the arch, shooting at a 16% clip, it was pretty amazing that Outlaw could find any time on the court, let alone the near 11 minutes he averaged. But that might have said more about the Kings forward problems then it did Outlaw, himself.

Thankfully though, for both Outlaw and the eyesight of King fans, the second half wasn’t as bad as the first. It was still bad, of course, but anything was an improvement over those opening half numbers.

Outlaw improved his second half shooting to a much more manageable 38%, doubling his three point percentage to 34%. Outlaw’s assist numbers went up as did his blocks and steals and his defense was, at least respectable, at times.

The seasons final month was Outlaw’s brightest as he put up 8 points a game on 42% shooting along with a steal a game, although those numbers came in over twenty minutes a game – so even at his best, it wasn’t all that good.

Thankfully, the 2012-13 season will be a clean slate and Outlaw can hopefully re-write his Kings tenure, but his opening act was nothing short of a disappointment.

Season Grade: F

Sacramento Kings End Of Season Report Cards – Travis Outlaw - A Royal Pain - A Royal Pain - A Sacramento Kings Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More