Uncomplicating Tyreke Evans’ Game, Thomas Robinson Returns To Kansas

Two brief bits of news this morning, neither of which is really worthy of a full story but interesting enough to spend a few minutes on.

First up is Tyreke Evans, who gets examined by Sports Illustrated’s Zach Lowe in his Point Forward column. Lowe breaks down Evans’ game, from the way he makes everything so complicated and tough on himself by his decision making to his need for DeMarcus Cousins to put more effort into the pick and roll:

"A player who spins is looking to score. Spinning dizzies up a ball handler’s vision, making it hard to read the movements of nine other players scattered around the court. You can count on one hand the players with the vision and coordination to throw creative, pinpoint passes in mid-spin. Evans is not one of them."

Hard to disagree there, in all honesty. Evans has a unique size and skill set that we’ve seen succeed at the NBA level – but his decision making (along with his lack of a jumper and injuries) have halted his progression. Physically, it’s all there – Evans must improve his mental game though if he ever wants to move onto the next level. At only 23, there is plenty of time for him to do so – but going into the season as a restricted free agent, the time to do so in Sacramento is slowly draining through the hourglass.

In other news, Kings rookie Thomas Robinson spent the last few days at the University of Kansas along with a few other former Jayhawks, many of them recently returning from 12-day NBA-sponsored Basketball Without Borders excursion. Former Hawk Cole Aldrich, along with Thabo Sefolosha, Serge Ibaka, Luol Deng, Luc Mbah and C.J. Watson served as instructors in youth basketball camps in the Johannesburg area and also helped construct a home for Habitat for Humanity during their trip.

Aldrich was also pressed on the Kings’ newest member and former Jayhawk, Thomas Robinson:

"“He definitely has the work ethic,” Aldrich said of Robinson. “He will learn a few things on the court this season and things like that. He’s going to be a good (pro) player.”"