Sir Charles in Charge
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Bouncing back: Best redemption stories from the NBA’s first quarter

By Jacob Doole

DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 03: Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons celebrates a 105-96 win over the Milwaukee Bucks at Little Caesars Arena on November 3, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 03: Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons celebrates a 105-96 win over the Milwaukee Bucks at Little Caesars Arena on November 3, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Tyreke Evans, Memphis Grizzlies

After his rookie season, Tyreke Evans was viewed by most as a franchise-changing talent.

He won the 2010 Rookie of the Year award ahead of Steph Curry. He was a part of Team USA’s extended squad following that season.

He was just the fourth rookie to ever average at least 20 points, five rebounds and five assists per game as a rookie, according to Fox Sports. The other three players? Oscar Robertson, Michael Jordan and LeBron James.

Bleacher Report’s Quentin Haynes even went as far as saying that Evans “could just be the next LeBron James.”

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Unfortunately for Kings fans, Evans’ development stagnated in Sacramento. Not only did he not become LeBron 2.0 (what a surprise), he regressed every season.

After a move to New Orleans, injuries kept Evans from even trying to prove Haynes right. A trade back to Sacramento, a swift buyout from them and a contract with the semi-rebuilding Grizzlies showed little promise of a resurgence.

He’s still not the next LeBron. But he’s turned back into an above-average NBA player in Memphis, and I think that’s close enough.

Evans is averaging 18.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists while leading the second unit for the Grizzlies. He currently has an effective field goal percentage of 55.9 percent, and is shooting 49.3 percent from the field and 41.9 percent from deep (all career-highs).

Of all players who have started three games or less this season, Evans leads the league in win shares and is second in scoring. He’s well an truly among the leading candidates for Sixth Man of the Year, despite Memphis’ current slide.

He also has a Player Efficiency Rating of 22.2, good for 28th in the league. That’s quite remarkable when you consider who he’s ahead of; John Wall, Russell Westbrook, DeMar DeRozan and Blake Griffin, just to name a few.

It’s amazing really – somehow a seemingly below-average player going to a below-average team has revived his career. Who would’ve thought?

Maybe all Evans needed was to finally escape the expectations that he built for himself in his rookie year.

It remains to be seen how the turmoil in Memphis will affect Evans’ production. Coach David Fizdale is gone, and with a nine-game losing streak still not over, there’s a chance the roster will see some changes in the not-too-distant future.

But no matter what happens, Evans has shown that he can still contribute to an NBA team. That’s a win in and of itself.

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