MIAMI – Admittedly, Tyreke Evans isn't accustomed to his new role.

Evans has always run the offense. And for the brief time he didn't in college, his Memphis squad struggled. Once Evans took the reins, the Tigers won 27 consecutive games.

Although rookie Isaiah Thomas now starts at point guard for the Kings, Evans hasn't been stripped of all point guard duties by coach Keith Smart.

Evans, who now starts at small forward, still will run the offense along with Thomas, but the third-year player admits there are times in the halfcourt offense he doesn't know what to do without the ball.

"It is a little bit like that," Evans said. "Now I've got to read more things, catch and shoot, and take the shots they give me and play my game … just not worry about having the ball in my hands."

Evans' ability to play off the ball will only enhance his skills, Smart believes, and make the Kings tougher to defend.

Through two games at small forward, Evans is still getting shots but mostly has been off target, making 13 of 35.

"When you look at it, he hasn't struggled (with the change) in the last two games," Smart said. "He still got to the basket, still got up 17 shots (Sunday at Cleveland). He just hasn't converted. He just has not finished a lot of plays because he's gotten to where he's needed to on the floor."

Smart wanted another decision maker and player who could push the tempo to start games, so he replaced John Salmons with Evans and made Thomas the starting point guard.

The Kings hope to be a running team with Evans, Thomas or Marcus Thornton expected to get the ball upcourt quickly in transition.

Evans is at his best in the open court. In the halfcourt offense, he must adjust his game. Evans is second on the Kings in scoring with a 17.0-point average, but that has come mostly when he was running the offense.

"Sometimes I'm so used to running the point, I'll get in the game and be passive," Evans said. "I just need to be more aggressive."

Thomas continues to encourage Evans to attack the basket whenever possible. Evans, 6-foot-6 and 220 pounds, is a lot to handle when he's going full speed.

"I'm always telling 'Reke to be aggressive and get to the hole," Thomas said. "Sometimes he kind of backs off a little bit. I keep telling him, 'You've got to be aggressive and keep the defense on their heels because you're one of the best in transition and guys definitely don't want to guard you.' "

Smart believes Evans' experience running the offense is useful when he plays on the wing. Friday at Detroit, Evans had nine assists in Thomas' first start.

And by not always bringing the ball upcourt, Evans will have chances to make plays without the defense focused on him.

"It still gives me an opportunity to run plays through him as a point forward," Smart said. "Play off of Isaiah because Isaiah can space the floor when Tyreke has it."

Evans is fine at point forward because he has the ball. What Evans doesn't want to do is stop to watch the offense when he doesn't have the ball. He still needs to be aggressive and find his teammates.

"I'm just getting used to it," Evans said. "Whoever gets the rebound is supposed to push it, but during the halfcourt set, I've got to get better at moving without the ball. I know what to do. I've just got to go out there and do it."

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