Tyreke Evans' impact on the Kings' offense has been noticeable lately, but he's making just as big an impact on defense.
The rookie guard drew high praise from coach Paul Westphal for his defense seven games into his NBA career. Westphal already has no problem asking Evans to defend point guards, shooting guards or small forwards.
"Honestly, Tyreke's one of the better defensive players in the league already," Westphal said. "He is very, very solid. He's got great defensive fundamentals, and he can guard ones, twos and threes. He's pretty much our best defender at any of those positions."
The coach's compliment was significant to Evans, who said it wasn't long ago that defense was considered a weakness in his game.
Evans said when he arrived at Memphis last year, coach John Calipari promised to change that reputation.
"Coach Cal got me and said, 'I'm going to make you a good defensive player.' " Evans said. "And I almost broke the record for steals there."
Evans set a Memphis freshman record with 77 steals.
Evans said desire and his 6-foot-6, 220-pound build help him as a defender.
"I just use my hands. I've got long arms. Every chance I get to get my hands on the ball, I do it."
Martin update – Guard Kevin Martin underwent successful surgery Monday at UCDavis Medical Center to repair a hairline fracture of the navicular bone in his left wrist, the team said.
"That's good," Westphal said when told the surgery was a success. "That was on our minds."
Martin was injured in the Kings' home opener against Memphis last Monday, when he scored 48 points. He played two days later against Atlanta, scoring 29 points. An MRI on Thursday revealed the severity of the injury.
Martin, who averaged 30.6 points through five games, is expected to miss at least eight weeks.
For more Kings coverage, go to www.sacbee.com/kings.
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