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OAKLAND - When the Kings decided to hand over control of their offense to Tyreke Evans, they joined a growing list of teams depending on young point guards to direct their squads.
Sure, you still have your sages at the point like Steve Nash and Jason Kidd. But there are a lot of teams leaning on younger players at the position.
So what does it take to lead a team a veterans when you're one of the youngest players on the team?
One of the "older" point guards weighed in on what Evans needs to do to succeed.
"Pace and tempo," said Los Angeles Clippers guard Baron Davis. "I think as a young point guard the more patient you are with yourself I think it translates to everyone else on your team."
Evans is going to have to be patient with himself. He's already endured a sprained ankle and some off shooting in four of his first five games.
It's natural to jump to conclusions about Evans after five games, especially when he's made only 35.5 percent of his shots and has 18 assists against 12 turnovers.
I still contend Evans will be fine. He'll learn to power through the fouls and finish at the rim and get a better feel for the NBA game.
I say power through fouls only becuase I joked with Evans he might want to learn how to flail and flop better to which he replied, "Man, I'm a rookie."
Valid point. No need for Evans to wait for a whistle.
Davis enjoys watching Evans and the emerging group of young floor generals.
"I haven't played against Tyreke Evans but I've watched him a lot and you see that (poise)," Davis said. "You see that in these young point guards that they're so poised. ... For me it's great to watch how the game is evolving."
Davis said Evans, Golden State rookie Stephen Curry and Chicago second-year guard Derrick Rose are among the young point guards he enjoys watching.
So even as Evans goes through his rookie struggles he still has many around the league who believe his talent will payoff for the Kings in the long run.
--Jason Jones
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