Evans is navigating rookie learning curve
With a 6-foot-9 wingspan, 35½-inch vertical leap and high basketball IQ, Jacob Evans seemed tailor-made for the modern NBA, the type of versatile defender who could command an immediate rotation spot.
But four months after many pundits were quick to laud the Warriors’ decision to take Evans with the No. 28 pick of the NBA draft, some of those same talking heads are questioning the 21-year-old’s progress. Evans, whose offense isn’t nearly as polished as his defense, opened his rookie season this week out of the rotation.
With restricted free agent Patrick McCaw yet to re-sign with Golden State, Evans had an opportunity for regular minutes on the wing. His offense has been raw enough, however, that Quinn Cook —a point guard by title — has seized the backup shootingguard spot.
Of the 13 Warriors players who were active for Tuesday night’s season-opening win over Oklahoma City, Evans was the only one who didn’t play. In the second quarter, after Andre Iguodala left the game for
“He’s He’s learning just a rookie. about the NBA. He’s figuring it all out.” Steve Kerr, on Jacob Evans
good with tightness in his left calf, head coach Steve Kerr subbed in Alfonzo McKinnie — fresh off signing a two-year minimum contract — over Evans.
“He’s just a rookie,” Kerr said of Evans. “He’s learning about the NBA. He’s figuring it all out.”
Added Evans: “I knew it was going to be a challenge. It’s the NBA. … Nothing really surprised me. I knew it was going to be a lot of hard work. I just need to keep coming in, keep getting better every day.”
All the hype surrounding Evans’ selection in June made it easy to forget a basic reality: Late-round picks face long odds to find a long-term NBA role, much less contribute as a rookie. For every Tony Parker (taken No. 28 in 2001 by the Spurs), there are many more players taken at No. 28 who wash out of the league within a couple of years.
Evans’ defensive versatility gives him an NBA-ready skill, but he’ll need to get comfortable in Golden State’s movement-heavy offense to carve out a rotation spot.
In July, at summer leagues in Sacramento and Las Vegas, he shot a combined 32.4 percent from the field and 11.1 percent from three-point range. In five preseason games, Evans missed 19 of his 25 shots — including all 10 of his threepoint attempts — and tallied only three assists in 93 minutes.
“It’s been just a lot of learning,” Evans said. “I’m just getting used to it. I’m getting familiar with the plays, the coverages on defense.”
Kerr has encouraged Evans to seek out post-practice games of 3-on-3 and run miles on the treadmill after games in which he does not play. To make sure his entire roster stays engaged, Kerr doesn’t let reserves go more than a couple weeks without checking into a game.
Asked Thursday whether Evans could play during upcoming games at Utah and Denver, Kerr nodded and said, “Certainly. You know me: I’m going to throw everyone out there at some point.” Injury update: Iguodala is questionable for Friday night’s game against Utah with tightness in his left calf, Kerr said.