Feb 16, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Utah Jazz forward Jeremy Evans (40) dunks during the 2013 NBA All-Star slam dunk contest at the Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jeremy Evans has been with the Utah Jazz since being drafted by the team in the 2010 NBA Draft with the 55th overall pick. Jeremy has been a fan favorite in Utah, but has not had an easy time seeing the court. Today, we will get to know Jeremy, and talk about what we could see from him this season.
Jeremy played his college ball at Western Kentucky University. During his senior season with the Hilltoppers, Evans averaged 10 points per game, while shooting an outstanding 63.9% from the field. All Jazz fans know about Evan’s leaping ability, and while at Western Kentucky, Evans put his leaping ability to work on a nightly basis. Evans is the Hilltoppers all-time leader in blocks with 224.
As Jazz fans, we probably know already that Evan’s greatest moment in the NBA was when he got the opportunity to compete in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest and won it. Evans won the competition with this dunk…
As great as the dunk was, I don’t think that was Jeremy’s best dunk. Personally, I think it comes down to these 2 dunks. One of the dunks ended up being called off, but still, it was insane.
Now that you’ve been reminded of Jeremy Evans’ athleticism, what can he do for us this season? Since Evans arrival in Salt Lake City, he has found himself on the outside looking in with the big man rotation. Evans first 3 seasons, has been seeing Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap take the majority of the minutes and seeing guys like Derrick Favors, Enes Kanter, and even Fransisco Elson playing above him. However, now Jefferson and Millsap are gone. So Jeremy gets to play, right? Here is a look at how he could see the court.
Favors and Kanter are going to be the starters for this team this season. On the bench, you have Evans, Rudy Gobert, and Andris Biedrins as the big men. Like I’ve said in articles before, playing time will depend on if coach Tyrone Corbin decides whether to play a small rotation or not.
To start the season though, it sounds like Marvin Williams could be back by training camp. No official word has been said yet. Also, according to our interview last week with David Locke, it could be really difficult for Brandon Rush to be ready to play by the start of the season. We all know also that coach Corbin likes playing veterans, and Randy Rigby said in an interview with 1280 The Zone last week, that Richard Jefferson is looking VERY good in Jazz open gym. All this could make it really hard for Jeremy to get on the court, other than pregame warm ups.
John Lucas III should back up Trey Burke at the point guard position.
Ian Clark could become the main back up shooting guard to Alec Burks since Rush might not be ready to go yet.
Richard Jefferson could play behind Gordon Hayward after performing well at Jazz open gym.
Marvin Williams can play as a stretch 4 big man behind Favors, if Corbin decides to go small.
Biedrins will play behind Kanter as Gobert will not be ready to play hardly any minutes this season.
The only was I really see Evans getting the minutes, is if Marvin isn’t quite healthy enough to play yet, or if Corbin doesn’t want to play Jefferson much. Should Evans play though? Definitely!
Evans’ career numbers won’t wow you. He’s averaging 2 points and 1.6 rebounds per game. However, he has only averaged 7.8 minutes per game through his career. Numbers that ARE impressive though, Evans’ PER (Player Efficiency Rating) is a 19.88, and PER 48 minutes, Evans averages are outstanding. 16.7 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks.
When given the opportunity, Evans could step up and be a big part of the Jazz’s rotation. His athleticism and improved offense will help his case when the coaches are pondering whether or not to play him. I would love to see Evans on the court this season, but from what I believe the Jazz will do with their rotations this season, I think it is going to be hard for him to see much playing time. I could be wrong though. If he has a very good preseason and training camp, Evans could prove everyone wrong.