Well, well, well. It looks like the NBA’s dramatic regular season is just about set to wrap up. Many teams have played their final game, while the Golden State Warriors will play theirs today. Tons of juicy storylines broke out yesterday. It’s a shame that last night’s curtain calls for future hall-of-famers Dwyane Wade and Dirk Nowitzki were buried by shocking news in the Western Conference.
- Magic Johnson abruptly quit on the Los Angeles Lakers as their season wheezed out a death rattle.
- The Houston Rockets finshed their 82 game schedule by blowing a double-digit second half lead against the Oklahoma City Thunder. We should have seen this coming, as this is pretty much on brand for James Harden’s team come April/May. Harden came up small in crunchtime, bricking a major free throw. Now the Rockets don’t control their destiny and could face OKC in the first round, and the Golden Empire in the second. RUH ROH!
- Steph Curry hurts his foot in a meaningless game against the lowly New Orleans Pelicans. Warriors coach Steve Kerr says it’s not too bad and the greatest point guard alive will be ready for Game 1 of the playoffs. Still, nobody in Dub Nation wants to hear anything about Curry and foot/ankle injuries.
Meanwhile, last night in New Orleans a young rookie named Jacob Evans balled out in his first start for Golden State.
Jacob Evans played a career high 37 minutes tonight for the Warriors and delivered his best game as a pro.
— Joe Danneman (@FOX19Joe) April 10, 2019
11 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks, 3 steals
Evans was the Warriors first round draft pick last year, a guy the franchise was hopeful would bolster their aging wing depth, per Dieter Kurtenbach of the Mercury News;
When the Warriors drafted Cincinnati wing Jacob Evans with the No. 28 overall pick, general manager Bob Myers declared that he didn’t think Golden State coach Steve Kerr was “going to have any problems putting him out there” in the 2018-19 season.
That’s exactly what the Warriors needed from that draft selection — a wing player with the skills and maturity to make an immediate impact.
Evans’ film shows a player who is ready to play defense at the NBA level and could provide some timely offense. He’s ready-made to be a role player with plenty of upside for the future.
However, for the majority of the season, Evans was a non-factor in the rotations. His shot looked suspect, he was tentative as many rookies are, and his defensive positioning needed work. He’s gone back and forth between the G-League and the Dubs, soaking up the game and patiently waiting his turn.
Finally, his hard work paid off as he showed some real promise in his first start against the Pelicans. As a Baton Rouge native, I’m sure he was pumped to play in his home state of Louisiana.
Jacob Evans III returns to Louisiana to play tonight for the Warriors. The Baton Rouge native has him gone state forever etched on his leg. pic.twitter.com/Lj5qqvcWJJ
— Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) April 9, 2019
On the defensive end, he showed glimpses of tenacity and Andre Iguodala-ish instincts.
" " - Jacob Evans
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) April 10, 2019
@NBCSAuthentic pic.twitter.com/k9hiCFrpJM
On offense he was patient, but showed no reluctance in shooting the open jumpshot.
Nice 13-foot jumper from Jacob Evans there. This could be an important night for him.
— Connor Letourneau (@Con_Chron) April 10, 2019
It feels like Jacob Evans III has been more aggressive in this game than we saw of Pat McCaw all of last season
— Grant Liffmann (@GrantLiffmann) April 10, 2019
Jacob Evans looking good right now
— DJ (@djlm5_) April 10, 2019
That’s why I’m giving young Mr. Evans the Warrior Wonder nomination today. He’s a part of the Warriors long-term youth movement that hopefully can spell the older war dogs in the near future.
Jacob Evans on getting his first career start. pic.twitter.com/QMMY6CRMJb
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) April 10, 2019
Poll
Who was your Warrior Wonder in the W vs the Pelicans?
This poll is closed
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42%
Jacob Evans
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13%
DeMarcus Cousins
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8%
Quinn Cook
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6%
Jordan Bell
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29%
Damion Lee