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Season in Review 2014-15: Tyreke Evans

Pelicans.com continues its look back at the 2014-15 season with player-by-player analysis of the team:

2014-15 OVERVIEW
It’s possible no Pelicans player enjoyed a more gratifying 2014-15 than Evans, who ventured into uncharted territory from both an individual and team standpoint, in his sixth NBA season. A healthier Evans registered career highs in an array of categories, including games played (79), minutes (2,690), assists per game (6.6), rebounds per game (5.3) and total blocks (37). He also made his NBA playoff debut, after playing for a winning regular-season team for the first time.

One area in which he didn’t set a career mark – scoring – was something everyone around the league already knew he could do well, but Evans’ time with the Pelicans has been more about becoming an all-around force. Those efforts have been highlighted by his extensive work on his previously erratic jumper, which improved to the point in 2014-15 where he shot 39.1 percent on attempts between 16 feet and the three-point line – another career high. By comparison, Evans connected on just 24.1 percent last season from that distance, according to Basketball-Reference.com.

“I think he’s become a much more well-rounded basketball player since he’s been here,” said Pelicans assistant coach Fred Vinson, a former NBA guard. “The number one thing is his shooting, continuing to get better at that and forcing teams to respect him as a shooter. That opens up a lot of the other things.”

As a result of Jrue Holiday’s midseason leg injury, Evans started extensively at point guard, resulting in him moving into a larger distributing role. Evans reduced the occasions where he gets tunnel vision driving to the hoop, seeing the floor better en route to numerous high-assist games. For example, from Jan. 25 through Feb. 27, Evans compiled 10 double-digit assist games. Over the course of the season, the Pelicans were a flawless 10-0 when Evans notched 11-plus assists. They were 23-11 when he exceeded his assist average by handing out seven or more helpers, but just 22-26 in all other games.

Other than Anthony Davis, Evans may have made the biggest impact of any player as New Orleans achieved its goal of qualifying for the playoffs for the first time since 2010-11. Although the Pelicans were still banged up at times with injuries, their improved health and that of their 6-foot-6 catalyst was another major factor.

“It was a good year for everybody,” Evans said. “I’m happy everybody got a chance to come back and a chance to play in the playoffs. Hopefully everyone can stay healthy next year, and we’ll see what we can do.”

TOP THREE TYREKE EVANS GAMES OF 2014-15

#3, Dec. 12: New Orleans 119, Cleveland 114
With Davis sidelined by injury in the first quarter, Evans terrorized the Cavaliers’ defense by piling up 31 points and 10 assists, his only 30-10 game of the campaign. He was 13-for-24 from the field. New Orleans was plus-15 with him on the court.

#2, April 15: New Orleans 108, San Antonio 103
With the first NBA postseason appearance of his career at stake, Evans would not be denied. He finished with 19 points, 11 assists, four rebounds, three steals and one block in helping spearhead New Orleans to a memorable victory that clinched the West’s eighth seed. He shot an efficient 9-for-15 from the field.

#1, Feb. 6: New Orleans 116, Oklahoma City 113
In another crucial victory for the Pelicans, Evans notched a triple-double at Chesapeake Energy Arena, rolling to 22 points, a season-best 16 assists and 10 rebounds (one of his five double-digit rebounding games). In four games vs. the Thunder this season, Evans averaged 18.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 8.8 assists.