Players talk. They talk about other opposing players and they talk about their own players at times too. That’s just the way the cookie crumbles. Some players choose to wait outside with a handful of security guards to hash out their grievances concerning another player talking mess, while other players choose to let their game do the talking for them.
NBA player Reggie Evans has heard his share of chatter about him during his time in the league. However it’s how he went about it, which helped propel him to higher heights on offense.
This season has been a roller coaster ride for Evans, who has experienced his share of lows after being inserted into the starting line up earlier this season.
“Just in the past, when people play off me, a lot of times I’d still be looking to be less aggressive on the offensive end,” Evans said after Wednesday’s win in Portland. “I still was trying to pass it.”
Then something happened. Evans transformed for the timid shooter to an explosive aggressor on the offensive side of the ball.
“One day, I got kind of frustrated when one of my teammates told the coach to take me out,” Evans said. “I really wanted to say something to him so bad, but I bit my tongue, and I said, ‘Let me just be a little aggressive and make them play us honestly, 5-on-5, instead of not playing me.’”
“I’m just doing my best to be more aggressive. If they respect me, cool. If they don’t, cool. I’m not tripping. But, at the end of the day, they’re gonna know I’m out there.”
Evans doesn’t need to worry about others have to say. I can ensure you after scoring 22 points and 26 rebounds against Portland, teams are aware of him. When you pick up the scouting report for the Nets, Evans will be a name that people pay attention to. Now he just has to maintain this new level of confidence to be consider a major factor.