Reggie Evans Eyeing February 17th Return

[Built Ford Tough]

It has been the most repeated question of the Raptors season: When is Reggie Evans going to play?

 

Try Feb. 17, Toronto's first game after the NBA's all-star break, at home against the Memphis Grizzlies.

 

At least that's the answer Evans, the defensive specialist who hasn't played a game on account of a pre-season foot sprain, was giving on Tuesday.

 

And even if the date is a goal more than a set-in-stone promise, it's better than the previous stock answer to the question of when he'd return – specifically, that nobody in the organization had any real idea.

 

"That's my goal, the game after all-star," Evans said. "My spirit's real high. My energy is getting there. ... But don't congratulate me just yet."

 

http://www.thestar.com/sports/basketball/nba/raptors/article/753128--evans-sets-a-target-for-return

 

It seems reasonable to expect him back for the Raptors first game after the Al-Star break. After hearing that he was able to start doing some activity a week ago, I was thinking that he would try and come back after the All-Star break, and it seems like Reggie is thinking that too.

 

Hopefully he can provide the Raptors with some more intensity and heart off of the bench. It will probably take him a couple of weeks to get back into game shape though, so I don't have high expectations for him.

Edited January 24, 2010 by Built Ford Tough

[Smitty]

I miss Reggie. Dude brought alot of heart and solid D to Philly(not really anything else besides that, but still)

[BasX]

I miss Reggie. Dude brought alot of heart and solid D to Philly(not really anything else besides that, but still)

Define D and heart. As a raptor fan, I do not comprehend this crazy language you have. It's like spanish.

[Smitty]

Define D and heart. As a raptor fan, I do not comprehend this crazy language you have. It's like spanish.

 

 

Well I haven't been following his Raps stint much.

[Built Ford Tough]

I miss Reggie. Dude brought alot of heart and solid D to Philly(not really anything else besides that, but still)

 

I've already become a fan of his just by watching his reactions on the bench. Guy looks the ultimate team player.

 

It doesn't hurt that he is a very similar player to one of my all time favourite Raptors, Jerome Williams.

 

PS: How has Kapono worked out in Philly? All of the Philly games I have watched this season he hardly gets any burn, which I found kind of surprising considering the lack of outside shooting that they have on the team. I know that he is a terrible defender and can't dribble without traveling, but I would've thought that he would get some time because of his ability to stretch the floor, which nobody on Philly can really do.

[Smitty]

I've already become a fan of his just by watching his reactions on the bench. Guy looks the ultimate team player.

 

It doesn't hurt that he is a very similar player to one of my all time favourite Raptors, Jerome Williams.

 

PS: How has Kapono worked out in Philly? All of the Philly games I have watched this season he hardly gets any burn, which I found kind of surprising considering the lack of outside shooting that they have on the team. I know that he is a terrible defender and can't dribble without traveling, but I would've thought that he would get some time because of his ability to stretch the floor, which nobody on Philly can really do.

 

There's your answer, lol. And we're talking about bad defense on an Eddie Jordumb coached team.

 

In other words, I really miss Korver right now. Even he wasn't a great defender(not even good, actually) on this team but he at least put in more effort.

[Check my Stats]

I just want him on the bench in uniform because I think everyone will play harder with him there, seems like a real leader on the team. Also I think we need a legitimate BIG man, Amir, Bosh and Bargs are too lean or soft to man up on the BIG centers, Reggie will be able to come in and throw his weight around for 8-12 minutes hopefully when needed.

 

Amir is probably better than Reggie at this point though, I just want to see Reggie on the team lol.

[Built Ford Tough]

Here is an update on the latest. Evans practiced with the ream for the first time in 3 months.

 

Reggie Evans, the long-injured Raptors defensive specialist, returned to full-contact practice on Monday, banging with his teammates for the first time in more than three months.

 

"Today was a fun day for me," he said. "I finally got to a good stepping stone. ... I've got some work to do."

 

Evans's presence on the floor – and the attention he drew from a gaggle of reporters in the workout's aftermath – earned favourable reviews from teammates. His scrum with the media was interrupted by hooting and hollering from numerous Raptors, among them Chris Bosh and Jarrett Jack, the latter of whom repeatedly shouted, "The king is back!"

 

How did Evans play? He was slow to the ball, his jump shot looked wonky and he appeared out of shape, according to various accounts. And, for a guy who hasn't played since damaging ligaments in his left foot in an Oct. 14 pre-season game, none of that was unexpected. But he managed to grab a steal, according to the post-scrimmage boxscore Evans kept in his head, and he played hard, which is his calling card.

 

"I love playing against Reggie. He only knows how to play one way and that's all out," Bosh said. "I think it's good to have him back practising. Once he gets in shape, I think he can really help us."

 

http://www.thestar.com/sports/basketball/nba/raptors/article/755772--evans-gets-a-real-bang-out-of-raptors-practice

[Warren2ThaG]

We need him on the Lakers bad. Powell+ a 1st?

[Built Ford Tough]

We need him on the Lakers bad. Powell+ a 1st?

 

I'd do it in a heartbeat. I like Evans, but he really isn't going to give the Raptors anymore than what Amir Johnson gives them. Evans isn't nearly as good as some of us Raptor fans have made him out to be. Something in that article that I just posted summed it up pretty nicely. I don't remember for sure what it said, but it was something along the lines of "I don't think a player has ever gotten this much better during an injury" which is very fitting in regards to Evans. He is a 20 mpg, gritty player at best and really won't give the Raptors much more than Johnson does. A little more rebounding and some more toughness, but it won't make or break the Raptors.

 

So yeah, I'd be all for trading Evans. Powell wouldn't cut it considering Evans makes around $4M more than him, but I would be happy to trade away Evans and his $9.5M or so over the next two years if it means getting a 1st round pick with it.