Memphis Grizzlies: 5 goals for Tyreke Evans in 2017-18

MEMPHIS, TN - AUGUST 29: Tyreke Evans of the Memphis Grizzlies smiles during a press conference on August 29, 2017 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images

1. Force his way into the starting lineup

This is the pinnacle for Evans. It’s not realistic to think he’ll be an All-Star, and the same is probably true for something like Sixth Man of the Year (though not completely implausible). If he’s starting games it means either something has gone wrong with the team’s best players or he’s functioning at a high enough level to warrant it. The goal here is obviously the latter.

Some caveats apply. It’s not crazy to think that Evans could be in the starting lineup from day one. He’s got a more impressive track record than the likes of Ben McLemore, Andrew Harrison, Mario Chalmers, Troy Daniels, Wade Baldwin, and Wayne Selden, even with the injuries he’s sustained. Winning a starting spot based on reputation isn’t the point though.

If Evans is a starter on opening night, then this goal can be re-written as maintaining his place in the starting lineup. The ethos is that Evans plays well enough to be a starter not just in Memphis, but on any number of teams throughout the league.

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The metric to keep an eye on, thus, is games started. We’ll put the goal at 51 percent of Evans’ games played.

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