As we wind down to the playoffs, Mockingford and I will be going through each prospective free agent this offseason on the roster, and getting everyone's thoughts on them. This is in terms of value to the team, likelihood that they'll be a Sonic next season and where else they could end up. Evans will be an unrestricted free agent. Strengths: He's a hustler, baby. Reggie plays as hard as he can whenever he steps on the court, something the Sonics sorely need. He's one of the best rebounders in the league, and his defense enrages plenty of opposing players. He's a lot faster than he looks, so he can move out to the perimeter on defense. A hard worker, period. Not to mention his constant stream of hilarious quotes. Weaknesses: After three years, he still can't score, and it's looking like he never will. Although Reggie has made some strides since his rookie year, he can't seem to figure out what to do with the ball in his hands. This year, he's started posting up about once a game, but since he does it so little I have no idea if he can actually score that way consistently. Since he rarely has the ball in his hands for more than two seconds, he'll never start racking up the assists, either. He's undersized for his position, which doesn't really matter besides the fact that he doesn't block any shots. Importance to the team: High. Even though he doesn't play much late in the game and even though he can't score, he's firmly established himself as part of the heart of the Supersonics with his effort. Without him, the team might not try as hard and they definitely wouldn't grab close to as many rebounds. He's the type of player that is the first one off the bench to cheer his teammates, and the first one to stick up for them in a confrontation. With such laid back stars as Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis, somebody needs to bring hard work and toughness to the team. Chances he'll be back: Very good. Reggie is loyal to the Sonics for taking a chance on him, and if the Sonics management doesn't think he's a vital part of the team, they're insane. He shouldn't garner a huge contract, but he will get a well-deserved raise next year. Prediction: Reggie gives the Sonics the first chance to sign him, and they wait until the Ray Allen situation is resolved to resign him to a better contract. The Reg returns to the Seattle for many more years of bucktoothed grins, and everybody lives happily ever after.
The only obstacle in the way of Reggie's return is Nick Collison. Collison has shown so much this season, and while Reggie is the heart of this team, he just doesn't have the scope that Collison has, particularly offensively. Obviously you can go with Nick at the five for periods, but I get the feeling someone will pay for Reggie (particularly a team that lacks toughness), and with Nick and Fortson tied up next season, it will come down to how loyal Reggie is and how determined he is to stay a Sonics.
Reggie scored at the start of the season down low. Unfortunately, he only had one move and it was quickly scouted and handled by every big in the league. If he can add two or more additional moves he could have more options, but he will NEVER be a scorer. I think someone with a solid Center (are there any in the league outside of Shaq?) but lacking rebounding would give Reggie some good money and solid minutes. He really needs to be paired with a scoring big. Maybe if Johnson had Dirk play more minutes at the 5 Reggie would rebound all the Mav's shooter's missed shots and they would average 130 per game! He is athletic enough to run with them and could beef up their defense. I think if the Sonics make a reasonable bid Reggie will stay, but his stellar rebounding could earn him a surprise offer.
Collison's playing more minutes than Reg now, correct? I could just see them with their roles reversed next year i.e, Nick starting and Reggie coming off the bench. The only thing is I'm not sure if he'll be very effective in 'spot' minutes. He seems to be the kind of guy who needs to work up a lather to be really effective. Plus he may be one of those guys who plays better with starters and 'stars', and not a 2nd unit. I'd love to see him back, he's given us a lot this year.
Reggie Evans owes the Sonics organization. They not only gave him an opportunity to become an NBA player, they gave him the opportunity to fail as a player. In Reggie's first two years in the league he was a joke. He wasn't even a great rebounder until this year. The Sonics stuck with Reggie when everyone (myself included) felt like he belonged at the end of the bench or in the minor leagues. I've come to respect what Reggie brings to this team. He is the most active rebounder on both ends that I've seen since Rodman. Combined with Danny Fortson he has given this Sonics team the edge that I haven't seen since Shawn Kemp and Frank Brickowski/Terry Cummings. I wouldn't mind either way if Reggie returns. He has obviously had an impact on our team but next season with Nick and Danny as insurance I don't think that he should return at a hefty price. If we can get him for a 3 year 8-9 million dollar contract I'd feel comfortable with him returning. I would hate, however, for one of our other free agents to be shown the door b/c we don't have enough money left for them b/c we signed Reggie to a hefty contract.
I pretty much agree with everything, though I don't expect any teams to make a bid for Evans in the offseason. This is a guy who fits within our system, and I can't see other teams paying for someone so low on the skill/talent scale. This isn't a knock on Reggie, but teams know that his improvement boils down to effort and enthusiasm--and nearly every team in the league has one or two players that could potentially give them something similar, if motivated.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Iron Shiek:</div><div class="quote_post">he has given this Sonics team the edge that I haven't seen since Shawn Kemp and Frank Brickowski/Terry Cummings. </div> Holy **** did we have Terry Cummings?? I totally forgot that. Now he was one tough sucker, especially for a minister. And unfortunately my lasting memory of Brick is his leg buckling on a breakaway and missing a dunk. They played that over and over on the NBA blooper shows.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Iron Shiek:</div><div class="quote_post">Reggie Evans owes the Sonics organization. They not only gave him an opportunity to become an NBA player, they gave him the opportunity to fail as a player. In Reggie's first two years in the league he was a joke. He wasn't even a great rebounder until this year. The Sonics stuck with Reggie when everyone (myself included) felt like he belonged at the end of the bench or in the minor leagues. I've come to respect what Reggie brings to this team. He is the most active rebounder on both ends that I've seen since Rodman. Combined with Danny Fortson he has given this Sonics team the edge that I haven't seen since Shawn Kemp and Frank Brickowski/Terry Cummings. I wouldn't mind either way if Reggie returns. He has obviously had an impact on our team but next season with Nick and Danny as insurance I don't think that he should return at a hefty price. If we can get him for a 3 year 8-9 million dollar contract I'd feel comfortable with him returning. I would hate, however, for one of our other free agents to be shown the door b/c we don't have enough money left for them b/c we signed Reggie to a hefty contract.</div> He owes the Sonics nothing in the respect that you suggest it. Reggie was a solid player throughout his 1st 2 seasons (especially in comparision to r other bigs).
I don't see it as a situation that Reggie 'owes' the team. He has done nothing but put his heart and soul onto the floor every time he's worn a Seattle jersey, and just because the team stuck by him as he improved as a player, there is nothing more he could have done than he has already. The NBA is a harsh business, management would not have stuck by him unless they thought he brought something to the team each night.
