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| Tyreke Evans and me on my tip-toes |
When Sacramento Kings starting point guard Tyreke Evans and VSP Vision Care were in Chester this week, I got an opportunity to talk basketball with the Chester native and '2010 NBA Rookie of the Year'. Here’s a few of his responses.
ME: Since there is no NBA Sophomore of the Year Award, what will you have to accomplish this year to feel like you accomplished something special?
TYREKE: Win more games and make the playoffs.
ME: Is it true that you didn't make the USA Select Team that's playing the in World Championship Games now because you got hurt?
TYREKE: Yes. I sprained my ankle on the first day and couldn't compete.
ME: What was your favorite highlight of last year: The spin move on Ron Artest; The move on Kenyon Martin; Coming back from 35 down in the 3rd quarter to beat Chicago; The shot over the backboard; The move on Andrew Bogut?
TYREKE: The shot on Bogut. I always wanted to make a game winner and that shot won the game over the Milwaukee Bucks.
ME: At what point did you hit the wall? Game 40, 50, 60 or never?
TYREKE: Around game 40 I really started getting tired. But I was tired off the court and couldn’t seem to get enough rest. When the lights came on I came to life and was never tired for a game.
ME: That elbow to the head looked like it really hurt.
TYREKE: (Laughing) You’re right. I thought I could get up and play but when they kept asking me questions I got none of them right. I never had a concussion before and had to take some time off.
ME: I’ve always wondered when do you guys eat dinner, before or after a game?
TYREKE: In my very first game I started getting dizzy late in the game. When I told the staff that I hadn’t eaten, they told me that I have to eat before a game. So, when I’m home, my chef prepares a meal around 5pm that carries me through the game.
ME: You’ll turn 21 in a few weeks. We’re led to believe that NBA players have a very active social life. Can you hang out with the older guys?
TYREKE: Some guys hang out all the time. I don’t know how they do it. Of course, cities on the east coast or LA always have something set up for us. But I’m usually trying to get rest so I spend a lot of time in the hotel room when I’m on the road.
And here’s one question from a New Beginnings Academy Student: What’s it like playing in the NBA?
TYREKE: It’s hard. Every night I’m playing against one or more of the best basketball players in the world. Kobe one night, Dwayne Wade the next, Chris Paul the next, Paul Pierce the next. There is never an easy day on the job.
(RekeROY is the nickname the Sacramento fans came up with to promote Tyreke in his Rookie Of the Year campaign)
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