Tyreke Evans was 19 years old when he was introduced in Arco Arena as a wide-eyed, highly regarded rookie out of Memphis. He walked softly but carried a big, bruising basket of skills. At a muscular 6-foot-6 and 220 pounds, and in the terms of one-time Kings coach Paul Westphal, he was a man among boys.
That was true for his opening act. Encouraged by his former coach to control games and dominate the show, Evans averaged 20.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.8 assists and a career-high 37.2 minutes. He slipped past Steph Curry and outdistanced his former New Orleans Pelican teammate Jrue Holiday for Rookie of the Year honors.