Yes, Tyreke Evans does work on that half court shot in practice. Here is a video from an October 20, 2010 practice, that proves it:
That footage does not look as pretty as this:
I guess practice makes perfect.
Here is an exchange between Tyreke Evans and myself in the Kings locker room last night following his amazing half court buzzer beater:
JH: Now, I’m at practice most of the time and I watch you guys shooting those half court shots but…you aren’t usually the one who makes it in first…
Evans (laughing): I just have to get a rhythm. I start out missing, you know, I try to trick them. Once I start missing, they keep going. They make one and I say, keep going. Then I hit about four straight.
JH: How good does it feel to have your team run over and all of you guys huddle up in the corner, celebrating and jumping up and down?
Evans: It felt good, we needed that. We all felt good and that’s how we’re all supposed to live as a team you know, all happy with smiles on our faces. We have a good team on paper, and we just have to go out there and prove it.
JH: Do you think that shot goes a long way towards you being the leader of this team?
Evans: Definitely. Me, just playing to the ability that I can play. Just going out there and trying to take over the game. Like Cisco said in the locker room, they need me so I just have to go out there and play to the best of my ability.
After a shot like that, when his team so desperately needed a victory, you can’t help but think that this might get Tyreke Evans back to the form that won him the rookie of the year last season. Confidence is a fickle thing in the NBA but after last night, it shouldn’t be an issue any longer.
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