Evans Introduced After Agreeing To Three-year, $7.5m Deal

[West]

Evans introduced after agreeing to three-year, $7.5M deal

Associated Press

Updated: July 31, 2008, 8:19 PM ET

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ATLANTA -- Maurice Evans could have taken the road to higher pay with a European team, but decided to keep his roots grounded with the Atlanta Hawks.

Maurice Evans

Evans

Shooting Guard

Atlanta Hawks

Profile

2008 Season Stats GM PPG RPG APG FG% FT%

75 8.9 2.9 1.1 .481 .711

"I had to scratch and claw my way into this league," he said on Thursday. "People from all over the world come to play in the [NBA]. This is a chance to really impact this situation."

The 6-foot-5 Evans signed with the Hawks in hope of replacing reliable sixth-man Josh Childress, who surprisingly bolted for Greece. Evans accepted a three-year deal reportedly for about $7.5 million earlier in the week.

Some would consider Evans to be a downgrade from the younger Childress, a first-round draft pick who averaged in double figures each of his first four seasons. He also scored 11.8 points per game to help the Hawks reach the playoffs for the first time in nine years.

Similar to Childress, Evans can play from either the guard or forward position. But they have different offensive skills. Childress is more of an inside scorer, while Evans favors the perimeter.

Hawks general manager Rick Sund believes Evans can help the team's need for a physical defender and a shooter from 3-point range. In Orlando, Evans shot nearly 49 percent overall and just under 40 percent from beyond the arc.

He started 47 times for the Magic and averaged a career-high 9.3 points last season.

"We didn't have a physical defender at first," Sund said. "He might not be like Bruce Bowens, but he can go in and play tough 'D' like he did for his past teams.

"The only person who really shot 3s was Mike Bibby. This team last year hardly took any 3s. With Maurice, that should change a little."

The Hawks targeted Evans after Childress stunned the team by signing with powerhouse Olympiakos. Childress, a restricted free agent, received a three-year contract worth at least $20 million after taxes.

Evans, who has played in 34 playoff games, should add more experience to a team with only two players -- Joe Johnson and Bibby -- who have reached the second round of the postseason.

"I just want to fit in," Evans said. "With the Eastern Conference getting stronger, I know I can make an impact here."

Evans, who scored a career-best 27 points in an April 15 victory at Atlanta, was impressed with how the Hawks forced the eventual champion Celtics to seven playoff games last season.

"They didn't back down and took Boston to the wire," he said. "It looked like they ran out of gas in the last game. They just were missing an ingredient. Me as a player watching, I was like, 'Man, I wish I was there.'"

Regardless of his role, Evans just wants to bring the tools that helped him fit in with five other teams.

"I'm an Iron Man," he said. "If you want someone to defend, I can do that. If they need outside shooting, I can do that. Whenever they need me, I'm just going to get to work."

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press

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I love this signing. Plus I like his attitude

[Admin]

I definitely like his attitude and while I don't think he will fully replace Childress, I do think that he might have more of an impact on our team since we lack the things that he does well. Hopefully we will see a much more balance offense and defense with him in the game.

[Swish]

Which facet of his game makes you think he can't fully replace Chillz dolfan? I think while older he can step right in, plus he defends better and shoots the long ball much better.

[DJlaysitup]

We will be even more perimeter oriented than last year. Without Chillz who will move without the ball and get stickbacks and the like. We will have some off nights shooting and will look silly unless Woody sets up some plays for Horford and Smoove inside.

Not to be too much of a pessimist - but I can see 10 games (mostly on the road) with under 75 points scored.

That said....If the defense is there we may be able to win 38 -40 games. Morris will be a monster.

[Boomer]

He kinda looks like a boxer to me. Felix Trinidad or something.

...and just looking at Sund rubs me the wrong way now. I already don't like this guy. :angry22:

[Swish]

lol Boomer he look sort of like a twisted politician no?

[Admin]

Which facet of his game makes you think he can't fully replace Chillz dolfan? I think while older he can step right in, plus he defends better and shoots the long ball much better.

We will not be as strong along the baseline and our offensive rebounding and 2nd chance points will also be areas where we are weaker.

I think he makes us a more balanced team on both ends of the floor, he will help our perimeter defense and our 3pt shooting.

[Swish]

You're right on the boards but don't you think his better D and shooting can cancel that out and add some?

[Admin]

You're right on the boards but don't you think his better D and shooting can cancel that out and add some?

Yes, I think our D will improve and I believe that we will also be more efficient on offense since the floor will be a lot more balanced, providing we re-sign Smoove and that he parks his butt in the paint.

[HawkItus]

I think 75 points in any game this year will be a massive FAIL on Woody's part. If we resign smoove he will have no excuses this year. PG? check Scoring? check Defensive stoppers(West, Evans)? check Big bodies(Pachulia, Horford, Morris)? check. Go win. Stop giving excuses.