Kids are starting to follow Chester's Evans

DALLAS - Tyreke Evans has experienced NBA All-Star weekend once before - all the way back in 2002 when he was just a little kid and the game was played in Philadelphia at the then-First Union Center.

Ah, youth.

Evans is in the midst of his first All-Star experience as a professional, playing with the rookie team in the Mobile Rookie Challenge and Youth Jam last night at American Airlines Center.

Evans scored a team-high 26 points as the Rookies beat the Sophomores, 140-128.

"I was at the one in Philly when I was a kid," said Evans, the Chester native and American Christian High graduate. "I went to the Jam Fest, but man, this is a different feeling to be here. Back then, I met Allen Iverson and Kobe [Bryant], but that was pretty much it. I was just happy to be in the gym. And when I saw those players, man, it just put a smile on my face."

Evans hasn't forgotten that moment, and he probably never will, despite all the memories he's sure to accumulate during his playing career. It was the reason for his activities on Thursday.

"I came [to Dallas] on Thursday and met with some kids and was able to put a smile on their face, so that was cool," he said.

Evans is the odds-on-favorite to be named Rookie of the Year. He is averaging 20.3 points, 5.1 assists and 4.8 rebounds. He said all the politically correct things yesterday during media availability, particularly when it came to the possibility of getting that top rookie award.

"I mean, it's an honor to be mentioned as possible Rookie of the Year, but the main thing is to get the Sacramento Kings as many wins as possible. We were struggling but we got two road wins [against Detroit and New York] before the break, so that was big. Hopefully when the break ends we can come out strong."

He is tabbed as the savior of a Kings team that is in full rebuilding mode. He hasn't disappointed, although he is still learning the nuances of being an NBA toddler.

"The hardest part is that the guys are older, they're pretty much used to [playing a full 82-game season]. Last year I played 30 games [at the University of Memphis] and this year I have to go out and play [82]. That's tough. And the veterans have a lot of tricks. They grab your jersey, they know other things to do, it's pretty tough.

"I don't believe in the rookie wall. It's just how you go out there and play. You can't go out there and say that you're tired, you have to go out there and know that you're going to play the game of basketball and make sure you have a lot of energy."

Evans was still waiting for family and friends to get down here from Philadelphia, since many flights were canceled Thursday. Once they arrive, the schedule will be easy.

"When they get down here we'll just hang together and spend some time together and have some fun," Evans said.

He better get used to this NBA All-Star weekend thing. Chances are he'll be participating in it for many years to come.

While the sophomores had their 45-minute "practice" at the Dallas Convention Center, coach Patrick Ewing sat on the side and watched while his players basically shot around and practiced trick shots. When the rookies took the court for their practice, coach Adrian Dantley set up a few offensive sets and had a couple of meetings with the players . . . Speaking of trick shots, Golden State Warriors rookie Stephen Curry made two straight shots from three-quarter court . . . Affable second-year player Kevin Love, of the Minnesota Timberwolves, said this about last night's game: "We are huge. We have me and Danilo Gallinari, who are both 6-10, and a couple of 7-footers in Marc Gasol and Brook Lopez. The rookies, with the exception of Tyreke Evans, they have smaller players. They have Taj Gibson, who's a taller player [6-9], but he's kind of skinny, frail, weak. I think DeJuan Blair is an absolute beast, but he's only 6-7. They could catch fire, but I think we got this one."