NBA Roundup: Jawun Evans’ Role Increases, Marcus Smart Calls Out Teammates

Several former Pokes were in action across the NBA landscape over the past week. Jawun Evans’ role continued on an increased usage, Marcus Smart called out his teammates and more.

Here’s the latest from the former Pokes in the Association.

Jawun Evans

Last Week: Clippers 3-1

Evans continues to get more and more opportunities for a Clippers team dealing with injuries. It was a little bit ago, but Evans made a big impact in the Clip’s near come-back victory against Washington back on Dec. 15th.

He had a big game in the Clippers’ win over Houston, scoring 15 points and finishing with a +20 off the bench.

After an impressive win in Houston by the @LAClippers, rookie PG Jawun Evans (@j3vans1_) talks on his defensive effort & the team’s big victory! #NBAPostgame #ItTakesEverything pic.twitter.com/8nXFjf0yWI

— NBA (@NBA) December 23, 2017

Marcus Smart

Last Week: Celtics 1-3

The Celtics are skidding, and Smart called out his team’s effort after a loss to an undermanned Heat team back on Dec. 20th.

“If this isn’t a wake-up call for us, I don’t know what is,” said Smart. “It’s effort. We’re not talking on the defensive end, coming down and playing one-on-one ball. It really comes down to effort. They beat us to a couple of loose balls and wanted it more than us. They got rewarded tonight.”

It doesn’t seem to have worked, as the Celtics lost two of their next three, including a Christmas day home game against the Washington Wizards.

Tony Allen

Last Week: Pelicans 2-1

Allen is still recovering from a fibula fracture and will be out at least another 2-3 weeks.

That didn’t keep him out of the news. In an article commemorating Kobe Bryant’s career for his jersey retirement ceremony, Allen talked about one of the first times the two players faced off.

“I learned my lesson my rookie year (2004, in Boston), when I was talking to him,” Allen said. “He fouled me out in like seven or eight minutes. From that point on, I knew I couldn’t talk to him. He was kind of buttering me up. He’s asking me where am I from, how you doing young fella, where you from, I like your heart, young fella. Before you know it he’s head faked you three times and got the and one off the backboard, came off the pick and roll and dunked on you.”

For those who don’t know, when Kobe retired, he called Tony Allen the “best defender he’s ever faced.”

G-League

The Oklahoma City Blue are 10-10 this season and in the lead of the Midwest Division. They went 2-0 in two games last week, with both victories coming against the Northern Arizona Suns.

Former Cowboy Markel Brown led the Blue in their first win over the Suns with 20 points on 8-14 shooting. Mike Cobbins added four points and eight rebounds in the game.

WINNERS.

Markel Brown drops 20 and the Blue beats the Suns! pic.twitter.com/Z60LBIlHZR

— Oklahoma City Blue (@okcblue) December 20, 2017

In game two, both guys scored double digits with Brown putting up 13/4/5 line while Cobbins had 10 points and four rebounds.