While Reggie Evans won't win any scoring titles or have his play featured on SportsCenter, the Philadelphia fans have adopted him as their new favorite 76er. Evans is all about effort and hustle, which is why he's becoming so popular in Philly.
"That's Philly for you," Evans said. "Philly likes hard workers. They want to see good results, some hard work. This is a blue-collar city. We have something in common. They appreciate me and I appreciate them." A starter for the season's first 44 games, Evans has brought energy in coming off the bench in 14 of the last 16 games since rookie Thaddeus Young was inserted into the first five (the Sixers are 11-5 since the switch).
While Evans is a very good rebounder -- he ranks 10th in the league with an average of 15.7 boards per 48 minutes this season -- the biggest boost he has provided is with his trapping defense. Evans has the green light to double-team opposing guards at any time and anywhere on the floor. The result has been a bunch of steals and easy baskets at the other end.
Evans received a huge ovation from the Philly fans in the third quarter of the Feb. 27 victory over the Magic. He hustled back to get his hands on a loose ball, tipped it away from Orlando's Jameer Nelson, fell to the ground, jumped up and headed down the floor. The Sixers faithful roared their approval.
"Reggie Evans allows us to get into a press, even after made baskets," said Sixers coach Maurice Cheeks. "That's how Reggie has to play. If he's not playing that way, we're not utilizing his talents."
Evans continued to make an impact with 13 points on 6-for-6 shooting, a game-high 13 rebounds and a game-high four steals in Saturday's 119-114 victory over the Suns.
SIXERS 119, SUNS 114: Philly registered its most impressive victory of the season by winning at Phoenix. The Sixers hadn't prevailed at US Airways Arena since Jan. 2, 2002.
The Sixers (27-33) recorded 13 steals to the Suns' two, committed only 10 turnovers to the Suns' 18 and shot .567 (51-of-90).
"We just put a tremendous effort in today," said Andre Iguodala. "You've got to give us some credit."
Iguodala tallied 32 points on 15-for-23 shooting. Andre Miller added 25 points and 12 assists, while Willie Green contributed 17 points. Reggie Evans chipped in 13 points on 6-for-6 shooting, 13 rebounds and four steals, Lou Williams had 13 points and Thaddeus Young ended up with 12.
One night earlier, the Warriors hammered the Sixers by 22 points.
"The way we played last night, to come back and play the way with the energy we had against a team like Phoenix, is huge for us," said Sixers head coach Maurice Cheeks.
The Sixers, who close out the three-game trip Monday against the Clippers, won for the eighth straight time -- and 12th time in 13 tries -- in the second game of back-to-back situations.
