Tyreke Evans says Giannis Antetokounmpo is a taller version of himself and he’s kinda right

Moments after the Milwaukee Bucks’ 116-98 win over the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday, Tyreke Evans had unique commentary on Bucks All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo, comparing the Greek Freak to one talented Kings playmaker: himself.

“I mean, he’s like me but he’s 6’7 ... or 6’8, whatever height he is,” Evans told reporters, according to ABC10. “He’s just long and athletic. He gets to wherever he wants to go. He’s got good handle for his size, and he’s athletic, and once he gets around the rim, he can finish.”

Evans may have undersold Antetokounmpo’s height just a smidgen. Antetokounmpo is listed at 6’11 and has a 7’4 wingspan. The Kings guard is listed at 6’6. If he had the Greek Freak’s height?

“It would be a problem,” Evans joked. “I mean, it still is a problem for me to get where I want, but the athleticism he has and the way he gets up off the ground. He’s got quick bounce. He’s pretty good at it.”

When Evans entered the league in 2009, he was a tweener possessing the skills of a point guard with the size of a two guard.

During his rookie year, he averaged 20 points, nearly six assists, five rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game as the Kings’ point guard. At the time, only Oscar Robertson, Michael Jordan, and LeBron James averaged 20-5-5 through their rookie seasons.

Sacramento, however, never fully committed to Evans as its point guard and moved him to the small forward position in the following seasons. His career never rebounded. Then, the Kings traded him to the Pelicans in 2013, where he’s floundered since. Now, Evans is back in Sacramento, but only until the end of the season.

Antetokounmpo took Evans’ prototype and gave it a system upgrade. He’s averaging 23 points, 8.5 rebounds, and five assists as the primary ball handler in Milwaukee, getting the first nod as an All-Star starter in his four-year career. He posted 32 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists in the Bucks’ win over the Kings.

So yes, Antetokounmpo, in some sense, is a taller, more athletic version of Evans. But he’s also got a team that’s committed to him for the future, as well.