April 28, 2016
By Wiley Ballard –
Iman Shumpert and the Cleveland Cavaliers disposed of the Detroit Pistons in clean four-game sweep… In his first trip to the playoffs, Anthony Morrow and the Oklahoma City Thunder eliminated the Dallas Mavericks in five games … Chris Bosh will not return for Miami’s do-or-die Game 6 tomorrow night in Charlotte … All of that and more can be found in this week’s edition of the Nissan #ProJackets Report.
Chris Bosh – With their backs up against the wall following last night’s home loss to Charlotte, the Miami Heat are facing more pressure than ever to bring back Chris Bosh. Bosh’s wife, Adrienne, sent this tweet in support of her husband. On the flip side, the Heat organization continues to list Bosh as “out indefinitely.” In the past 24 hours the coverage of the conflict has intensified with Tracy McGrady weighing in on ESPN. Miami will take the court tomorrow night in Charlotte needing a victory to force a decisive game seven on Sunday. The game time has not been announced as of this writing.
Derrick Favors – Utah finished just one game shy of qualifying for the playoffs for the first time since 2012. The Jazz can only imagine the impact a fully healthy Derrick Favors might have made in place of another disappointing season. The forward battled back spasms and knee soreness throughout the year and missed 20 games. In 62 games, the 24 year-old started 59 games, averaged a career-best 16.4 points and played more than 32 minutes per night. The low post also shot over 50 percent for the third straight season.
Jarrett Jack – Jarrett Jack underwent season-ending knee surgery in Manhattan this past January. Officially diagnosed with a torn anterior cruciate ligament, the point guard anticipates a full recovery and plans to return for the 2016-17 season. Jack’s season averages in 32 games as the Brooklyn Nets starting point guard were 12.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg and a team-high 7.4 apg.
Anthony Morrow – After Dallas stole Game 2 in Oklahoma City, the Thunder travelled to Dallas last week with the series knotted at one game apiece. Over the next three games, Oklahoma City shot 53.7 percent from the floor and won three straight to send Dallas home early. After scoring 13 points in the series’ first two games, Anthony Morrow played just four minutes in Game 3 and did not see the hardwood in the final two contests. Oklahoma City will open their second round series in San Antonio this Saturday night and look to reach the conference finals for the first time since 2014.
Iman Shumpert – Iman Shumpert did not play a major role in Cleveland’s opening round sweep of Detroit. The shooting guard logged just over 15 minutes per game and a series-low nine minutes in the clinching 100-98 win on Sunday. Cleveland will face the winner of the Atlanta-Boston series which continues tonight at 8pm on TNT at the TD Garden. Regardless of whom the Cavaliers face in the Eastern Conference semifinals, the series will begin on Monday May 2at Quicken Loans Arena.
Thaddeus Young – The Brooklyn Nets were never considered serious playoff contenders at any point in 2015-16. After firing Lionel Hollins in mid-January, the Nets officially announced that Atlanta Hawks assistant Kenny Atkinson will be Brooklyn’s new head coach. Atkinson will assume his new duties following the conclusion of the Hawks playoff run. In 73 games, Thaddeus Young offered one of the few bright spots in an otherwise hopeless season averaging 15.1 points, 9.0 rebounds and netting 28 double-doubles.
