Nissan #ProJackets Basketball Report

May 18, 2017

By Wiley Ballard –

Iman Shumpert and the Cleveland Cavaliers downed top-seeded Boston in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals Wednesday night … Derrick Favors sets goals for the summer before his eighth professional season … Chris Bosh and the Miami Heat are burying the hatchet before parting ways this offseason … All of that and more can be found in this week’s Nissan #ProJackets Basketball Report.

Chris Bosh and the Miami Heat have reportedly mended their strained relationship in the past few weeks. Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald reports that there’s been “direct contact between Bosh and the top of the organization.” The Heat will release Bosh during the offseason with two years remaining on his contract.

Derrick Favors concluded the most “difficult season of his professional life” 10 days ago in a home loss to Golden State. The forward battled nagging leg injuries and continuous back pain while missing more than 30 regular season games. Favors states his goal for the offseason is to lose 20 pounds and improve his three-point shooting. The guard will head home to Atlanta before beginning his eighth NBA season this fall.

Iman Shumpert and the Cleveland Cavaliers seized Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals with authority Wednesday night. In 24 minutes Shumpert scored three points, but his defensive prowess continues to earn praise from head coach Tyronn Lue. The lockdown defender suggested that his journey into fatherhood has helped him strengthen his focus saying, “there’s no feeling like having your child look at the screen if they’re not there or being at the game and just seeing their father play.” The guard also gave his take on the Western Conference’s escalating drama following Kawhi Leonard’s knee injury. When asked about the Zaza Pachulia’s controversial close out, Shumpert exonerated the technique explaining, “We don’t need the league putting in any more fouls and advantages for offensive players… A guy rolls his ankle, it’s incidental. It happens in this game.” It’s hardly an unreasonable take from Shumpert who’s made a living making opposing shooters uncomfortable. The Cavaliers will again take the parquet floor Friday night in Boston for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals at 8:30 p.m. ET on TNT.

These playoffs these playoffs these playoffs!

— Iman Shumpert I (@imanshumpert) May 13, 2017