THE FLATS – Derrick Favors reflects on some of his most memorable moments with the Jazz … Thaddeus Young called Memphis’ most underappreciated basketball star … Josh Okogie back in the Wolves’ lineup, continues to lead efforts to support families of Floyd and Wright … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
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FAVORS REFLECTS ON MOST MEMORABLE JAZZ MOMENTS
Last week, Derrick Favors became the 10th leading scorer in Utah Jazz franchise history.
For him, this wasn’t something that he expected. When you think of Derrick Favors, you think about the athleticism, the rebounding, the defense and the rim protection. What you don’t think about is the scoring.
But Favors’ longevity with the Jazz is one of his most impressive accomplishments. He’s spent all but a year and a half of his career with Utah. He’s the last remaining member of the Jazz from the Kevin O’Connor era. And he’s still not yet 30 years old.
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FAVORS RETURNS TO COURT FOR JAZZ
Derrick Favors was cleared to return to the court Monday against the Lakers, after experiencing issues with his sore knee that forced him to miss two games.
Favors felt good during pregame warmups and has since been cleared to take the court Monday night. He’s come off the bench in eight games during the month of April and is averaging 4.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.4 blocks across 14.6 minutes.
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THADDEUS YOUNG IS MOST UNDERAPPRECIATED MEMPHIS STAR
The initial explanation Thaddeus Young gave for his longevity in the NBA was likely as accurate as it was boring, and so it’s also probably the reason why his longevity in the NBA sometimes gets overlooked, even here in Memphis where he grew up.
“I would just say health. I think the longevity has come from just me being healthy,” Young said earlier this week. “But I put a lot of time in in the offseason, so I don’t have to play catchup in the regular season. When people are going to clubs and hanging out, I’m literally in the gym all day working out.”
Young, the 32-year-old former McDonald’s All-American from Mitchell High School, will face the Memphis Grizzlies for the second time in five nights Friday in Chicago, and it’s another chance for the city that groomed Young to savor what he became, and what he’s still doing.
More from the Memphis Commercial Appeal
Wow. Really honored by the words of my teammate and lil bro @ZachLaVine … It’s been great having the opportunity to watch you grow and shine. So much more to come. 🔥 #Bullsnation #repost @chicagobulls pic.twitter.com/r9u2n4tZVV
— Thad Young (@yungsmoove21) April 15, 2021
Thad from the logo! @yungsmoove21 pic.twitter.com/ApczZmWw7L
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) April 19, 2021
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YOUNG PUTS UP 17 OFF THE BENCH
Thaddeus Young registered 17 points (8-15 FG, 1-1 3Pt), six rebounds and four assists across 22 minutes off the bench in Friday’s loss against Memphis.
Young returned to the bench after starting 10 games in a row, and the move paid off for the veteran. After posting three single-digit scoring games over his previous four appearances, Young bounced back and reached the 15-point mark for just the third time in the current month. The ability to produce is still there, but it remains to be seen whether the move to the second unit was a one-time thing or if it’ll be permanent.
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WHERE IS THADDEUS YOUNG?
there is a question that must be asked after the team’s most recent stretch of games. Where exactly is Thaddeus Young, or what is going on with him?
Prior to the deadline, it was arguable Young was the team’s second-best player on the season. At worst he would be ranked as the third-best player. Now, he remains a starter but seems to have disappeared from a team that held onto him prior to the deadline despite his value on the trade market.
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OKOGIE SINKS THREE-POINTERS
Josh Okogie finished with 13 points (4-6 FG, 3-4 3PT, 2-2 FT), two rebounds and two blocks in a 130-105 loss to the Bucks last Wednesday.
In the Timberwolves‘ last four games, Okogie’s started and been a force defensively for his team, averaging 2.3 steals and 1.0 blocks over that stretch. The 22-year-old’s shot effectively from deep, making exactly 50 percent of his three-pointers in April. As long as Okogie can stay healthy, expect the forward to remain in the starting rotation for the rest of the season.
Josh is PLUS-21 tonight.
Here’s a big reason why. pic.twitter.com/GBGURhX4nb
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) April 21, 2021
The Nigerian Clampgawd on one end.
McSlamiels on the other. pic.twitter.com/jHSoNVWaXG— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) April 21, 2021
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OKOGIE HEADS TIMBERWOLVES’ AUCTION TO RAISE MONEY FOR FAMILY
Timberwolves forward Josh Okogie gives a large portion of his time trying to figure out different ways to help others around him. He helped lead food and clothes drives last summer to provide for those in need.
After a tragedy occurs, one of Okogie’s first thoughts is always “What can I do right now to help?”
Peter Warden, the team’s equipment manager, approached Okogie prior to Tuesday’s game against Brooklyn and showed him a potential warmup shirt. It read “With Liberty and Justice FOR ALL.”
“Would you wear this?” Warden asked Okogie.
“Yeah,” Okogie said. “We need to get the whole team to wear it.”
https://t.co/HZ88bx6JG9 Following tonight game !! Let’s make a difference! pic.twitter.com/nwoUyLPvvA
— Josh Okogie (@CallMe_NonStop) April 16, 2021
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TIMBERWOLVES FEEL “SENSE OF RELIEF”
Josh Okogie didn’t want to hear the verdict in the trial of Derek Chauvin Tuesday afternoon, so Okogie took his usual pregame nap before the Timberwolves played the Kings that night.
Okogie said he hoped the verdict would be an important moment in reversing trends of police avoiding conviction in similar cases.
“There’s a lot of reform that needs to be made,” Okogie said. “Police reform is one of them. There’s also educational reform. There’s a whole bunch of different ones, but I think focusing on police reform, this is a good first step.”
The Timberwolves dedicated Tuesday night’s game ball to Floyd’s family, small forward Josh Okogie said.
More from Minneapolis Star-Tribune
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#ProJackets on Social Media
You’re here to PLAY BIG. A reminder today: be fueled by PURPOSE and PASSION. If you’re in the middle of a challenge, there’s a bigger message waiting for you. 👊🏿#LettersToaYoungAthlete @penguinpress pic.twitter.com/VBHoUye0xY
— Chris Bosh (@chrisbosh) April 13, 2021
On this day 25 years ago, Dennis Scott broke the then NBA record for made 3-pointers in a game by knocking down 11 as the Orlando Magic topped the Atlanta Hawks, 119-104: https://t.co/y4iUQzrn2T #MagicTogether pic.twitter.com/Gj3mqZasRB
— Mike Ferguson (@MikeWFerguson) April 18, 2021
MyMan! https://t.co/bEWzuSTblW
— Dennis 3D Scott (@Dennis3DScott) April 19, 2021
#PROJACKETS IN THE NBA/G LEAGUE IN 2023-24
| PLAYER | DATA | NUMBERS | TEAM |
|---|---|---|---|
 | JOSE ALVARADO Team: New Orleans Pelicans Number: 15 NBA Experience: 3rd year Years at Georgia Tech: 2017-21 Hometown: Brooklyn, N.Y. Status: Active | 6-0, 179 lbs 2023-24 Stats 7.1 ppg 2.3 rpg 2.1 apg 41.2% FG | Record: 49-33 Standing: 7th place, -8.0 GB Streak: L1 Last 10: 5-5 |
 | JAMES BANKS III Team: Maine Celtics Number: 5 G League Experience: 3rd year Years at Georgia Tech: 2018-20 Hometown: Atlanta, Ga. Status: Active | 6-10, 250 lbs 2023-24 Stats 5.3 ppg 4.7 rpg 1.5 bpg 54.2% FG | Record: 21-13 Standing: 2nd place, -1.0 GB Streak: W1 Last 10: 8-2 |
 | MICHAEL DEVOE Team: Memphis Hustle Number: 10 G League Experience: 2nd year Years at Georgia Tech: 2017-21 Hometown: Orlando, Fla. Status: Active | 6-4, 183 lbs 2023-24 Stats 13.9 ppg 3.9 rpg 3.1 apg 47.4% FG | Record: 15-19 Standing: 12th, -9.0 GB Streak: W1 Last 10: 3-7 |
 | DERRICK FAVORS Team: Windy City Bulls (G League) Number: 14 NBA Experience: 12 seasons Years at Georgia Tech: 2009-10 Hometown: Atlanta, Ga. Status: Active | 6-9, 265 lbs 2023-24 Stats 6.2 ppg 4.7 rpg 0.7 bpg 66.7% FG | Record: 15-19 Standing: 13th place, -7.0 GB Streak: L1 Last 10: 4-6 |
 | JOSH OKOGIE Team: Phoenix Suns Number: 2 NBA Experience: 5 seasons Years at Georgia Tech: 2016-18 Hometown: Snellville, Ga. Status: Active | 6-4, 213 lbs 2023-24 Stats 4.6 ppg 2.6 rpg 1.1 apg 41.7% FG | Record: 49-33 Standing: 6th place, -8.0 GB Streak: W3 Last 10: 7-3 |
 | THADDEUS YOUNG Team: free agent Number: 30 NBA Experience: 16 seasons Years at Georgia Tech: 2006-07 Hometown: Memphis, Tenn. Status: Active | 6-8, 235 lbs 2023-24 Stats 4.2 ppg 3.0 rpg 1.7 apg 60.2% FG | Record: 49-33 Standing: 6th place, -8.0 GB Streak: W3 Last 10: 7-3 |
