THE FLATS – Chris Bosh is snubbed once, but not twice for Basketball Hall of Fame … Derrick Favors and his Utah Jazz team roll into the NBA playoffs after winning Western Conference … Thaddeus Young and Josh Okogie are not in the playoffs, but finish their regular seasons with strong performances … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
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CHRIS BOSH SNUBBED ONCE, BUT NOT TWICE
It might be a stretch to apply the words underrated or even underappreciated to Chris Bosh’s basketball career. Only 35 players in NBA history have made the all-star team at least 11 times. Bosh is one.
And yet, when a player achieves his greatest success on a Miami Heat team that includes neon superstars LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, well, there is never a doubt who gets cast as the third of the Big 3.
The idea that Bosh has never quite gotten his full due was underlined a year ago.
He took a gut punch. One he didn’t expect.
Not only was Bosh denied the distinction of being a first-ballot Hall of Famer last year in his first year of eligibility — he didn’t even make the list of finalists. It stunned those in the Heat organization. To not even be a finalist was a hard, blindside slap. An insult.
“I’m not going to lie, man,” Bosh said then. “I’m disappointed that I didn’t even get considered.”
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, based in Springfield, Massachusetts, won’t make the same mistake twice when the 2021 Hall class is announced Sunday.
Read more from the Miami Herald
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FAVORS AND JAZZ ROLL INTO NBA PLAYOFFS
The Utah Jazz led the Western Conference for nearly the entire season, and won their last two regular season game to enter the NBA Playoffs as the top seed, awaiting the survivor of the NBA’s play-in tournament to determine their first-round series opponent (Memphis or Golden State).
Derrick Favors has been a steady contributor off the bench in the post and for the Jazz’ defensive efforts, averaging 5.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and one block per game in 15.3 minutes. He had made 63.8 percent of his field goals.
Favors scored 19 points with 14 rebounds in the Jazz’ final two games, wins over Oklahoma City and Sacramento, hitting 9-of-11 field goals collectively in 28 total minutes.
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YOUNG FINISHES 2020-21 WITH STRONG PERFORMANCE
The Chicago Bulls did not make the NBA playoffs, but Thaddeus Young finished of the Bulls’ season in strong fashion. Young registered 20 points (8-15 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 4-6 FT), seven rebounds, three assists and three blocks across 26 minutes in Sunday’s win over playoff-bound Milwaukee.
Young ended the regular season on a strong note, starting in six of Chicago’s last nine games and scoring in double digits in each one of those contests. The veteran power forward moved between the bench and the starting lineup all season long, and he ended the campaign averaging 12.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.1 steals across 24.3 minutes per game in 68 appearances (23 starts).
Young who has a $6MM partial guarantee on his $14.2MM salary for 2021-22, said today that he hasn’t been told whether or not he’ll be retained, but added that he’s fully committed to the Bulls and that he has had only positive discussions with management and the coaching staff (Twitter link via Johnson).
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YOUNG REMAINS IMPORTANT PIECE OF BULLS’ TEAM
Thad Young has been, especially this season, something of the eminence grise of the Bulls, the wily old veteran player with a coaching mentality who offers a word of advice or two for the kids in the locker room, a direction or two on the court from where to be to what to do and when.
This all while Young was been navigating his 14th NBA season, now more than 1,000 games and still coming off one of his most productive seasons in five years. Coach Billy Donovan has been telling him he could play another five years, which is probably unlikely at 32 while raising a family and building a business of private investments. Young has one season left on his three-year Bulls contract he intends to fulfill, assuming the Bulls guarantee his final season. That still remains uncertain with free agency and roster decisions ahead.
More from Bulls.com (including end-of-season press conference video)
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TIMBERWOLVES END SEASON WITH WIN OVER PLAYOFF-BOUND DALLAS
Minnesota finished off its disappointing 2020-21 season with a 136-121 rout of playoff-bound Dallas, and boosted itself after the All-Star break from last place to 13th in the Western Conference
Josh Okogie averaged 5.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 0.9 steals per game this season, on shooting splits of 40/27/77. Okogie played only 20.3 minutes per game, making 59 appearances, starting in 37 games.
The Timberwolves were one of the worst defensive teams in the NBA this past season – and Okogie, as a high-level wing defender, was one of the best on the team, being able to guard the opponent’s best guard/wing scorer on a night-to-night basis. He remains under contract to Minnesota through next season.
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#ProJackets on Social Media
I’m excited to announce my virtual tour for #LetterstoaYoungAthlete. These virtual events are the best way to get a signed copy of my new book. Keep an eye out for exciting announcements about special guests coming soon! Tickets and info at https://t.co/xOKzmrIKcs @penguinpress pic.twitter.com/ISdjyW3tMg
— Chris Bosh (@chrisbosh) April 23, 2021
Words cannot express my gratitude to everyone who has been on this journey with me. Basketball has been one of the greatest gifts allotted to me in this life. This honor is my legacy. Thank you @Hoophall, @nba + to every one of you that has supported me throughout my career. ☝🏿 pic.twitter.com/iH2UW87drv
— Chris Bosh (@chrisbosh) May 16, 2021
Celebrate this accomplishment but not done yet.. stay focus on the goal!!! Block out the negativity!!! 🙏🏾 blessed to be a part of this journey!! https://t.co/svTK3IK8kT
— Derrick Favors (@dfavors14) May 17, 2021
Kaizen!!! pic.twitter.com/amPbPI44yP
— Derrick Favors (@dfavors14) May 17, 2021
What’s better than granting a scholarship for every Utah Jazz win this season?
Getting to tell the recipients that their life is about to change ❤️ pic.twitter.com/7YPWho77TX
— utahjazz (@utahjazz) May 19, 2021
LIVE – End of Season: Thaddeus Young Press Conference https://t.co/QMxkr7fNxd
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) May 17, 2021
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Check out my Cameo profile: https://t.co/HvYk7cnwWg
— Josh Okogie (@CallMe_NonStop) May 15, 2021
Tv family!
My TV PG’s. SideLineShorty! https://t.co/YYkRBEhiQe— Dennis 3D Scott (@Dennis3DScott) May 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 |
