THE FLATS – Derrick Favors giving Utah Jazz major boost off the bench in opening playoff series … Thaddeus Young makes the rounds following end of Bulls’ season … Josh Okogie reflects on his African upbringing … Chris Bosh dishes on his diet … Marcus Georges-Hunt remembered in Minnesota … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
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FAVORS BIG OFF THE BENCH AGAIN FOR JAZZ IN GAME 4
Utah Jazz big man Derrick Favors gave his team a big boost off the bench in the first quarter of Game 4 against the Grizzlies.
Favors dropped six straight points off the bench to help the Jazz with offensive production with Rudy Gobert on the bench.
It all started with a tip-in after Donovan Mitchell missed a floater in the lane with 5:14 left in the opening quarter to give the Jazz a 19-16 lead.
After Dillon Brooks had a dunk on the other end, Joe Ingles and Favors ran their famous pick-and-roll in consecutive plays. Favors has been a massive addition this season for the Jazz after returning to the organization following a one-year stint with the New Orleans Pelicans.
6 straight points for Fav 😁 pic.twitter.com/rDoyA46uhQ
— utahjazz (@utahjazz) June 1, 2021
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FAVORS REMEMBERS JAZZ LEGEND MARK EATON
Derrick Favors, who had spent 8.5 years with the Jazz before being traded to New Orleans a year ago, then coming back this season, said after shootaround that Eaton (who passed away over the weekend following a bicycle accident) was a frequent presence in his early development.
“He was always at games early in my career, and he just used to always come up to me and give me advice about certain things,” Favors said. “You know, we just used to talk, and he’d tell stories.”
Favors, who stands 6-foot-9 and weighs about 265 pounds, recalled how Eaton was one of the few people he’d ever come across who could make him feel small.
“I mean, he was how tall — 7-3, 7-4? Yeah, 7-4. The only other player that I played against that was taller than that was Yao Ming, my rookie year,” Favors said. “He was a big guy, he was a big guy. There was a reason why he was one of the best shot-blockers in the NBA at his time.”
More from the Salt Lake Tribune
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BREAKING DOWN DEFENSIVE EXCELLENCE OF JOSE ALVARADO
He’s not yet officially a pro, but Jose Alvarado is on the early entry list for the NBA Draft (along with teammate Moses Wright) and has drawn praise for his defensive prowess…
“When you’re watching prospects that are projected to go late in the 2nd round or have to dive into the pool of uncertainty known as being an undrafted free agent, it’s rare to see a player that just jumps off the screen for one reason or another. However, impressing for being great at a particular skill is different from being fantastic enough at one particular skill that your work is able to tattoo yourself into the cerebral cortex.
“An example of a prospect that falls into that second and special category is Georgia Tech guard Jose Alvarado, who is currently testing the NBA Draft warters after signing an agent but has kept his eligibility open. Despite being a 23-year-old that would enter his fifth season if he returns to school, not fully jumping into the draft just yet is a smart decision for a prospect that you can only find on expanded top-100 big boards, where he sits 63rd and 92nd on CBS Sports and ESPN’s big boards, respectively.”
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GEORGES-HUNT REMEMBERED AS A TIMBERWOLF
From Jack Borman of CanisHoopus.com: In a close battle, Marcus Georges-Hunt beats out Gorgui Dieng and Corey Brewer to earn my vote for Greatest Timberwolf of All-Time. If you’re wondering “Who on Earth is Marcus Georges-Hunt?” then you must be new here. And that is perfectly okay, because you’ll get a nice introduction.
Georges-Hunt was a member of the Timberwolves for one season (2017-18). He appeared in 42 games, averaging 1.4 points, 0.4 rebounds, 0.2 assists, 0.1 steals, 0.0 blocks and 0.1 turnovers in 5.3 minutes per game.
He played in just one game in the D-League, but made his impression, scoring 34 points (10/16 FG, 12/12 FT), and recording four rebounds, three steals, and a block in 40 minutes.
Despite playing in an NBA game for more than 10 minutes just once in the first half of the season, the Jimmy Butler understudy won fans over in the season’s second half with his physicality on both ends, defensive effort and ability to get to the free throw line. He earned calls from fans to play more after Shabazz Muhammad fell out of the rotation and fans grew weary of Jamal Crawford’s poor defense.
The hysteria began on January 20, 2018, during what is now known as “The Marcus Georges-Hunt Game,” for which Jimmy Butler was out with an injury. He had 12 points, three rebounds and two assists in 29:21 of play. To seal his fate as a fan favorite, he took a game-clinching charge late in the game.
The craze culminated on March 24, 2018. After the Wolves trailed by as much as 29, MGH led a bench rally, during which he had 11 points on 3/4 FG (5/5 FT), two rebounds and two steals. He was a +16 in 14:43 of play in what ended as a 12-point loss at the Philadelphia 76ers.
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CHRIS BOSH DISHES ON HIS DIET
Even though he’s retired now, Chris Bosh still wants to stay in prime, fighting shape. Men’s Health magazine met up with the former Miami Heat player to learn how he fuels his body right, now that he’s no longer on the court.
The most important meal of the day for the 37-year-old starts with… supplements. Chlorophyll, magnesium, MCT oil, to be exact. “The beginning of the day, I want to get everything I need right now, so the rest of the day is smooth sailing,” he told Men’s Health.
As for breakfast, this basketball star mostly sticks to greek yogurt filled with mixed nuts, granola, berries, and of course, local-grown honey. “I try to get all that in because it’s good for protein, fiber, probiotics, Omega 3’s,” he said. “I’m getting that nice fuel with those complex carbs in there to aid me during the workout.”
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#ProJackets on Social Media
All love my brother @Stacey21King respect ✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾 https://t.co/9Z3cihrrJV
— Thad Young (@yungsmoove21) June 2, 2021
Year 15 gonna be 🔥🔥🔥 https://t.co/D45pxkA3ct
— Thad Young (@yungsmoove21) June 2, 2021
Well that’s a first 🛼
Having just finished up his 14th NBA Season, current #ChicagoBulls MVP (in the words of Zach LaVine), Thaddeus Young joins #roadtrippin 🎉 📲 @yungsmoove21
RT is fueled by @FanDuel @FDSportsbook 💰
📺 https://t.co/kjVktalMT5 pic.twitter.com/C185jXrNJx
— Road Trippin’ Show🎧 (@RoadTrippinPod) June 2, 2021
Regular season Derrick Favors vs Playoff Derrick Favors pic.twitter.com/DQGllq80Yp
— Ben (@Sneaky__Ben) June 1, 2021
🇳🇬🐺 @CallMe_NonStop of the @Timberwolves reflects on the African influence in his upbringing and the connection he has with other African players in the league#AfricaDay 👉🏾 #AfricaWeek pic.twitter.com/XW853c2Hgk
— NBA Africa (@NBA_Africa) May 28, 2021
.@ChrisBosh on the emotional pain of sudden retirement, how Pat Riley helped him bounce back, the Big Three, recognizing and killing ego, getting into the Hall of Fame, writing a new book, and so much more.
LISTEN: https://t.co/ykRGPjb8N4 pic.twitter.com/5FQAWXj2Hx
— Jim Rome (@jimrome) June 3, 2021
For @MensJournal, I talked with @chrisbosh about his excellent new book and life after basketball. (And, yes, he's still better at French horn than you.) https://t.co/WtMU4PRkdH
— Pete Croatto (@PeteCroatto) June 2, 2021
SideLineShorty! 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/ThuHAtr8qq
— Dennis 3D Scott (@Dennis3DScott) June 3, 2021
Game 4! Clippers/Mavericks SideLineShorty is back 🔥#LeaveIt @NBAonTNT pic.twitter.com/uKqAv6yzLt
— Dennis 3D Scott (@Dennis3DScott) May 31, 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 |
