THE FLATS – Iman Shumpert made his debut on “Dancing with the Stars” Monday night, earning rave reviews but a low score from the judges … Derrick Favors has a chance to revitalize his career in Oklahoma City … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
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IMAN SHUMPERT WAS ROBBED ON ‘DTWS’ AFTER ABSOLUTELY KILLNG IT
It was the season premiere of Dancing With the Stars on Monday night, and everyone in the sports world is taking about Iman Shumpert, who lit the floor on fire.
Dancing the jive to “Hey Ya!” by Outkast, Shump showed some SERIOUS footwork that kind of blew everyone away. It’s also prompted a bit of a judging controversy, with fans of the show very upset that Shumpert and partner Daniella Karagach were only given a 4/10 for their routine by one judge, and a 21/40 overall.
Fans were upset over the score.
The overwhelming sentiment from close watchers of the show is that Shumpert has more potential than any athlete in years on Dancing with the Stars. Of course, we’re biased here because we like Shump, but I think he should have gotten a 40/40 and it not even be close.
You can watch the full dance from the former NBA guard here:
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WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT IMAN SHUMPERT AND ‘DTWS’
It’s pretty standard for every season of Dancing With the Stars to have an athlete contestant, and for season 30, Iman Shumpert is the guy for the job. The basketball player will be hitting the dance floor for the competition, which premieres on Sept. 20 at 8:00 p.m. on ABC. Iman is much more than just a basketball player, though! He’s dabbled in other aspects of the entertainment industry, and is known for his close relationship with his wife and daughters. Ahead of the big DWTS premiere, learn more about Iman Shumpert, his family and career below!
Rodney Ho from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution predicted Shumpert and his partner Daniella Karagach would make an early exit from the competition…
“Iman, 31, dressed like OutKast star Andre 3000 from the “Hey Ya!” video, is fun to watch during this performance. He is all legs and has a cool, sure presence even if he is a bit flat-footed at points. I am sure Len Goodman is not going to like the looseness of his technique.
PARTNER ASSESSMENT: He has a large height difference with his partner Daniella, who finished third with Nelly her first season on the show last year. That could be problematic visually at times.
JUDGES: Bruno said the jive is tough for tall people but he liked how Iman was light and nimble even if his feet were off. Carrie called him “stylish and smooth” and complimented Daniella’s choreography. Len said it was “too loose” and “the technique was poor.” (I called that one almost to a tee!). Derek said he was comfortable and while he agreed with some of Len’s critiques, still liked it. (Carrie Ann: 7 Len: 4 Derek: 5 Bruno: 5 Total: 21. It’s rare to see two judges have such a wide variance in opinion.)”
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FAVORS HAS PRIME OPPORTUNITY TO REVITALIZE CAREER IN OKC
This season, Derrick Favors will have that opportunity as he will once again be in a starting role on the young Thunder roster.
Things really started to click for Favors in the 2013-14 season, which was the first year in which he became a consistent starter. At just 22 years old and a member of the Utah Jazz, the former No. 3 overall pick would start in all 77 games that he played in. At the time, he primarily played power forward, but was also a viable center as well.
For the next six seasons in Utah, Favors started 392 of the 412 contests he appeared in, averaging 13.3 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. From there, he played the 2019-20 season with the New Orleans Pelicans, starting at center and averaging 9.0 points and 9.8 rebounds per game.
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PROJECTING THE OKC DEPTH CHART
Mainly due to lack of competition for the starting job, Derrick Favors will be forced to start and play a ton of minutes at center this season. Although undersized at 6-foot-9, Favors is incredibly strong and an effective traditional center, even in the modern NBA.
Before last season in New Orleans, Favors was a guy who consistently started most games he played in the seven years prior. In fact, he’s got 485 career starts under his belt, which will only increase this season with the Thunder as their main center.
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#ProJackets on Social Media
#BoshHoF and the last two weeks have flown by in the blink of an eye. Grateful for the memories and the love I was surrounded in! pic.twitter.com/GUk9pDP9vA
— Chris Bosh (@chrisbosh) September 20, 2021
Elite performer on and off the court 🕺 @imanshumpert #TogetherWeSwarm pic.twitter.com/AvoXRIlGHO
— Georgia Tech Men’s Basketball (@GTMBB) September 21, 2021
🕺Shake it, shake it, shake it🕺@imanshumpert clearly understood the assignment! ☑️ #DWTS pic.twitter.com/FumFzy9Seh
— Dancing with the Stars #DWTS (@DancingABC) September 21, 2021
Josh Okogie FG% within 4 feet of the rim in 2020-21, by month:
December/January: 71% (20/28)
February: 48% (14/29)
March: 45% (5/11)
April: 65% (22/34)
May: 67% (8/12) pic.twitter.com/EV2p6ffnsh— Timberwolves Clips (@WolvesClips) September 20, 2021
Who I Do It For ❣️ pic.twitter.com/9njaQlTqdy
— Jose Alvarado (@AlvaradoJose15) September 9, 2021
Football season, Basketball season, ManCave or your office! #ShootersParadiseChair @Zipchair 🔥🔥🔥 #LeaveIt Promo Code NBAFamily! pic.twitter.com/rF57IUMhSf
— Dennis 3D Scott (@Dennis3DScott) September 22, 2021
Eurobasket Yellow Jacket Report
Georgia Tech players who play in pro basketball:
- Brandon Alston (6’5”-G-95) signed for Kauhajoki in Finnish Korisliiga
- Jose Alvarado (6’0”-PG-98) played for New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA Summer League
- Alade Aminu (6’10”-F/C-87, graduated ’09, plays Atleticos de San German in Puerto Rico
- James Banks (6’10”-F/C-98) played for Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Summer League
- Derrick Favors (6’10”-F-91) signed for Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA
- Joshua Heath (6’2”-PG-94) plays for Stella Artois Leuven Bears in Belgian BNXT League
- Jarrett Jack (6’3”-G-83) plays for Trilogy in the Big3
- Evan Jester (6’7”-F-99) plays for Team Miami in the Eurobasket S.League
- Ben Lammers (6’10”-C-95) plays for ALBA Berlin in German BBL
- Gani Lawal (6’9”-F/C-88) signed for Champagne Chalons-Reims Basket in French Betclic ELITE ProA
- Daniel Miller (6’11”-C-91) signed for Levanga Hokkaido Sapporo in Japanese B1 League
- Charles Mitchell (6’8”-F/C-93) plays for Dorados de Chihuahua in Mexico
- Josh Okogie (6’4”-G-98) plays for Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA
- Zachery Peacock (6’8”-F/C-87) signed for Le Mans Sarthe Basket in French Betclic ELITE ProA
- Shembari Phillips (6’3”-G-97) signed for Eisbaeren Bremerhaven in German ProA
- Glen Rice Jr. (6’6”-F-91) plays for Real Esteli in Nicaraguan LSB
- Adam Smith (6’1”-PG-92) signed for Merkezefendi Belediyesi Denizli Basket in Turkish BSL
- James White (6’9”-F-93) plays for Mauricio Baez in Dominican Rep. TBS
- Moses Wright (6’9”-F-98) signed for Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA
- Thaddeus Young (6’8”-F-88) signed for San Antonio Spurs in the NBA
#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 |
