THE FLATS – Iman Shumpert continues to celebrate win in “Dancing with the Stars” … Josh Okogie and the Wolves get above .500 … Thaddeus Young frustrated with playing time but defers to Spurs rebuild … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
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EMOTIONAL SHUMPERT WRITES HEARTFELT NOTE AFTER WINNING “DTWS”
Iman Shumpert is still spinning with emotions after winning this season of “Dancing With the Stars” earlier this week.
The 2016 NBA champion wrote a heartfelt note about his momentous win in an Instagram post on Wednesday. His win marks the first time an NBA player has won the show’s championship mirrorball trophy.
“Thank you to everyone involved in this show, I met incredible people that I won’t forget or ever stop rooting for!” wrote Shumpert, who most recently played with the Brooklyn Nets. “To have done most the lifting all season and then be lifted off of my feet in triumph from this kick ass cast put a lot into perspective for me!”
Shumpert gave a shoutout to his upbringing in Oak Park, a suburb of Chicago, and thanked his fellow contestants, the judges and the show’s producers for pushing him to win.
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JOSH OKOGIE HELPS WOLVES GET ABOVE .500
The Wolves, winners of six of their last seven games, started Monday’s contest minus starters Patrick Beverley (groin injury) and Vanderbilt and top reserve McDaniels. The Wolves were without three of their top defenders, a group that regularly provides the energy the Wolves feed off.
Who would make up the slack? Just about everyone in Minnesota’s 100-98 victory.
Back in the starting lineup, Josh Okogie’s defense caused Indiana’s Chris Duarte to melt down, get called for two technical fouls and get ejected in the second half. His block on Pacers forward Justin Holiday with 30.1 seconds left might have saved the victory.
More from the Minneapolis Star-Tribune
Watch Okogie’s incredible crunch-time block to help the Timberwolves defeat the Pacers
KAT gets crafty with this dime to Josh Okogie!
Watch for 50% off on NBA League Pass: https://t.co/w2ntIgyLjw pic.twitter.com/zjnw7jzDym
— NBA (@NBA) November 30, 2021
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WHO SHOULD BE THE SPURS’ FIRST BIG MAN OFF THE BENCH
The most obvious choice is Thaddeus Young, who finally got an opportunity to play consistently with Jakob Poeltl out. He made the most of his opportunity and played very well, providing the team with a fantastic passer and an excellent finisher. However, with coach Gregg Popovich’s unwillingness to play Young at power forward, Young has again been relegated to playing spot minutes at center.
Perhaps the Spurs aren’t comfortable relying on a small ball center to play center regularly with the second unit. After all, Eubanks is definitely a better rebounder and poses more of a rim deterrent than Young. Still, Young could help the Spurs’ horrendous offense be, well, less horrendous. He’s the team’s best passing big man since Pau Gasol and has been great at finding cutters for easy baskets in the half-court.
Young also has more scoring ability than he’s shown this season. For instance, he’s capable of attacking opposing bigs off the dribble, has a reliable floater, and has even been known to score in the post. With more consistent playing time, I believe he’d be able to incorporate those skills into the Spurs’ offense and prove to be an upgrade at backup center over Eubanks. Popovich obviously doesn’t agree.
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YOUNG FRUSTRATED AT LACK OF TIME BUT UNDERSTANDS STATE OF SPURS FRANCHISE
Last season, Spurs’ Thaddeus Young averaged 24.3 minutes per game with the Bulls before being traded to San Antonio as part of the DeMar DeRozan trade in the offseason.
This season, his playing time has significantly dropped (15.7 minutes per game) and he admits it’s been frustrating to experience.
“It’s super tough. It’s very tough and frustrating at times but at the end of the day, I understand where this franchise [Spurs] is going,” Young said. “I understand what’s happening. The young guys have to play.”
Thaddeus Young just knows the Spurs’ young talent are soon going to carve their own lane out in the league! 💪 pic.twitter.com/k9fCYC2rd7
— Spurs Nation (@SpursNationCP) December 2, 2021
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#ProJackets on Social Media
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Thankful ❤️ @yungsmoove21 pic.twitter.com/wCYFGULBk8
— Shekinah Young (@Mrs___Young21) November 25, 2021
My darkest times taught me how to shine. pic.twitter.com/zAXtFVJQ0n
— Jose Alvarado (@AlvaradoJose15) November 30, 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 |
