THE FLATS – Jose Alvarado shifts back to New Orleans … Thaddeus Young moves up NBA steal chart … Josh Okogie living up to defensive rep … Iman Shumpert hopeful for NBA return … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
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ALVARADO TRANSFERS BACK TO NEW ORLEANS
The New Orleans Pelicans announced Wednesday that the team has recalled center Jaxson Hayes and forward Trey Murphy III from the team’s G League affiliate, the Birmingham Squadron. Additionally, the Pelicans have transferred two-way player Jose Alvarado from Birmingham.
In Tuesday night’s win over the Mexico City Capitanes, Alvarado notched 19 points, six assists, and five rebounds. Alvarado has appeared in seven games for New Orleans this season, averaging 2.0 points and 1.3 assists in 5.4 minutes per game.
Just keep working and get better !!
— Jose Alvarado (@AlvaradoJose15) December 8, 2021
Jose Alvarado ➡️ Jaxson Hayes on the full-court dime! pic.twitter.com/pwmoQLarZd
— NBA G League (@nbagleague) December 8, 2021
The San Antonio came up short in Phoenix Monday night and ended their road trip 2-1, but the night was not a total loss as big man Thaddeus Young grabbed his 1,500th steal. Young is now five away from Reggie Miller for 48th place.
He is sixth among active players, and as Spurs announcer Dan Weiss posted, Young is the third active player behind LeBron James and Russell Westbrook with 13,000 points, 6,000 rebounds, and 1,500 steals.
As of late, Thaddeus has been the Spurs go to behind Jakob Poeltl leaving Drew Eubanks on the bench a little more often.
Young on Spurs: “Right now, this situation is not ideal for me” (NBC Sports)
Thaddeus Young is now the third active player (James, Westbrook) with 13,000 points, 6,000 rebounds, & 1,500 steals.
— Dan Weiss (@DanWeissPBP) December 7, 2021
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OKOGIE LIVING UP TO REP WITH DEFENSIVE IMPACT
Josh Okogie started the first couple of games for Minnesota before falling out of the rotation in favor of younger and more talented players. Recent injuries to Karl-Anthony Towns, Patrick Beverley, and a bout of the flu for Jaden McDaniels have paved the way for players like Okogie to get playing time.
Okogie has averaged 17 minutes a game off the bench during Minnesota’s two-game losing streak. He scored a total of four points in those games, shot 1-of-4 from the field, and 2-of-4 from the line. Okogie also averaged a box +/- of minus-10. He was minus-11 in DC and minus-9 in Brooklyn. BPM never tells the entire story of a player’s performance, but it has been more of a polarizing experience this year than in years past.
Okogie’s defensive impact this year is almost unmatched. According to Cleaning the Glass, Minnesota is only allowing 98.9 points per 100 possessions when Okogie is on the floor, which is in the 97th percentile of all teams. Opponents are also turning over the ball on 19.9% of their possessions, good for 99th percentile. He is living up to his reputation as a defensive specialist, and that drastic impact goes a long way in helping the Timberwolves maintain their newfound defensive identity.
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SHUMPERT HOPES FOR NBA RETURN AFTER ‘DTWS’
Iman Shumpert is not done with the NBA.
The NBA free agent guard made history this week — becoming the season 30 winner of “Dancing with the Stars” — and he said he’s looking forward to returning to the court.
“Trying to see what we can get done. I love basketball. I never stopped playing,” Shumpert, 31, told TMZ while in New York, following his ballroom win. “They call me a ‘former’, ‘ex,’ but I told them the league just didn’t pay me this year. It’s not an ‘ex’ thing. Me and the league didn’t break up.”
Shumpert — who’s married to singer/dancer/actress, Teyana Taylor — hasn’t played an NBA game since February 2021 with the Nets. He was on a 10-day contract with Brooklyn at the time.
Last week, the ex-Knick said during an appearance on “NBA Today” he’s still working his way back to the league in hopes of winning a second championship. He won a ring in Cleveland with LeBron James and the Cavaliers in 2016.
Aw! @itsjojosiwa and @imanshumpert snapped some fun selfies at the #PCAs. 🤳 https://t.co/tNJJMvf85A
— POPSUGAR (@POPSUGAR) December 8, 2021
Happening tonight! My exclusive interview with Oak Park native and #DWTS Champion @imanshumpert and his family🏆
Special shout out to his amazingly talented daughter Junie, who insisted on taking our photos. She’s a star ⭐️❤️
Watch our story tonight at 10pm on @ABC7Chicago pic.twitter.com/cjqAWq1Weq
— Samantha Chatman (@SamChatmanABC7) December 5, 2021
We appreciate you @imanshumpert our former huskies are coming back to support team! It’s Different Now ‼️‼️ https://t.co/UH3gt7F6mK
— OPRFBasketball (@OPRFBball) December 5, 2021
The first NBA & DWTS champ in history 🏆🏆 @imanshumpert pic.twitter.com/R8euLZOWMl
— GQ Sports (@GQSports) November 23, 2021
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#ProJackets on Social Media
Local coaches team up with NBA veteran @yungsmoove21 to start tech-driven basketball facility @shoot360 in Collierville: “We don’t want this to be just a Collierville thing, our goal is to be a Memphis thing.” https://t.co/tipGqnVlRT
— MBJ (@MBJMemphis) December 2, 2021
Facts … I didn’t realize until seeing this …💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾 https://t.co/36sYYNSwDL
— Thad Young (@yungsmoove21) November 30, 2021
SideLineShorty 🔥🔥🔥#CenterCourt pic.twitter.com/xzxg0JWKqd
— Dennis 3D Scott (@Dennis3DScott) December 10, 2021
When will @StephenCurry30 Break the NBA record? #LeaveIt 🔥🔥🔥 #CenterCourt pic.twitter.com/ceUoQECOcy
— Dennis 3D Scott (@Dennis3DScott) December 9, 2021
I had a young gentleman the other day tell me “I didn’t know you had a step back or anything like that” so…just going to drop this here pic.twitter.com/ZuDeGf18Cc
— Chris Bosh (@chrisbosh) December 9, 2021
Still looking for the right gift this Christmas? My book #LettersToAYoungAthlete may be the perfect fit for that special person in your life.
Order here! https://t.co/XwqIt5EVSN pic.twitter.com/BxjRtmqHSC
— Chris Bosh (@chrisbosh) December 8, 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 |
