THE FLATS – Moses Wright makes his NBA debut with the Clippers … Jose Alvarado putting up big numbers in Birmingham … Thaddeus Young hoping for trade to contender … Derrick Favors continually adapting to new roles in OKC … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
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MOSES WRIGHT MAKES NBA DEBUT WITH CLIPPERS
The Los Angeles Clippers signed forward Moses Wright to a 10-day hardship deal this week, and the former Yellow Jacket played one minute and was credited with an assist in the Clippers’ win over Sacramento Wednesday night.
The 22-year-old Wright has averaged 13.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game in G League play for the Agua Caliente Clippers. The 6-foot-8, 226-pounder was a standout at Georgia Tech, earning ACC Player of the Year as a senior. He was the 21st player in program history to eclipse 1,000 points (1,130) and 500 rebounds (614) in his career.
The Clippers were able to sign a player to a hardship deal because forward Marcus Morris Sr. is currently in COVID-19 health and safety protocols, having entered into them on Saturday.
Welcome, @mant12_! pic.twitter.com/hMMEbO1sD8
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) December 21, 2021
What a night for Moses Wright! 🔥
33 PTS (career-high) | 12 REB | 3 BLK | 1 @ACClippers WIN! pic.twitter.com/rgsye5oFKI
— NBA G League (@nbagleague) December 17, 2021
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ALVARADO PUTS UP EYE-POPPING G-LEAGUE NUMBERS
The New Orleans Pelicans need to upgrade their bench and might have some players in the G-League who could help.
Two-way player Jose Alvarado, who can now play unlimited games with the Pels, is putting up some eye-popping numbers in the G-League and his time might be coming soon.
It’s not that Alvarado scored 27 points last night, nor that he averages nearly 20 a game in the G-League with seven assists and 3.6 steals per game, it is how he is doing it.
Alvarado is hitting 42.9 percent of his 3-point shots in the G-League, which is surprising given that shooting is considered his biggest flaw.
He is known for his energy and defense, things the Pelicans could use, and for the ability to set up teammates with his penetration and passing, so if he can shoot at all, that is just a bonus.
The duo of Joe Young and Jose Alvarado was lethal for the high-flying @GLeagueSquadron!
Young: 27 PTS | 6 REB | 3 STL
Alvarado: 27 PTS | 8 REB | 6 3PM pic.twitter.com/gF4CPQ378j— NBA G League (@nbagleague) December 21, 2021
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YOUNG HOPING FOR TRADE TO CONTENDER
Thaddeus Young has been honest, saying the rebuilding Spurs are not a good fit for him.
There are a lot of playoff teams that could use a savvy, veteran stretch 4/5, and Young continued his run of honest talk with Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports on the Posted Up’ podcast, he wants to land on one (hat tip Hoop Rumors).
“With this organization and this franchise, we’re not in a contending situation. We’re going to compete and we’re going to try to contend and try to do things, but we’re in a rebuilding situation. With being in a rebuilding situation, that’s not ideal for a guy that just came off a really good season, going into his 15th season to going to another rebuild.”
Young is on an expiring $14.2 million contract.
Thaddeus Young: “It bothers you a lot when you know that you’re 110% healthy and more than capable of helping your team and you’re not playing. It definitely bothers you. It doesn’t sit well with you.” https://t.co/FTVn0noFo5
— NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) December 17, 2021
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FAVORS ADAPTING TO ROLES OFTEN IN OKC
The Thunder have continued to lean on Kenrich Williams, Derrick Favors and Mike Muscala as they endure the growing pains of a young rebuilding team. Here’s how each veteran has played so far this season:
Favors has had to adapt his role quite often this season, as it changes up on a nightly basis.
When the Thunder plays a team with a big physical center, Favors usually starts and plays a lot. We’ve seen the veteran big man add different parts of his game that he’s never been able to try out until this year, including spot-up corner threes.
Favors has consistently hit free-throw line jumpers and anything within 15-feet has been his spot on the floor. The Georgia Tech product has averaged 5.7 points and five rebounds in just 16 minutes per night.
He would thrive on a team like the Atlanta Hawks that could use a back-up big and run the pick-and-roll to find his spots on the floor.
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MORROW WORKING TO BRING UPWARD MOBILITY TO WEST CHARLOTTE
Anthony Morrow made millions in the NBA as a sharp-shooting guard who is sixteenth all-time in three-point percentage.
That journey brought him coast-to-coast, living in seven different cities.
But it’s not unusual to find Morrow back where he grew up, at the Little Rock Apartments off of West Boulevard.
“I’ve seen a lot man,” Morrow said. “Shootouts, all types of stuff going on.”
Morrow hasn’t just thrown money at the problem.
His organization, Anthony Morrow Charities, aims to create a life that can last generations.
“It’s a lot of resources that still need to be down here for everybody down this corridor,” he said. “If you look at East Boulevard and you look at West Boulevard, it’s night and day almost.”
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SHUMPERT STIRS IT UP WITH LEBRON REMARKS
At least one former NBA player feels the (LeBron James to Miami) move changed the NBA landscape forever. Iman Shumpert, who played 10 seasons in the league, said recently that James “ruined basketball” when he chose to team up with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. At the time, all three were in their prime and considered top 10 players.
The move led to Oklahoma City superstar Kevin Durant later deciding to play alongside All-Stars Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson in Golden State a few years later. Shumpert made the comments on the Bootleg Kev podcast.
“It wasn’t KD,” Shumpert said. “It was Bron going to Miami. Bron knows he ruined basketball. He thought he was making it better, I get it.”
Shumpert, who has since become a reality television star after retiring from the NBA, said James impacted player loyalty to an organization. Shumpert was a teammate of James when the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Warriors in the 2016 NBA Finals.
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#ProJackets on Social Media
Was only a matter of time @mant12_ #TogetherWeSwarm pic.twitter.com/eyrBcnktPM
— Georgia Tech Men’s Basketball (@GTMBB) December 21, 2021
Ben Lammers goes ALL the way to the rack 💥#7DAYSMagicMoment pic.twitter.com/fiAZsjrnpv
— Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) December 22, 2021
Ben Lammers doing it on BOTH ends!#7DAYSMagicMoment pic.twitter.com/KwUiKUAYPV
— Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) December 22, 2021
It’s was a great day in Charlotte, North Carolina! 🇺🇸 WCK partnered with When We All Vote & Anthony Morrow Charities to serve up hot meals near the polling site at Renaissance West STEAM Academy. Mac’s Speed Shop cooked up fresh meals for the community event! #ChefsForThePolls pic.twitter.com/ktkihFLkZs
— World Central Kitchen (@WCKitchen) October 30, 2020
“Chris Bosh on winning (and losing everything
Thank you to @JamilSmith for the grat conversation https://t.co/W0DU1FZbTb
— Chris Bosh (@chrisbosh) December 23, 2021
SideLineShorty! 🔥🔥🔥
🗣#LeaveIt Center Court! pic.twitter.com/pHxlxAFcCY— Dennis 3D Scott (@Dennis3DScott) December 23, 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 |
