THE FLATS – As with most professional and collegiate sports, the NBA and G-League 2019-20 seasons have been on hiatus since March 12. We are in week 7 without sports, but former Yellow Jackets in pro basketball remain busy. This week’s #ProJackets Report compiles some of the latest news, stories and social media posts on former Jackets and their activities since the stoppage of play.
Episodes 3 and 4 of the ESPN documentary series, “The Last Dance,” details the Chicago Bulls’ rise to prominence in the late 1980s as the team battled with and built rivalries with the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Detroit Pistons. Jacket legends Mark Price and John Salley were immersed in those battles as their teams played adversaries to the Bulls.
Also plenty of news this week from Derrick Favors, Josh Okogie, Iman Shumpert and Anthony Morrow, plus the usual plethora of social media from Chris Bosh.
FORMER JACKETS WEIGH IN ON “THE LAST DANCE”
Former Yellow Jacket teammates John Salley, who won two of his four NBA championships with the Detroit Pistons, and Mark Price, whose Cleveland Cavaliers tangled with the Chicago Bulls in the NBA playoffs in the last 1980s, both had a chance to weigh in this week on some of the events surrounding the Bulls covered in the ongoing ESPN series, “The Last Dance.”
Why did @TheJohnSalley ask Chuck Daly to go back into the final game of the 1991 ECF with mere seconds to go?
Because he wanted no part of the No Handshake Business being cooked up on the bench. #TheLastDance @RichEisenShow pic.twitter.com/psi1oZVTux
— Rich Eisen (@richeisen) April 29, 2020
You saw @HARPER04_5‘s reaction on #TheLastDance…
Now hear what some of the others had to say about “The Shot.”#Cavs50 pic.twitter.com/APOVSNf0Mq
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) April 27, 2020
Read more about Salley’s reflections on the Bulls at NBCSports.com, Clutch Points and on ESPN’s SportsCenter.
SALLEY’S POST-NBA MOVIE CAREER
John Salley is one of the most accomplished players that played in the NBA. He was the first player in NBA history to win an NBA title with three different franchises. He and Tim Duncan are the only two players to win titles in three different decades. Salley played on some successful teams, and when his NBA career was over, he had success off the court. He tapped into his acting skills and has played in many movies. Kevin Moore of Sportscasting.com takes a look.
OFF THE COURT WITH DERRICK FAVORS
The 2019-20 season marked a major change for New Orleans trade acquisition Derrick Favors. After spending nearly his entire NBA career in the Mountain time zone while playing for the Utah Jazz for 8.5 years, Favors was dealt to the Pelicans, moving back to the South for the first time since he played college basketball at Georgia Tech a decade ago. READ MORE ON PELICANS.COM | ALVIN GENTRY PRAISES FAVORS’ DEFENSE
FAVORS LIFTS PELICANS DEFENSIVE RESURGENCE
Jim Eichenhofer of Pelicans.com explores how much the New Orleans Pelicans improved defensively after Christmas, and Derrick Favors’ return from injury and the passing of his mother was a large part of their resurgence. The Pelicans improved from 26th to 10th in defensive efficiency, posting an 11-5 record after Christmas. READ MORE
HEAT TEAMMATE REVEALS ROOKIE HAZING WITH BOSH
Tyler Conway of HeatNation.com gets some insight into some of the rookie hazing activities Josh Richardson endured at the hands of Chris Bosh when he joined the Miami Heat. Pretty funny. READ MORE
SHUMPERT LAMENTS BREAKUP OF CAVALIERS
Former Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard Iman Shumpert laments the fact the Cavs team that won the 2015-16 NBA title quickly came unglued. Shumpert told Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic “the only way to win a championship is to have a consistency in the guys you bring together.” READ MORE
SHUMPERT WORKING ON ALBUM DURING QUARANTINE
ABC News Radio talks with Teyana Taylor, wife of former Tech star and NBA veteran Iman Shumpert, who reveals that both are working separately on new music albums during their coronavirus quarantine. READ MORE
BOSH AND 2008 REDEEM TEAM TO GET DOCUMENTARY
Former Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade revealed recently that he is producing a documentary on the 2008 United States men’s national basketball team. That team included former Georgia Tech star Chris Bosh and won a gold medal at the Beijing Games. READ MORE
MORROW REFLECTS ON HIS TIME WITH THE THUNDER
Anthony Morrow played for nine teams in eight NBA seasons, but the former sharpshooter most identifies with the Thunder. Morrow logged 182 games in more than two seasons with the Thunder after signing in July 2014. He is one of 18 former players who was set to return to Oklahoma City on the weekend of March 20 for the launch of the Thunder Legacy Network. READ MORE
OKOGIE MAKES A GENEROUS GESTURE
From the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Shooting guard for the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves and former Georgia Tech star Josh Okogie left a generous tip at Atlanta restaurant Nana’s Chicken-N-Waffles. Okogie left a $300 tip on a large $255 order at a time when many restaurants, including Nana’s, have switched to takeout-only and have seen revenue slow to a trickle. The restaurant described the windfall as a blessing on Instagram, thanking the pro basketball player and complimenting him as humble. SEE THE INSTAGRAM POST HERE.
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#PROJACKETS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Protecting yourself from Corona like ….special thanks to @Mrs___Young21 pic.twitter.com/sbnYIoTrN3
— Thad Young (@yungsmoove21) April 22, 2020
— Derrick Favors (@dfavors14) April 29, 2020
yes it worked pic.twitter.com/JVRqq4Ucz1
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) April 29, 2020
Go follow me on TikTok! https://t.co/KCvHgKAOOG
— Josh Okogie (@CallMe_NonStop) April 25, 2020
“I’m not saying I regret it. But we had a good thing going.”@imanshumpert tells our NBA Insider @ShamsCharania about Cavs team splitting up and Kyrie Irving’s feelings on departure. pic.twitter.com/KxxowyqN5J
— Stadium (@Stadium) April 15, 2020
Big thank you to Chris Bosh for speaking to the team this morning. We loved the humor, stories, and words of wisdom!
Chris was recruited to Georgia Tech by our own Dean Keener. Fantastic opportunity to learn from a true professional and generational talent! pic.twitter.com/CXDwMwdMVM
— LakePoint Hoops (@LakePointHoops) April 27, 2020
Just been going through my old videos & memories since we can’t travel like we normally can. Figured I’d share some of it with you all. This was right after the 2012-2013 season. It was a beast of a season and I was ready to travel the world and relax #FBF https://t.co/8KEqQUy0W7
— Chris Bosh (@chrisbosh) April 24, 2020
It’s crazy to think about having a teammate like Dennis Rodman coming to you saying I need to get away and go to Vegas, while you are trying to win a championship! Could you imagine!? But man, he could control a game without even scoring. That’s impressive. #TheLastDance pic.twitter.com/QCN3qfeoTf
— Chris Bosh (@chrisbosh) April 27, 2020
LET’S GOOOO‼️😂 #TheLastDance pic.twitter.com/7Gg2KXO4Sa
— Chris Bosh (@chrisbosh) April 27, 2020
Chillin’ N Grillin’ w/ @MrsAdrienneBosh and the kids on this beautiful Sunday afternoon 👨🏿🍳🙌🏿 pic.twitter.com/mVEALy6ekG
— Chris Bosh (@chrisbosh) April 26, 2020
Class of ‘03. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/eYyQCvqGwW
— Timeless Sports (@timelesssports_) April 25, 2020
Whasssuppppppppppp? @Budweiser brought back this classic ad—with @DwyaneWade, @itsgabrielleu, and @chrisbosh—to encourage everyone to check in on each other pic.twitter.com/EDJTp6vTnt
— NowThis (@nowthisnews) April 24, 2020
#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 |
