THE FLATS – Derrick Favors and the New Orleans Pelicans are now gone from the NBA’s bubble at Disney’s Wide World of Sports in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The Pelicans won just two of their eight seeding games and failed to make the playoffs, and Favors did not play in the team’s final two games.
This week’s #ProJackets Report compiles more of the latest news, stories and social media posts on former Jackets and their activities of the past week.
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FAVORS IMPRESSED WITH MENTALITY OF YOUNG PELICANS
Derrick Favors was one of a handful of veterans on the relatively young New Orleans Pelicans team this season, serving as a mentor while also establishing himself on one of the most successful starting fives in the league. In his 10th season in the league, Favors has seen many players come and go in the league. READ MORE
Favors also expressed hope to return to the Pelicans prior to the end of the season. READ MORE
The Pelicans’ head coach, Alvin Gentry, was relieved of his duties following the team’s last game. No word yet on how that will affect former Yellow Jacket Fred Vinson, a longtime assistant coach with the club. READ MORE
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FAVORS LOOKS FONDLY ON HIS TIME IN NOLA
The New Orleans Pelicans made a host of high-profile moves in the 2019 off-season but one that flew under the radar was the acquisition of Derrick Favors. The big man, who was entering the final year in his contract, was traded to New Orleans from Utah for a pair of second-round picks. For the first time in his career, Favors was played exclusively as a center in New Orleans and flourished as an integral part on the court. Off the court, he served as a mentor and veteran for a host of young players with the Pelicans this season. READ MORE
Said Favors: “I think I did good. I came in and really just played my role, did my job as a vet, kept guys ready, kept young guys ready, teaching them everything I could help them with and it was fun.”
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YOUNG TRADE RUMORS CIRCULATE
Thaddeus Young, 32, is a rock-solid 13-year NBA veteran who gave the Bulls nearly 25 minutes and 10.3 points a game, while shooting 35.3 percent from three. He gets his points without needing plays run for him. More importantly, he’s a quality defender who can disrupt passing lanes with his 7’1″ wingspan. A number of teams could use him at the four to stretch the floor and give them quality minutes every night.
Young has two years, $27.7 million left on his contract, a very reasonable number for the production. That makes him very tradeable. READ MORE
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TIMBERWOLVES DRAFT LOTTERY SPECULATION
Minnesota boss Gersson Rosas has been aggressive tinkering with the roster in his first year at the helm, and so the Timberwolves enter this draft without a glaring positional need … If they win the lottery, Anthony Edwards best combines risk with reward in a way that fits their roster, even with the wing trio of Malik Beasley, Jarrett Culver and Josh Okogie in the fold. Obi Toppin and Onyeka Okongwu could conceivably share the floor with Towns, but whether Minnesota wants to commit to playing two bigs is unclear. Depending where the pick falls, this should be an intriguing decision. And with the Nets’ first-round pick (No. 17) also in hand, they might have the ammunition to move up if they choose. READ MORE
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WOLVES ‘PURIFY’ THEMSELVES IN LAKE MINNETONKA
As Prince eloquently put in the 1984 film masterpiece: “You have to purify yourself in the waters of Lake Minnetonka.”
Last Thursday afternoon, Timberwolves players Josh Okogie, Juancho Hernangomez, Naz Reid, and Jake Layman heeded The Purple One’s advice, spending time on a pontoon at the lake west of the Twin Cities. READ MORE
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BOSH RELAYS INTERESTING ENCOUNTER ON HONEYMOON FOLLOWING 2011 FINALS
Former Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh revealed that he had a difficult encounter with Tyson Chandler after Chandler and the Dallas Mavericks defeated Miami in the 2011 NBA Finals. Bosh explained that the encounter occurred during his honeymoon with his wife, Adrienne, in an article on The Last Chip. READ MORE
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#PROJACKETS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Thank you @Mrs___Young21 for 8 amazing years. Our journey is just beginning. I’m looking to many more years. Thank you for giving me 2 beautiful boys. Your truly the best ever as a wife, and a mother. 😘😍🥳 #blessed pic.twitter.com/6wA5h8YGzV
— Thad Young (@yungsmoove21) August 18, 2020
8 years later! ❤️@yungsmoove21 pic.twitter.com/FXyIBbIQPp
— Shekinah Young (@Mrs___Young21) August 18, 2020
Enjoying this Minnesota weather while it’s still hot. 🥵 pic.twitter.com/m9dvqU1QYW
— Josh Okogie (@CallMe_NonStop) August 13, 2020
Taking time to appreciate and support the Young for Youth Foundation by @yungsmoove21 pic.twitter.com/x0lvta6Kln
— Sterling Custom Coach Builders (@sterlingcoach_) August 12, 2020
When we hugged at the end of game four in 2013, it was emotional. And that’s because that victory was a long time coming. These guys and I go way back. I met Bron 12 years prior, when “LeBron James” was a name, not a face.
The Finals, Volume III –> https://t.co/iMTJ0uDoZk
— Chris Bosh (@chrisbosh) August 14, 2020
#WayBackWednesday Son: Hey Dad, What’s your favorite #? Hint Hint? You was the #1 Player in the Country? Me: son People lie trophies 🏆 don’t! SideLineShorty! #HumpDayThoughts pic.twitter.com/DBoSUm2S42
— Dennis 3D Scott (@Dennis3DScott) August 19, 2020
@chibbs_1
Don Chibbs put the Nets back on the Soul map
1 luv’
HALL OF BALLERS pic.twitter.com/Y4V4A4z3LS— §HAKEEM X (@SHAKEEM_X) August 19, 2020
🤦🏿♂️ 🏀 don’t Lie 😂 pic.twitter.com/xbldtwZ15v
— I AM PEACE STAR (@StarburyMarbury) August 13, 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 7.0 ppg 2.2 rpg 2.0 apg 40.6% FG | Record: 47-32 Standing: 6th place, -8.0 GB Streak: W2 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 5.5 ppg 5.3 rpg 1.7 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 14.8 ppg 3.8 rpg 3.0 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 5.6 ppg 4.6 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 4.7 ppg 2.6 rpg 1.1 apg 41.4% FG | Record: 46-33 Standing: 7th place, -9.0 GB Streak: L2 Last 10: 6-4 |
 | 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 4.3 ppg 3.2 rpg 1.8 apg 60.6% FG | Record: 46-33 Standing: 7th place, -9.0 GB Streak: L2 Last 10: 6-4 |
