THE FLATS – The NBA playoffs continue from the NBA’s bubble at Disney’s Wide World of Sports, and all of the former Yellow Jackets in pro basketball are in off-season mode. Derrick Favors and Thaddeus Young have seen their coaches both fired, making their off-season plans even more uncertain. Even Josh Okogie has been the subject of some trade talk in the media.
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 FREE AGENT TALK
From Pelican Brief: Derrick Favors was the New Orleans Pelicans primary center for 2019-20, but is unlikely to return unless he takes a huge paycut. Someone may be willing to give Favors much more than the Pelicans, so they should try to replace his production with a center who isn’t taking up $17 million of cap space. READ MORE
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IMAN SHUMPERT COMPARES CARMELO, LEBRON
Interesting insight from Iman Shumpert in this flashback on VLADTV, reflecting on going from working with Carmelo on the Knicks and then going to Cleveland and working with LeBron. Iman explained that he felt awkward at first, given that LeBron and Carmelo were pitted against one another despite being good friends. He went on to speak about LeBron having one of the biggest basketball IQs he’s ever seen, and Iman called it LeBron’s biggest superpower.
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MORROW REACTS TO NBA WALKOUT, PAUL’S LEADERSHIP
Anthony Morrow thinks about it almost every day.
If he was still in the NBA, would he have agreed to play in the bubble?
What he saw Wednesday night made Morrow wish he was there. The Milwaukee Bucks refused to take the court in protest of the police shooting of Jacob Blake, a 29-year-old Black man who took seven bullets to the back Sunday in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
The Thunder and Rockets, scheduled to tip-off at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday in Game 5, were prepared to join the Bucks in the strike. All three playoff games Wednesday were postponed and no games were played Thursday.
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OKOGIE FEATURED FIRST IN NEW YOUTUBE SERIES ON SOCIAL JUSTICE
The Timberwolves recorded Josh Okogie’s and strength and conditioning coach Kurt Joseph’s conversation and released it Thursday on YouTube as the first episode of their new series called “Voices,” which the Wolves and Lynx say will feature conversations from personnel on both teams about social justice issues.
Okogie and Joseph also discussed their experience attending rallies in the aftermath of Floyd’s death — a conversation that has new urgency after Jacob Blake was shot by police seven times Sunday in Kenosha, Wis., setting off another wave of protests that has including the postponement of NBA playoff games.
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Every blocked shot from Derrick Favors in the 2019-20 season until the Covid-19 shutdown.
#PROJACKETS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
And here are 22 of our favorite plays from the former GT star. Happy birthday @CallMe_NonStop! Hope it was a great one. #BuiltDifferent #TogethetWeSwarm https://t.co/SrYbg6vCMD pic.twitter.com/PCjxXpq78f
— Georgia Tech Basketball (@GTMBB) September 2, 2020
22 Josh Okogie dunks for Josh Okogie’s 22nd birthday 🎉
Enjoy. pic.twitter.com/OulBoFIkVi
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) September 1, 2020
Keep doing big thing @1jamesbanks! 📱 🔄 #WallpaperWednesday pic.twitter.com/3nBc4i8dHE
— Georgia Tech Basketball (@GTMBB) September 2, 2020
My brothers and sisters in the NBA and WNBA aren’t striking because any of this is new. They’re striking because it isn’t.
So proud of them. Here’s why I believe they will change the world.
My full thoughts in The Last Chip –> https://t.co/oxMwuPG67r
— Chris Bosh (@chrisbosh) August 29, 2020
Do the work when no cameras are watching.
Do the work when you’re sick and tired of being sick and tired.
And look for people who will do the work with you—because in the battle for justice, there is power in numbers.
And together, we can change the world.
— Chris Bosh (@chrisbosh) August 29, 2020
Big time shout out to my bro @imanshumpert and sis @_alexANDRIA_88 for showing my young boys some love at their game yesterday. Always pouring into the youth. The Champ Is Here! pic.twitter.com/5jcZOeKkJY
— Lance Storrs (@Shoalz10) August 23, 2020
I think we all need a little laughter right now, year 20/20 just don’t seem real but neither do these crazy Plays 🤦♂️ #TapingShaqtinAFool
👍🏾👊🏾💪🏿🏆😆 pic.twitter.com/3snDA4Zw24— Dennis 3D Scott (@Dennis3DScott) August 31, 2020
Man!
This has been a crazy year. Thanks for being so real and loving the game Of Basketball! #RestEasy My friend… AllStarLife! L.A. pic.twitter.com/DtNJjPVW0b— Dennis 3D Scott (@Dennis3DScott) August 29, 2020
#PROJACKETS IN THE NBA/G LEAGUE IN 2023-24
PLAYER | DATA | NUMBERS | TEAM |
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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 |