THE FLATS – Derrick Favors and Josh Okogie are both in the starting lineup on opening night for the Thunder and the Timberwolves … With opener in Utah, Favors receives the tribute he missed in 2019-20 when NBA played in a bubble … Iman Shumpert goes with Viennese Waltz on “Grease Night” … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
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THUNDER STARTS FAVORS AT CENTER
The OKC Thunder have shuffled their starting center position throughout the preseason slate, as each of the possible candidates’ Derrick Favors, Isaiah Roby, and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl all earned starts with the first five. Mark Daigneault earlier in the week was not yet ready to name a starting center chalking it up to how well each of the bigs has played throughout the preseason camp.
The Oklahoma City Thunder head ball coach has made it known that Derrick Favors has earned the starting center role, at least for game one. He will start alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort, Josh Giddey, and Darius Bazley.
When asked why Mark Daigneault elected Favors over Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Isaiah Roby, the Oklahoma City Thunder bench boss attributed it to the “stability” the veteran brings to the Thunder roster loaded with young and inexperienced players. You saw that ability from Favors in the third preseason game as the OKC Thunder not only came away with their lone win but also played more under control than the other three games.
More from ThunderousIntenetions.com
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FAVORS RETURN TO UTAH INCLUDES A TRIBUTE
After being traded again this past offseason to the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Jazz creative team along with the PR staff wanted to make sure that Favors’ first night back at Vivint was a special one.
The new video tribute played during the break between the first and second quarter of the 2021-22 season opening game between the Jazz and Thunder. Favors watched from near the OKC bench and then put his hand on his chest and waved to the crowd multiple times.
The video included footage of Favors playing and making big shots, but also included more subdued moments, like Favors’ introductory press conference with the Jazz when he was just 19 years old and shots of him with his children and sitting against a wall during practice with his teammates.
Derrick Favors tribute video pic.twitter.com/UqEP2g8h3W
— Sarah Todd (@NBASarah) October 21, 2021
The “welcome back” that @UtahJazz fans gave Derrick Favors tonight was special. Favors will always have a place in Jazz fans hearts.#TakeNote l @KSLSports pic.twitter.com/66mqVbvDdf
— Sam Farnsworth (@Samsworth_KSL) October 21, 2021
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FAVORS REFLECTS ON TIME WITH JAZZ ON HIS RETURN
Derrick Favors was in the visiting locker room once. It was in his rookie season. He was a New Jersey Net then, so it seems like a lifetime ago. He doesn’t remember anything about it. The dimensions, the color of the walls or the lockers. Nothing.
This will be a new experience for him when he steps into the hallway at Vivint Smart Home Arena on Wednesday night. He’s used to the long walk to the home locker room. He’s used to his customary spot, close to the entry. He’s used to sitting in his reclining chair before games, iPod rocking out to Young Thug, nodding at the sporadic passers-by, as he focuses on the job of the night.
But, on Wednesday night, it will be different for Derrick Favors. Like, 180 degrees different.
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OKOGIE GOOD TO GO FOR OPENER
Josh Okogie was full-go in practice Monday and started Wednesday’s opener against Houston, scoring six points with five rebounds in 21 minutes in the Timberwolves’ 124-106 victory over the Rockets. Both Okogie (ankle) and Jordan McLaughlin (groin) missed the Wolves’ final two preseason games. Both practiced Monday. “Josh is full-go,” Finch said. “J-Mac is still working his way back. It’s not clear … we hope to have [McLaughlin] on Wednesday. But he needs another day of live action to figure it out.”
The NBA’s deadline for extension for players on rookie-level contracts came and went Monday without a new deal for Okogie, who was eligible for an extension. Okogie is set to become a restricted free agent after the season.
More from the Minneapolis Star-Tribune
Hype up! Here are the first starters for the 2021 Regular Season 😎
D’Angelo Russell
Anthony Edwards
Jaden McDaniels
Josh Okogie
Karl-Anthony Towns pic.twitter.com/kbkuJTHrhr— Timberwolves Nation (@TWolvesNationCP) October 20, 2021
Josh Okogie’s defense was really special last night. Finally feels like his frenetic energy has been harnessed. Great instincts, perfect footwork, unmatchable energy, and looked more explosive challenging shots. This level of consistency is really important for him going forward. pic.twitter.com/1YibIMKt1q
— Tyler Metcalf (@tmetcalf11) October 21, 2021
The Wolves played active, aggressive, inspired defense vs. Houston, forcing 31 turnovers.
Josh Okogie, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Jaden McDaniels were particularly impressive on the defensive end.
If the Wolves can maintain this level of defensive energy and intensity, look out. pic.twitter.com/rMrHavqIi5
— Timberwolves Clips (@WolvesClips) October 21, 2021
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WITHOUT CONTRACT EXTENSION, THIS SEASON HAS ADDED MEANING FOR OKOGIE
Josh Okogie and the Timberwolves didn’t come to an extension agreement ahead of Monday’s deadline for rookies from the 2018 NBA Draft class to reach a deal. There was never much noise around a potential agreement, either.
The guard said there was no disappointment at the lack of a deal. He’s stated his desire to play in Minnesota for the foreseeable future. For some players and teams in certain situations, waiting to strike a deal just makes sense.
“I’m always going to try and play as hard as I can, but obviously this year is probably the most …” Okogie stopped himself. “Every year is going to be the most important year for me — but since this is like the most current year, it’s the most important.”
Okogie got the start in the team’s season opener Wednesday against the Rockets. Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch has lauded Okogie’s play throughout the preseason.
More from the St. Paul Pioneer Press
IMAN SHUMPERT SAYS WIFE TEYANA COACHES HIM THROUGH SOME OF HIS “DTWS” MOVES
Iman Shumpert said his wife, Teyana Taylor, gives him “little pointers” on how to perfect his “Dancing With the Stars” routines.
The former Brooklyn Nets shooting guard has been showing off his ballroom moves on season 30 of the long-running competition alongside partner Daniella Karagach with Taylor sometimes cheering him on from the studio audience.
Reflecting on his “DWTS” journey so far, Shumpert told Insider earlier in October that Taylor gives “a lot of pointers and small adjustments” to make to his dance routines “on the fly,” while also reminding Shumpert that the singer-choreographer doesn’t have any ballroom dance experience herself.
On this week’s “Grease Night” program, he and Karagach danced a Viennese waltz to the movie’s Hopelessly Devoted to You.”
https://youtu.be/wDjCFejooEg
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