THE FLATS – Iman Shumpert’s star rising on “Dancing with the Stars’ … Josh Okogie betting on himself this season … Derrick Favors’ role with OKC … Thaddeus Young on the move? … Moses Wright, James Banks land on G League teams … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
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IMAN SHUMPERT GETS PERFECT SCORE THIS WEEK ON “DTWS”
Iman Shumpert wowed the judges on Dancing with the Stars last night, so much so that he garnered a perfect score of 40.
For the show’s Halloween-themed episode, Shumpert and his partner Daniella Karagach performed a contemporary, acrobatic number to “I Got 5 on It (Tethered Mix)” by Luniz feat. Michael Marshall. Horror fans were able to immediately pinpoint their costumes and themes as the “tethered” twin images from Jordan Peele’s 2019 horror thriller, Us.
We last checked in on Iman Shumpert on Dancing With the Stars following the season premiere, in which the former NBA guard was utterly robbed with middling scores. Since that time he’s still been pushing along, and Monday night was his magnum opus.
Fans of the show aren’t just applauding the perfect score, but calling Shumpert and Karagach’s work one of the best dances in the history of the show.
NBA player Lebron James reacted to his former teammate Iman Shumpert’s first perfect score on Dancing With The Stars. Lebron and Iman played together for the Cleveland Cavaliers before Lebron signed with the Los Angeles Lakers. As he takes some time away from playing on the court, Iman has been giving dancing in the ballroom a try.
https://youtu.be/XD1OqozHUYU
Told y’all we had 5 on it!!! Thank you to everyone that’s been watching, supporting,voting!!! Please continue to vote as we approach the end of the race to the mirror ball!!! We can’t do this without you! Thank you @daniellakaragach for trusting me with you life 😂 #movieus pic.twitter.com/Od1f1SdIuA
— Iman. (@imanshumpert) October 26, 2021
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OKOGIE BETTING ON HIMSELF THIS SEASON
Josh Okogie and the Minnesota 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.
So Okogie will play his fourth NBA season before entering restricted free agency next offseason.
That makes the 2021-22 campaign Okogie’s biggest to date — a contract is on the line.
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FAVORS’ FOLE ON YOUNG OKC THUNDER TEAM
At 30 years of age, OKC Thunder big man Derrick Favors is the second oldest player on the roster (only 2 weeks younger than Mike Muscala) and is far and away, the most experienced member of this iteration of the team entering the 2021-22 season. ‘
While many believe Favors’ tenure with the Thunder will be a short stint, there is certainly a clear role for Favors to play this season at least.
With no true bigs on the roster, Favors will be called in to shore up the center spot and provide at least a respectable level of rim protection that the Thunder otherwise lack.
More from ThunderousIntenetions.com
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RUMORS OF YOUNG TRADE PERSIST
From Basketball News, which lists Thaddeus Young among five players to watch on the trade market…
“Young was involved in the DeMar DeRozan sign-and-trade that sent him to a rebuilding San Antonio Spurs squad earlier this month. With the Spurs looking more like a potential tanking team than realistic playoff contender, Young would be wise to get out of the Alamo City as soon as possible.
There have already been rumors of the Spurs dangling Young in trades to contenders like the Phoenix Suns, who are in need of one more piece to fortify an already strong second unit. Whether it’s eventually in Phoenix or elsewhere, Young’s leadership, defensive versatility and all-around offensive game allow him to be a snug fit on any roster. Honestly, knowing Young’s value, it wouldn’t be a shock to see San Antonio trade him for a young prospect or a future pick at some point.
However, if the Spurs decide to keep Young until the middle of the season — a realistic possibility with San Antonio seemingly believing that the team can make a playoff push with an extremely inexperienced roster — he instantly becomes one of the best buyout options to keep an eye on.”
“Young is in the third year of a 3-year $43.6 million deal, but he’s not seeing much action in San Antonio,” writes Brian Mazique in Heavy.com. “Young has played in one of the team’s three games. His appearance lasted nine minutes and he scored two points. Meanwhile, the Spurs are 1-2 on the season.”
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WRIGHT, HOLSEY LAND ON CLIPPERS’ G LEAGUE TEAM, BANKS WITH PELICANS’ AFFILIATE
After getting cut by the Los Angeles Clippers at the end of their preseason camp, former Georgia Tech star Moses Wright will go to training camp with the Clippers’ G League affiliate. He’ll be coached by someone similarly familiar to Tech fans – Paul Hewitt.
Wright, the ACC player of the year, was one of 13 players on the Agua Caliente Clippers’ preseason roster that was released Tuesday. He is joined by another former Yellow Jackets player of note, Kammeon Holsey, who played at Tech from 2010-14 and has played professionally in Europe. Hewitt coached Holsey in his freshman season.
More from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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