THE FLATS – Derrick Favors “ready to go” after signing 10-day contract with his hometown Atlanta Hawks … Jose Alvarado gets “A’ mid-season grade … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
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FAVORS SIGNS 10-DAY CONTRACT WITH HAWKS
The Atlanta Hawks Wednesday announced the signing of 12-year NBA veteran center Derrick Favors to a 10-day contract. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
In 12 NBA seasons, Favors has seen action in 790 career games (503 starts), owning averages of 10.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.19 blocks in 24.3 minutes (.534 FG%, .663 FT%). He is one of only 12 active players with over 8,000 total points (8,354), 5,500 rebounds (5,608), 900 blocks (938) and 500 steals (577). Among active players, Favors ranks 17th in offensive rebounds (1,933), as well as 18th in field goal percentage (.534%) and blocks (938). Throughout his career, the newest Hawk has played for New Jersey (2010-11), Utah (2010-19, 2020-21), New Orleans (2019-20) and Oklahoma City (2021-22).
Selected by the New Jersey Nets with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, Favors was traded to the Utah Jazz on Feb. 23, 2011. Favors suited up for the Jazz for 10 seasons, recording 11.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.3 blocks in 644 games (413 starts) (.530 FG%, .670 FT%). He appeared in 42 playoff contests (14 starts) across five postseason runs with Utah, tallying 7.8 points, 5.7 boards and 1.0 block in 20.8 minutes (.587 FG%). Favors currently ranks fourth all-time in Utah history in total rebounds (4,626) and field goal percentage (.530 FG%), seventh in made field goals (2,976) and blocks (840), and eighth in games played (644).
Prior to returning to Utah in 2020-21, Favors saw action in 51 games (49 starts) for the New Orleans Pelicans during the 2019-20 campaign. He notched a streak of 22 consecutive made field goals from Jan. 16-23, marking the longest such streak in the NBA in the last 20 years. He most recently appeared in 39 games (18 starts) for Oklahoma City during the 2021-22 season, averaging 5.3 points and 4.7 rebounds in 16.7 minutes (.516 FG%, .640 FT%).
The Atlanta, Ga., native spent one season at Georgia Tech (2009-10), appearing in 36 games (35 starts), recording 12.4 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.1 blocks in 27.5 minutes (.611 FG%, .629 FT%). Favors was named ACC Rookie of the Year after leading all ACC freshmen in scoring, rebounding, double-doubles, blocked shots and field goal percentage. A graduate of South Atlanta High School, Favors will wear No. 33.
Official: We have signed center Derrick Favors to a 10-day contract.
More: https://t.co/KjSpKvEZ74 pic.twitter.com/rGx7t9Fa8L
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) January 11, 2023
“With Clint’s injury, we’re just looking to add some size to our roster.”
Hawks head coach Nate McMillan discusses the addition of local product Derrick Favors.@ChevyDealers | #GeorgiaDrivesChevy pic.twitter.com/cHsCDFEkxd
— Bally Sports: Hawks (@HawksOnBally) January 11, 2023
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FAVORS “READY TO GO” AFTER SIGNING WITH HAWKS
Newly signed Hawks center Derrick Favors dreamed of playing for the hometown team, or at least getting the chance to put on the jersey. Now he has that opportunity after the Hawks signed him to a 10-day contract Wednesday.
Favors’ deal with the Hawks includes the team’s next six games. So, he’ll have the chance to prove something.
“Oh, definitely a fan growing up,” Favors said. “Back when they had like Josh Smith, Joe Johnson, those guys. I’m definitely a fan, Al Horford. And just being from Atlanta has always been a dream to, you know, at least put the jersey on at least one time. So, it’s definitely a dream, and I’m blessed and humbled to be here.”
The 31-year-old Atlanta native will be available for the games against the Bucks, Pacers, Raptors, Mavericks and Knicks. The team has been without Clint Capela (right calf strain) for 11 of the past 12 games, and the team has needed some size to compete on the glass.
More from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Newly signed Hawks center Derrick Favors in the building. pic.twitter.com/lfKvz32lWL
— Lauren L. Williams (@WilliamsLaurenL) January 11, 2023
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ALVARADO GETS TOP GRADE AT MID-SEASON
Pelicans’ beat writer Christian Clark hands out mid-season grades for the New Orleans NBA team and awards Jose Alvarado with an “A.”
Alvarado is one of the NBA’s best backup point guards. He injects energy into the game any time he steps onto the floor. Alvarado intuitively understands how to play the “0.5 basketball” that Green preaches. He gets the Pelicans into their offense early in possessions and keeps the ball moving. Defensively, he plays much bigger than he is. He leads the Pelicans in steals and is second in deflections.
El boricua Jose Alvarado con una “a lo Rondo” 🤪
📲 https://t.co/MuTuX7Mpyrpic.twitter.com/eSzYeuoFnc
— NBA Latam (@NBALatam) January 8, 2023
Great photo of Jose Alvarado and #Pelicans sellout crowd from first half pic.twitter.com/wbE1savvVO
— Jim Eichenhofer (@Jim_Eichenhofer) January 7, 2023
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YOUNG, BARNES DOWNPLAY HEATED EXCHANGE
Scottie Barnes and Thaddeus Young were spotted arguing during warmups before the second half of the Toronto Raptors’ win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday.
Young appeared to be making sure Barnes was ready, while Barnes took exception to the notion it was necessary.
“That’s my boy. I love Thad,” Barnes said. “We gave each other hugs. … That’s my boy, always.”
“We just had a disagreement,” Young added. “He actually told me he loved me. I told him I love him back. You know, no different than brothers going back and forth. Especially when we’re both passionate about the game. I think that’s one of the biggest things. We’re both passionate about what we’re doing, our craft and making sure that we get ourselves a win.”
From RealGM/The Athletic
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