THE FLATS – Derrick Favors reflects on going from key player in the NBA to a free agent on a 10-day contract … Michael Devoe off to encouraging start in the G League … Josh Okogie keeping the faith as Suns go through losing skid … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
*****
FROM NBA STALWART TO TEMP PLAYER “TOUGH” FOR FAVORS
“It is difficult to go from playing 35 minutes one year to 18 minutes off the bench the next year. It’s all about adjusting your mind, the only thing you can do is be prepared, no matter how many minutes you are playing. you have to look after yourself play as hard as you can And whatever happens, happens. You have to be mentally prepared,” reflected Derrick Favors in a conversation with MD and Gigantes del Baskets in the Hawks locker room before Saturday’s game in Toronto.
Draft No. 3 in 2010, New Jersey was the one that saw him debut and the Jazz were successful between 2011 and 2019, a permanent starter from seasons 13–14, reaching 16.4 points, 8 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.5 blocks His best ever performance in a season, averaging 15-16 in the campaign. in which they were until recently Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell, who also joined Ricky Rubio And other interesting elements such as former Barca player Dante Exum, drafted 5th in 2014.
The team that deserved a ring that couldn’t finish, transferred the favors. pelican In 2019. This would be the beginning of his ‘end’ as a player of substance. Back in Utah, he signed a new three-year contract with the Jazz for the 20–21 season. But nothing would be the same again, with a first-round draft pick in exchange for a second-round pick and transferred to Oklahoma for the 21–22 season, Utah achieved its objective, getting rid of his salary. and from Oklahoma to Houston. From a star to a bargaining chip and from there to the trunk of memories. Because, so often, fans never quite get used to the new reality of players in this category, instead remembering them for what they were made of.
(Editor’s note: Favors has not taken the court for the Hawks, contract expires Friday)
More from Nation World News (translated from Spanish)
*****
ENCOURAGING START FOR DEVOE IN G LEAGUE
Former Georgia Tech guard Michael Devoe is gaining notice playing for the Ontario Clippers in the NBA G League. Devoe, who signed with the Los Angeles Clippers as an undrafted free agent in June but did not make the team’s roster, has been elevated into Ontario’s starting lineup for its past four games.
In that time, Devoe has been averaging 31.8 minutes, 10.3 points and 5.5 rebounds. It is an encouraging turn for Devoe, who is one of five rookies on Ontario’s 13-player roster. A year ago, after not making the Los Angeles Clippers roster in the preseason, former Tech forward Moses Wright performed well enough with the Clippers’ G League affiliate to earn a two-way contract with the Dallas Mavericks. (Wright is playing this season in China.)
Devoe’s coach with Ontario is former Yellow Jackets coach Paul Hewitt.
More from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Cooked it up 👨🍳 pic.twitter.com/MyLZ3QNKZh
— Ontario Clippers (@OntClippers) January 13, 2023
*****
SUNS STRUGGLING, OKOGIE KEEPS THE FAITH
After their 136-106 loss to Memphis on Monday, Suns forward Josh Okogie said that Phoenix can get out of their rut by simply playing “through it.”
Okogie is also encouraged by the Suns’ culture persevering through this skid and that Phoenix’s “spirits are still high” despite the losses they’ve dealt with. Okogie believes that once the Suns get healthy, they’ll “be just fine.”
“The way we operate, the way we practice, our attention to detail, we’re still operating like we’re a top three team in the West.”
Okogie and the Suns are set to host the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday.
“Keep playing. Can’t get out of it. You’ve got to get through it.”
Josh Okogie as #Suns are 1-9 in their last 10 after Monday’s loss at #Grizzlies to end 4-game road trip with three straight defeats. #MLKDay2023 pic.twitter.com/UCi07VoAKz
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) January 17, 2023
Josh Okogie (nose) #Suns https://t.co/6aisZKON2P pic.twitter.com/Gs9XkWKucr
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) January 18, 2023
