Nissan #ProJackets Basketball Report

May 5, 2016

By Wiley Ballard –

Iman Shumpert and the Cavaliers make history in 123-98 rout of Atlanta with 25 three-pointers… Anthony Morrow and Oklahoma City shock the San Antonio Spurs and swipe home court advantage … After months of speculation, the Miami Heat officially rule out Chris Bosh for the remainder of the playoffs… All of that and more can be found in this week’s playoff edition of the Nissan #ProJackets Basketball Report.

Chris Bosh – The Miami Heat have finally broken their silence about Chris Bosh’s potential postseason return. It will not happen.

The Heat issued this statement yesterday afternoon in between Games 1 and 2 of Miami’s second round series against Toronto. Almost just as significant, Chris Bosh and the Heat issued the statement together signaling that they were on the same page. Bosh released a statement regarding his playing status in March without the Heat’s approval and many experts believed tensions were rising. Both parties believe that Bosh will return in the future.

In other news, Bosh has kept busy during the past three months with his blog, ChrisBosh.com. His most recent blogpost describes his first job back as a high school student.

Derrick Favors – Utah finished just one game shy of qualifying for the playoffs for the first time since 2012. The Jazz can only imagine the impact a fully healthy Derrick Favors might have made in place of another disappointing season. The forward battled back spasms and knee soreness throughout the year and missed 20 games. In 62 games, the 24-year-old made 59 starts, averaged a career-best 16.4 points and played more than 32 minutes per night. The low post also shot over 50 percent for the third straight season.

Jarrett Jack – Jarrett Jack underwent season-ending knee surgery in Manhattan this past January. Officially diagnosed with a torn anterior cruciate ligament, the point guard anticipates a full recovery and plans to return for the 2016-17 season. Jack’s season averages in 32 games as the Brooklyn Nets starting point guard were 12.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg and a team-high 7.4 apg.

Anthony Morrow – Following a 32-point blowout loss in Game 1, the Oklahoma City Thunder and Anthony Morrow turned many heads with Tuesday’s 98-97 win in San Antonio. The Spurs won a preposterous 40 of 41 home games this season with their only loss coming to Golden State in the final week of the season. Through two games Morrow has registered 20 minutes of playing time and added seven points. The series resumes Friday night in Oklahoma City at 9:30 p.m. on ESPN.

Iman Shumpert – The Cleveland Cavaliers didn’t just take a commanding 2-0 series lead Wednesday night, they torched the record book. Shooting 25-of-45 from three-point range, the Cavaliers shattered the NBA’s playoff record, and regular-season record for that matter, for three-pointers made in a game. Ten different Cavaliers made at least one three-pointer. Shumpert took just one of Cleveland’s 45 treys, but it was by far the most bizarre. As if that wasn’t enough for the fifth-year veteran, Shumpert threw down this emphatic slam, also at the expense of Hawks forward Mike Muscala. The series moves to Atlanta Friday night with tip set for 7 p.m. on ESPN.

Thaddeus Young – The Brooklyn Nets were never considered serious playoff contenders at any point in 2015-16. After firing Lionel Hollins in mid-January, the Nets officially announced that Atlanta Hawks assistant Kenny Atkinson will be Brooklyn’s new head coach. Atkinson will assume his new duties following the conclusion of the Hawks playoff run. In 73 games, Thaddeus Young offered one of the few bright spots in an otherwise hopeless season averaging 15.1 points, 9.0 rebounds and netting 28 double-doubles.