Nissan #ProJackets Basketball Report

Nov. 11, 2016

By Wiley Ballard –

Derrick Favors is heating up as Utah begins to find its rhythm … With his medical hurdles persisting, Chris Bosh has found new representation … Thaddeus Young is still trying to find his footing in Indiana … All of that and more can be found in this week’s Nissan #ProJackets Report.

Chris Bosh – Little has developed in the Chris Bosh blood clot saga over the past week. The one small but significant piece of news to come across the wire was Bosh hiring a new agent. Per Sports Business Journal’s Liz Mullen, Bosh has employed Rob Pelinka who has represented Kobe Bryant, Andre Iguodala, James Harden and several others. Many experts anticipate Pelinka to search for a doctor who will clear Bosh to play and therefore force Miami’s hand. Should Miami hold Bosh off the court through early February, they can then waive Bosh without suffering a salary cap penalty if a jointly selected medical professional fails to clear the power forward. The Heat hosted Chicago Bulls Thursday night and lost in the highly anticipated return of Dwayne Wade to South Beach.

Derrick Favors – After struggling with a knee injury in the early-going, Derrick Favors has found his rhythm on Utah’s first extended road trip. The Jazz have gone 2-1 against New York, Philadelphia and New Orleans while Favors is shooting 57.1 percent with back-to-back double-doubles. Eyeing long term stability, the Jazz recently signed Rudy Gobert to a new contract worth $90 million and have now turned their attention to locking up Favors. In the short term, Utah travels to Orlando Friday night looking to stay above-.500. Tip-off is at 7 p.m. ET.

Anthony Morrow – Opportunities have been few and far between for Anthony Morrow. Through the season’s first two weeks, the Charlotte-native has appeared in just three of Oklahoma City’s seven games. He’s hit 4-of-10 shots and averaged just over eight minutes per contest. In between home games, Morrow took in Sunday night’s Denver-Oakland NFL matchup on NBC and enjoyed what he saw from a fellow Pro Jacket. The 6-1 Thunder host the Clippers Friday night at 8 p.m. ET on NBATV.

Iman Shumpert – The Atlanta Hawks handed Cleveland their first loss of the season on Tuesday night, but it wasn’t without a highlight for Iman Shumpert. Mr. Do-It-All’s quick reflexes led to a steal midway through the second quarter as seen here. Shumpert finished with five points, five rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Through the season’s first seven games, the sixth-year guard is shooting a career-best 51.7 percent from the field. Cleveland travels to the nation’s capital for a matchup with the Washington Wizards Friday night at 7 p.m. ET.

Thaddeus Young – Like several restructured teams over the past few years, the new-look Indiana Pacers are off to a slow start.  After surviving an overtime scare against the winless 76ers, Indiana has reached the .500-mark at 4-4. In his first eight games as a Pacer, Young is averaging 10.7 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. Prior to last night’s victory, Philadelphia head coach Brett Brown reflected fondly on Young’s time with the Sixers. The two teams travel to Philadelphia for a rematch Friday night at 7 p.m. ET.