Nissan #ProJackets Basketball Report

Dec. 8, 2016

By Wiley Ballard –

Iman Shumpert is shooting a career-best 48.3 percent from the field while still finding time to prepare for the holiday season … Anthony Morrow is gaining traction with the Oklahoma City coaching staff through his strong and consistent play … Chris Bosh and Derrick Favors have no timetables for their returns from injury … All of that and more can be found in this week’s Nissan #ProJackets Report.

Chris Bosh and his health concerns continue to own the limelight in south Florida given the Heat’s less than poor start on the floor (7-14, 13^th in Eastern Conference). Speculation fuels the endless blood clot drama. The Miami Herald examined the trade market through a Bosh lens on Tuesday. In the piece, Barry Jackson reports that Bosh’s “mindset at the moment is that he’s more likely to attempt a comeback next season than this season.” If this were the case, Miami could unload $23.6 million of cap space on Feb. 9 (the one-year anniversary of Bosh’s last game) with two weeks until the trade deadline. However, if Bosh plays 25 games or more before the end of the NBA Finals, then the cap space would vanish retroactively. It’s a sticky situation for Pat Riley.

Derrick Favors’ status remains unchanged: out indefinitely. So far this season, Favors is averaging just 24 minutes in 11 games while scoring 10.4 points and pulling down 6.5 rebounds. The 25-year-old hasn’t appeared in live action since Nov. 14. Despite the glaring absence, Utah has surged to a 14-9 record, winning seven of their last eight. The Jazz face their toughest challenge of the season when they host the Golden State Warriors Friday night.

After a soaring start to the season, Marcus Georges-Hunt has hit his first bump in the road. In his last two games, the Maine small forward has made just 3-of-21 shots. The rookie is averaging 14.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 10 games this season. Tonight, Maine (7-3) battles Fort Wayne (7-1) at on Facebook Live.

Anthony Morrow has never been shy about accepting a reduced role. But now, for the first time under second-year coach Billy Donovan, Anthony Morrow’s role is beginning to grow. The sharpshooter has logged 20 minutes or more in six consecutive games after compiling only 12 such games last season. The nine-year veteran has responded accordingly pouring in 41.9 percent of his threes during Oklahoma City’s five-game win streak.

The local papers are beginning to take notice with pieces from News OK and The Norman Transcript. Anthony Morrow, on the other hand, is taking notice of others’ success. The Thunder face off against the Rockets Friday night on ESPN.

When scouting the Cleveland Cavaliers, LeBron James, Kyrie Iriving, Kevin Love and even J.R. Smith tend to be higher priorities than Iman Shumpert. That might be changing soon. Shumpert is shooting a career-best 48.3 percent from the field and has made at least one basket in each of his 19 games this season. Facing his old team, the New York Knicks, Shumpert added 14 points with four treys in Wednesday night’s 126-94 victory.

With Christmas less than four weeks away, Shumpert and his wife Teyana Taylor shared an inside look at their holidays this past week with VH1. Their daughter Iman Tayla Shumpert, or “Junie,” will also celebrate her birthday this month. Back to basketball, Cleveland faces struggling Miami Friday night.

A 2-1 week helped push Thaddeus Young and the Pacers back to .500 through 22 games. Young continued his efficient play last night hitting 2-of-3 shots including one three, draining each of his four free throws, and controlling nine boards. Across Indiana’s four-game road swing, Young is shooting an even 50 percent and averaging 5.6 rebounds per game. Indiana travels to Dallas Friday night looking to secure a winning road trip.