Nissan #ProJackets Basketball Report

June 1, 2017

By Wiley Ballard –

Iman Shumpert and the Cleveland Cavaliers begin their title defense tonight against the Golden State Warriors in Game 1 of the NBA Finals … Relentless speculation of Chris Bosh’s basketball future continues as he inches closer towards free agency … Derrick Favors begins preparing himself for life after Utah while he trains in Atlanta … All of that and more can be found in this week’s Nissan #ProJackets Basketball Report.

Chris Bosh last took the floor for the Miami Heat on February 9, 2016 before blood clots sidelined him indefinitely. Since then there has been relentless examination of Bosh’s basketball future including Monday’s report from Hall of Fame writer David Aldridge. The piece investigates the likelihood of a team signing Bosh should he enter free agency next month. One anonymous Western Conference executive explained, “Unless something has changed with his health recently … I don’t know of a team that would want to take that type of a risk.”  

Derrick Favors is more than two weeks removed from Utah’s elimination from the NBA Playoffs, and as the calendar turns to June, the forward his eyes on the future. In an interview with the Salt Lake Tribune, Favors stated “Everyone knows I love Utah, and I love playing for the Jazz. But I have to prepare myself this off-season to have a great year, whatever city I’m in.” It appears that the 26-year-old is readying himself to make just his second jersey swap in his seven-year career. In the meantime, Favors is spending the off-season in Atlanta.

Iman Shumpert and the Cavaliers’ third straight Eastern Conference title makes it seven consecutive seasons that a former Yellow Jacket has competed in the NBA Finals. Although Shumpert is not expected to play a starring role, Cleveland.com pegs Shumpert’s impact as a key determinant in the series. Meanwhile, the six-year veteran kept things light during media day yesterday when Jimmy Kimmel’s assistant, Guillermo Rodriguez, offered a special pregame treat. The third installment of the Cleveland-Golden State rivalry begins tonight at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.  

New besties: @IAMGUILLERMO & @imanshumpert. #NBAFinals || #DefendTheLand pic.twitter.com/eAH59eE55m

— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) May 31, 2017

And the off season begins with #Utah #Jazz @dfavors14 🙌🏽 one of the hardest working guys I know pic.twitter.com/8mbBJdSRFd

— Lilian Abdelmalek (@LilyDSATraining) May 24, 2017

The most anticipated finals of all time? 🤔

— Jarrett Jack (@Jarrettjack03) May 26, 2017