Who Derrick Favors is? Just a reminder for people with short memory

[stitches]

First of all he's still 25. This is important in view of his recent injuries that have obviously sent our fanbase in a tailspin where all reality there is is Favors' form recovering from injury and we seem to have forgotten just how good he is when healthy:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/sports/nba-top-100-players-2016/
Washington post - Favors ranked no. 29 in their preseason player rankings.

It's taken some time, given how young and raw Favors was when he entered the league, but he has become an excellent player for the Jazz. Like Hayward, though, Favors need to prove he can be a leading man on a leading team if Utah is going to take the next step as a franchise.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/page/nbarank39/nbarank-39-utah-jazz-forward-derrick-favors
ESPN Rank - Favors ranked no. 39 in their player rankings pre-season

Scouting report

+ Combo big man who is a plus at either position

+ Excellent finisher who can post up most power forwards

+ Mobile defender who blocks enough shots to anchor defense

Analysis

Already a six-year NBA veteran at age 25, Favors has established himself as a solid 16-point, eight-rebound a game contributor who has the ability to play both frontcourt spots effectively. Though Favors still has two years left on his contract, since he's making just $23 million over that span, he could be a candidate for a renegotiation and extension that would lock him in past the summer of 2018 at a below-max rate.

Favors creates a reasonable number of his own shots for a big man. Besides putbacks, those come mostly in the post, where he scored twice as many points (198) as the rest of the Jazz combined (97), according to Synergy Sports tracking on NBA.com/Stats. Favors has a little hook with either hand and likes to face up slower defenders when playing center to use his quickness. Favors is also Utah's best option in the pick-and-roll game, though the presence of Rudy Gobert around the basket sometimes forces him to pop to the perimeter. Favors is less effective there, having shot just 33.1 percent on 2-point attempts beyond 16 feet, per Basketball-Reference.com.

Favors' versatility is valuable defensively, as he can swing between the two frontcourt spots depending on teammates. He's a strong pick-and-roll defender who can capably switch out on guards -- a particularly effective weapon at center -- but he is also a shot-blocking presence. Playing alongside Gobert depresses Favors' individual stats. He averaged 9.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per 36 minutes with Gobert on the bench, per NBA.com/Stats, as compared to 8.2 and 1.3 playing with him. But the Jazz's defense is 2.0 points better per 100 possessions with Favors and Gobert, and somewhat surprisingly, Utah scores better with both big men despite limited floor spacing.

https://www.si.com/nba/2016/09/12/nba-top-100-player-rankings
Sports Illustrated - Favors was ranked no. 28 in the league in their top 100 players ranking

The Jazz are zigging where a lot of teams are zagging, and Derrick Favors’s comprehensive two-way game makes it all possible. With so many teams hoping to play smaller and faster, the 25-year-old Favors makes for a nightly mismatch. His strength, honed scoring ability and motor are tough to handle for perimeter-oriented fours, as he can pound the glass on both ends and work his way to high-percentage shots against undersized defenders. At the same time, Favors (16.4 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 1.5 BPG) moves well defensively for a man of his size, meaning he can be played for stretches alongside a true center without being exposed. As a result, the Jazz can trot out traditional lineups featuring Favors and Rudy Gobert that control the tempo, force lots of tough and contested looks, dominate the glass and suck the life out of the opposition. But, wait, there’s more: Favors can also shift up to play center, giving coach Quin Snyder a strong backline defender at his disposal for all 48 minutes. This year, Utah should be able to downshift into spread looks more easily thanks to the additions of Boris Diaw and Joe Johnson, plus growth from Trey Lyles. With extra space, Favors should be in even better position to operate one-on-one in the paint against overmatched defenders. If Utah takes a step forward in the standings, as expected, it will be fascinating to see how the rest of the West will handle matchups with Favors in the postseason. Do you stay big in hopes of neutralizing him, thereby going along with Utah’s preferred style? Or, do you try to go small in hopes of playing him or Gobert off the court while running the risk that he might pound you into submission? (Last year: No. 37)

+ One of just eight players to average at least one steal and one block last season, he graded out well defensively by the major advanced metrics and can comfortably handle both fours and fives
+ His physicality and skill make him hard to stop when he works up a head of steam going to the hoop, whether he’s making decisive moves from the post, crashing the offensive glass, cutting hard to the basket off the ball, or rolling with purpose in the two-man game
– He missed a career-high 20 games last season, including an extended stretch due to a back injury
– He forms a beastly pairing with Rudy Gobert on the defensive end, but he needs to continue to improve his shooting if the Jazz are going to find enough offensive spacing with that duo.

https://www.nba.com/article/2016/10/25/ranking-top-power-forwards-2016-17-nba-season
NBA.com - Favors ranked no. 6 PF in the league

The big man is a throwback in the era of the stretch-four, hanging around the basket to score his points and acting as rim protector along with Rudy Gobert in the Jazz’ strong defensive front line. It’s been a slow and steady work in progress to coax the 16.4 points and 8.1 rebounds per game that Favors delivered a year ago. Now there are some impatient fans in Utah that might be inclined toward Trey Lyles and his shooting range. But it would be unwise to turn the page on Favors just when he’s hitting his stride. He's strong, lengthy and, perhaps most notably, doesn’t mind at all mixing things up on the inside and doing the dirty work. There could be a breakout season waiting to happen.

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/...ebron-still-reigns-two-warriors-on-his-heels/
CBS Sports - Favors is ranked no. 29 in their Top 100 players ranking from before the season:

This is a major move for a player who was statistically similar last season to the season, similar enough to suggest he plateaued. Or maybe it's just belated appreciation for all that the Georgia Tech product provides, with the promise -- at 25 -- of the next leg up.

He rebounds. He defends in the post. He blocks shots. He plays perfectly off his center, Rudy Gobert, on both ends. He scores efficiently even while a metric misfit; he stepped out more into the 10 to 15 feet area last season, but still has attempted only one three-pointer in eight seasons. Now he'll get more overall looks until Gordon Hayward returns, and to make that long-ago Deron Williams deal look even better.

https://www.slamonline.com/nba/slam-top-50/derrick-favors-48/
SLAM Magazine - Favors was ranked no. 48 in their top 50 players in the league ranking

The Jazz are a sexy pick to make the Playoffs this season and Favors is a big reason why.

Derrick Favors dropped a career-high 35 against the Pacers last season. It was the biggest offensive explosion of his career, only the second 30-point game he’s had in six years. But he was nice during that game. He was hitting jumpers, dropping his left shoulder into every defender that tried to stop him from getting to the rim, getting dunks. He put his old-school game on full display that night.

Favors uses mid-range shots, post-ups, duck-ins and throw downs to get his buckets. On defense, the 25-year-old uses his brute strength to gain position for rebounds, blocks and stops. He’s not out there shooting threes. He’s not jumping out the gym like these new-age athletes. But he’s getting the job done.

Now entering his seventh season, his maturity and poise has turned him into a rock for a Jazz team trying to make the Playoffs.

When he spoke to SLAM last month, Favors was all about capitalizing on being a leader:

“When I started out last year, I was like, Man, I’ve been in the NBA six years. I’m now an established vet. I’m getting old now,” he said.

It might sound funny to hear a 25-year-old say that, but that’s really how Favors operates. He’s all business, a big picture kind of a guy. He’s not about the numbers, although 16 points, 8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per ain’t nothin’ to sneeze at.

He’s been chipping away at getting to the Playoffs his whole career. All the while, his individual game has grown, making him a force to be reckoned with. On both sides of the ball, Favors is for real.

He carries the responsibility of reliability on his shoulders, knowing how much the Jazz need from him. On any given night, the power forward runs the offense from the elbow, dishing, shooting and driving. He and Rudy Gobert anchor one of the League’s best defenses. While Gobert makes the loud, flashy plays, Favors is the one holding down the fort.

With Gordon Hayward and Rodney Hood taking all the risks with the ball, Favors has to be the one that head coach Quinn Snyder can trust to come through no matter what.

“This offseason, I’ve been busting my *** in workouts to reach that next level,” Favors told us last month. “Working on everything. Jumpshot, post moves. Working out on my body because I got injured last year. Making sure I’m healthy going into next year. I’ve just been working on everything.”

Yeah, it took him six years to have a big scoring night. But don’t let that fool you. Derrick Favors has all the tools to get buckets every night. He also has the IQ to understand that scoring doesn’t always lead to winning. And all he wants to do is win..

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-53-best-franchise-players-in-the-nba-2016-17-edition/
Favors was ranked no. 29 in fivethirtyeitht's preseason Top NBA franchise players ranking.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxTHL2dktnk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZNvQvPUZEE
I know we are all frustrated by the injuries and missed time, I know he's not playing at his usual level even right now that he's returned, but please lets not forget what kind of a player Favors actually is and what kind of impact he can have on both ends of the floor when healthy. It was Favors rather than Hayward that was getting All-star buzz last year before his injury. It was Favors right next to Hayward in most of those rankings from just 3 months ago. He has not forgotten how to play basketball in the last 3 months. Just give him a month or two to get his feet under him and I think we will have our monster front court wreaking havoc in full strength around the league once again.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igIaL7hqLhg

 

[fishonjazz]

Good work op

 

[jope]

i think most of us remember who Derrick Favors was... That's why we are so concerned because he is so far from that... now lets hope he gets back to that because he is a shell of his former self.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

i think most of us remember who Derrick Favors was... That's why we are so concerned because he is so far from that... now lets hope he gets back to that because he is a shell of his former self.

I think i give him 5 more healthy games before making long term judgments. My issue is just fit... He might be able to maximize his abilities better in a different situation and vice versa.

Neither Rudy or Favors can space the floor and I think it is a problem. Defensively I'm not sure how much they add to what the other does. We haven't seen it on the floor long enough to figure it out.

 

[Game6Conley]

Great thread. Just wanna add I'll always remember Derrick Favors as a HS Phenom.. (Thats one of the chief reasons I'm a Jazz fan..)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xO4hLIP6-ic

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99Od-U5IF4s

I recall reading a scouting report on him back then and thinking "I really want to see this guy play".. They painted the picture of pretty much what I'd call a bullet-proof skillset/athletic profile who oozes upside and was completely and utterly unstoppable at the HS level... He was like the youngest player in the class too, I remember thinking how much better he looked than ESPN's #1 player Greg Monroe..


From that perspective watching Favors anguish and at times be a bit anchored to the ground has been a bit disappointing. It won't last tho, he's too young. You see the burst in spurts which from my understanding about that IT band syndrome is basically to be expected..


I do think the salary structure of the team, with him being a UFA in 2 summers works against him around here in the court of public opinion tho.. Has this dude not earned the benefit of the doubt? I think he certainly has..

He's certainly WAY underpaid, which to me is always a MAJOR hang up when casting aspersions on a player..

 

[stitches]

I think i give him 5 more healthy games before making long term judgments. My issue is just fit... He might be able to maximize his abilities better in a different situation and vice versa.

Neither Rudy or Favors can space the floor and I think it is a problem. Defensively I'm not sure how much they add to what the other does. We haven't seen it on the floor long enough to figure it out.

I posted their stats the other day - Gobert+Favors has been better than either of them alone for the last 3 years. Even now with Favors being severely limited the Jazz are still +16 net rating with Favors and Gobert on the floor and just +8 with Gobert(without Favors) on the floor. I think our defense more than makes up for the lack of spacing on the offensive end.

 

[fishonjazz]

I think i give him 5 more healthy games before making long term judgments. My issue is just fit... He might be able to maximize his abilities better in a different situation and vice versa.

Neither Rudy or Favors can space the floor and I think it is a problem. Defensively I'm not sure how much they add to what the other does. We haven't seen it on the floor long enough to figure it out.

I agree with ya.
Biggest issue I see regarding your post is that Rudy seems to be at his best when favors is out.
With both in the game you have favors, rudy, and both of their defenders all around the basket. Too congested. Might explain some of Rudy's trouble last year simply catching the ball. He has definitely improved his hands this year but I think he really benefits from the space he gets when favors is out.

I don't think it's entirely coincidence that he is playing his best ball while favors has missed a lot of time

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using JazzFanz mobile app

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

I agree with ya.
Biggest issue I see regarding your post is that Rudy seems to be at his best when favors is out.
With both in the game you have favors, rudy, and both of their defenders all around the basket. Too congested. Might explain some of Rudy's trouble last year simply catching the ball. He has definitely improved his hands this year but I think he really benefits from the space he gets when favors is out.

I don't think it's entirely coincidence that he is playing his best ball while favors has missed a lot of time

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using JazzFanz mobile app

Yeah I could see that too... I think they were good together last year. Seeing Rudy carry the defense with diaw and Lyles out there makes the case stronger that maybe we could benefit from a roster adjustment. Millsap would for better on both ends of the floor.

I would not trade favors right now unless it was a great deal. I think he is moved sometime in the next 12 months though.

 

[jazzfan1971]

I miss Derrek Favors. I hope he comes back someday.

Would be nice to have his athleticism on the team again.

 

[Ron Mexico]

Diaw does not space out the floor more than Favors even when favors is hobbled. We don't need 4 3 point shooters to space the floor.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using JazzFanz mobile app

 

[stitches]

Diaw does not space out the floor more than Favors even when favors is hobbled. We don't need 4 3 point shooters to space the floor.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using JazzFanz mobile app

Diaw is a better playmaker for others, but I'm getting kind of fed up with his pumpfakes on wide open 3s and then slow-driving in the lane. If he's not gonna shoot it, is he really spacing the floor?

 

[Park Bites]

This has compelling arguments both ways and it is hard for me to have an opinion either way.

What I do know is I love DF as a person. He likes Utah the state and seems to enjoy being here.

I just don't know what to think.

Sent from my Z981 using JazzFanz mobile app

 

[fishonjazz]

Diaw is a better playmaker for others, but I'm getting kind of fed up with his pumpfakes on wide open 3s and then slow-driving in the lane. If he's not gonna shoot it, is he really spacing the floor?

To answer your question, if there are less dudes in the paint then yes the floor is being spaced even if he doesn't shoot it. Or even if he misses it.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using JazzFanz mobile app

 

[stitches]

To answer your question, if there are less dudes in the paint then yes the floor is being spaced even if he doesn't shoot it. Or even if he misses it.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using JazzFanz mobile app

That's the thing - there aren't fewer players in the paint. They leave him wide open and don't close hard on him once he pump-fake drives.

 

[fishonjazz]

That's the thing - there aren't fewer players in the paint. They leave him wide open and don't close hard on him once he pump-fake drives.

I see less players in the paint and rudy getting more easy buckets doe.

How many three pointers has diaw attempted and made this year vs how many for favors I wonder.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

People definitely close out on Diaw and Lyles at the 3pt line. They do sag off them, but they come back to them to contest most of the time. With a Favors high midrange shot the defenders a lot of the times wont even recover to contest.

 

[Goodluckchuck]

I hope we see many years of Favors with the Jazz. I love the kid. Fundamentally he is one of our best players. But if we can't afford him, I look forward to seeing him bang elsewhere. Cause the guy will continue to improve and grow. Again, only 25. I just hope he grows with the Jazz.


Sent from my iPhone using JazzFanz mobile app

 

[Ron Mexico]

People definitely close out on Diaw and Lyles at the 3pt line. They do sag off them, but they come back to them to contest most of the time. With a Favors high midrange shot the defenders a lot of the times wont even recover to contest.

Stats disagree with that statement, they say that 33% of Lyles shots greater than 10 feet are wide open, 30% of Diaws are wide open but only 13% of Favors are wide open. The stats are similar for open. They also show that Gobert has more open shots with Favors on the court than either Lyles or Diaw. That is this season with Favors playing at 50%.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Stats disagree with that statement, they say that 33% of Lyles shots greater than 10 feet are wide open, 30% of Diaws are wide open but only 13% of Favors are wide open. The stats are similar for open. They also show that Gobert has more open shots with Favors on the court than either Lyles or Diaw. That is this season with Favors playing at 50%.

Yeah because Lyles and Diaw often pump fake and drive when defenders close.

 

[mellow]

The bodies of some guys fall apart. NBA history is full of guys with loads of potential but their bodies couldn't handle it.


I guess this post could go in the Alec Burks thread too.