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SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Jazz have three players who have been on the roster for more than two years. Expectations are that it is Gordon Hayward's time to shine. But don't be surprised when Derrick Favors stakes his claim.
The Jazz have played an inside-out game for years. The power forward spot has been the go-to position for just under three decades, and Favors is next in line. Karl Malone held the spot for about 20 years, Andrei Kirilenko took over the four and went to an All-Star game, as did Carlos Boozer. The only power forward of the last 30 years not to make an All-Star game is Paul Millsap.
Now it is Favors' time to show whether or not he can become the next guy wearing the note on his chest. Malone and former Jazz centerpiece Al Jefferson had said that Favors, and big-man Enes Kanter, have more talent than they ever did. Can Favors put it all together and become the guy for the Jazz?
SBnation's Satchel Price wrote about Favors' potential, saying: "When people talk about possible Most Improved Player candidates for 2013-14, Utah Jazz big man Derrick Favors often kicks off the list. A supreme athlete who's now had a few years to develop at the league's highest level, Favors seems ripe for a huge season in the eyes of many analysts."
Malone has been working with Favors through the summer, helping him hone his craft. If Malone can help Favors gain even a respectable outside jumper, his natural ability to get inside will be magnified. Favors already has shown his ability to get to the rim and grab offensive rebounds; half of his rebounds were offensive — 2.4 per game the last two years. As his playing time goes up that number will look even better.
ESPN's Amin Elhassan wrote about the Top-25 under 25, which Favors didn't make, but then a "next 10" had Favors. "Favors is another young, athletic big man who earns mention on this list for his rebounding prowess (ORB%: 12.2; DRB%: 21.0) and finishing ability around the rim (FG% at rim: 0.634)," Elhassan wrote. "He is a constant point of emphasis for opposing defenses because of his ability to keep balls alive on the offensive glass (beyond his own offensive rebounds)."
Favors learned last year from Jefferson. The master of the pump-fake, Jefferson has been able to show the young bigs how to make the move to get opponents off their feet. Check out the video as Favors describes his up-and-under move. He gives credit to Jefferson for showing him how to give a convincing pump fake.
He is still a solid offensive move away from being the offensive go-to player, but has shown the skills to improve. His shooting percentage has gone down, but his free throw percentage is up to 68.8 percent after starting out his career around 59.5 percent.
On the defensive side he is stalwart. When Favors is on the bench, the Jazz give up 99.1 points per games. When Favors is on the court, the Jazz only give up 94.6 points. His blocks have gone up from just under one per game to 1.7 each contest.
[Elhassan also wrote about the top teams with under-25 talent.](< http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/9548274/ranking-top-15-teams-based-25-talent-nba>) The Jazz came in third — a lot of that coming from the prowess of Favors.
"Favors is quickly laying claim to the mantle of 'most underrated player in the league' by virtue of playing for the small-market Jazz. He's a top-shelf athlete with excellent length and an improving post game, and also serves as a team defensive anchor and rim protector."
Favors is amazingly athletic. His work at the P3 has been talked about a lot, but he is still improving. He has length and explosion, which makes his defense great, and yet still getting better.
Favors has to stop fouling in order to be effective, though. He had 3.2 fouls per game while only playing 23 minutes. He has had many games cut short due to foul trouble and will need to stop it in order to take that next step.
Even if he doesn't gain all the offense he needs this year, his defense should make up for it. He could still become the face of the team if he can turn the defense into something opposing teams fear — much like Ben Wallace of the Pistons during their championship run. Favors can become the guy while being mostly a one way player.
