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The Case for Derrick Favors’ Fit: Transition
Posted on 7/13/19 at 10:17 am
Posted on 7/13/19 at 10:17 am
Griff has said that the Pelicans targeted Favors early in the offseason and expect him to be a multi-year fit on this team. The fit on defense is pretty obvious, but on offense it is a little less clear. It has been mentioned that the Pels believe there is untapped potential with Favors in transition. But why are the Pelicans confident in Favors fit with a team that wants to get out and run? Consider this:
Since Favors has been with the Jazz, Utah has been at or near the bottom of the league in pace of play nearly every year. During that span, Utah has an average of 23th place in pace, with the highest finish of 13th (11-12 season). In contrast, the Pelicans were 1st and 2nd in pace the last two years.
Favors has never really been given the opportunity to run like he will here. He doesn’t really create for himself, but he’s a great finisher around the rim (a blistering 68.6% on FG in the paint), which should be great for easy transition buckets.
But Favors can help this team get into and finish transition in another way. Favors, though the raw numbers don’t show it, is still a very good rebounder. This is something that got lost a little playing so many minutes next to Gobert. Last year, Favors averaged 7.4 rebounds a game, good for 45th among all players (min 20 games), Gobert was 4th with 12.9. But the raw numbers don’t tell the whole story. Favors had a rebounding percentage of 35.8% on contested defensive rebounds last year. That ranked 7th among all players that started at least 40 games, better than players like Jokic, Adams, Drummond, Whiteside, and even Gobert. For more context, this was just behind AD (36.5%) who had the highest for the Pels last year. If he can man the boards on defense, this should allow Zion to leak out and run for easy transition buckets, a skill that he should be elite at from day 1.
So Favors, at least in theory, should really benefit from our system.
Since Favors has been with the Jazz, Utah has been at or near the bottom of the league in pace of play nearly every year. During that span, Utah has an average of 23th place in pace, with the highest finish of 13th (11-12 season). In contrast, the Pelicans were 1st and 2nd in pace the last two years.
Favors has never really been given the opportunity to run like he will here. He doesn’t really create for himself, but he’s a great finisher around the rim (a blistering 68.6% on FG in the paint), which should be great for easy transition buckets.
But Favors can help this team get into and finish transition in another way. Favors, though the raw numbers don’t show it, is still a very good rebounder. This is something that got lost a little playing so many minutes next to Gobert. Last year, Favors averaged 7.4 rebounds a game, good for 45th among all players (min 20 games), Gobert was 4th with 12.9. But the raw numbers don’t tell the whole story. Favors had a rebounding percentage of 35.8% on contested defensive rebounds last year. That ranked 7th among all players that started at least 40 games, better than players like Jokic, Adams, Drummond, Whiteside, and even Gobert. For more context, this was just behind AD (36.5%) who had the highest for the Pels last year. If he can man the boards on defense, this should allow Zion to leak out and run for easy transition buckets, a skill that he should be elite at from day 1.
So Favors, at least in theory, should really benefit from our system.
This post was edited on 7/13/19 at 10:28 am
Posted on 7/13/19 at 10:23 am to Baron
Good write-up. I love when posts have some effort behind them. Do you think Favors is in our finishing 5 to start the season?
Posted on 7/13/19 at 10:32 am to MikeTheTiger2893
To start, I would say absolutely yes. He’s a good enough FT to stay on the court and we just don’t really have the depth at his position or experience on the team to take him off the court in a close game.
Posted on 7/13/19 at 10:46 am to MikeTheTiger2893
quote:
Do you think Favors is in our finishing 5 to start the season?
I would think so, unless a team is going small and we’re having trouble defending. I think the default finishing lineup to start the season is Jrue, JJ, Ingram, Zion, Favors. I think they really want the leadership and experience Jrue, JJ, and Favors on the floor during crunch time.
Posted on 7/13/19 at 12:24 pm to Baron
You gotta think we're in a real good spot with Favors and Jahlil, both former #3 picks with plenty of upside
Posted on 7/13/19 at 3:29 pm to Baron
Awesome write-up once again. You're quickly becoming my favorite poster here one Pels Talk. I am excited about Favors. I think they will try to resign him to a 1 year deal or a 1+1 after this year. Have him start for 2 years while Jaxson gets ready to takeover that role in year 3. That seems like the most sensible time table. I think Favors can provide everything we need for a couple years. Elite defense, easy transition buckets, good rebounding, veteran leadership, be a solid mentor for Jaxson and Zion.
Posted on 7/13/19 at 4:51 pm to Epic Cajun
I love Favors and think he is a great fit also, but don't sleep on Okafor, I think he is prime to have a good season. Remember he completely transformed his body when he realized he was coming to the Pels
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