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Utah Jazz: Could Derrick Favors Become Mr. 20-10?

By DJoumbarey A. Moreau

Apr 1, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler (21) defends against Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (15) during the first half at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler (21) defends against Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (15) during the first half at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /
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Before the beginning of last season, it was evident that a lot of people weren’t truly sold on Derrick Favors.

Everyone enjoyed the glimpses of greatness they saw from Favors previously in his NBA career, but many didn’t believe he could put it all together and do it consistently. It’s not every day that you get to see a strong and athletic 6’10 power forward with a sweet shooting touch.

ALSO ON HOOPSHABIT: Utah Jazz: Playoffs Are On Gordon Hayward’s Shoulders

People expected a lot of production from Favors early in his career and didn’t see it. That’s when question marks got raised. One idiot writer even asked the question “Is Derrick Favors the next Kwame Brown?” Well, that same idiot writer is writing today to answer the question, no not at all.

Favors didn’t respond last season with a Kwame Brown like season, instead he made the most of his opportunity playing for the small-market Utah Jazz and had the best season of his entire NBA career. Favors posted a great stat line of 16 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game and blossomed even more after the departure of center Enes Kanter. 

With another low post scorer gone from Salt Lake City, Favors will have the opportunity to get even more low post touches.

Could Utah have their first 20-10 player since Carlos Boozer in 2008?

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The entire paint was Favors playground to dominate and he did just that. Favors shot extremely well in the paint — posting a shooting percentage of 74% at the rim. Now entering his fifth season in the league, Favors is primed to have another great season. The beauty of playing in one year of college basketball is that Favors already has five years of NBA experience on his resume and he’s only 24 years old.

It’s interesting that offensively Favors not only is similar in skill to Boozer but also to the former Jazz great, Karl Malone. However, the person who his personality resembles is none other than the captain of the team, Gordon Hayward. Like Hayward, the two are quiet leaders that show up and show out for big games.

In addition, each of them is also pretty civil on the court and they aren’t boisterous when they play. Favors will have a big dunk and he won’t turn into Russell Westbrook. In fact, you’ll be lucky if you see him get really loud. Hayward is pretty much the same. The two aren’t going to argue with refs, nor will they get loud with their coaches.

One other aspect that the two share is that they each were snubbed last season from the NBA All-Star Game.

Despite putting up better numbers than his contemporaries at power forward, Favors saw his All-Star game appearance go to Dirk Nowitzki and Tim Duncan. Furthermore, it didn’t help much either when Favors also got to see his All-NBA nod also get taken by Duncan. The only thing that Utah fans should be is ecstatic because Favors is going to start the season with a huge chip on his shoulder.

Outside of the intrinsic motivation factor, one of the biggest reasons why Favors could have a monster 20-point, 10 rebound season is because of the person that he’ll be sharing the interior with. Rudy Gobert is going to make life much easier for Favors on the court. 

Just beginning his third season in the league, Gobert is already one of the few game changers in the NBA. On the defensive front, having Gobert behind Favors is a frontline that only a few teams can compete with.

If Favors doesn’t have to constantly worry about helping on defense, as he had to do with Kanter, then he can focus more of his energy to go insane in the interior on offense. It’s scary that last year Favors was only four points and two rebounds away from posting a 20-10 season and he only averaged 12.4 shots per game. With a few more paint touches while continuing the same efficiency on offense and he’ll be on his way to achieving that goal.

Nevertheless, if Favors wants to make the All-Star game next year he’ll have to find a way to get Utah to the playoffs. Gordon Hayward’s going to need all the help he can get.

Then and only then will Favors find himself on a list with Anthony Davis, Blake Griffin, and LaMarcus Aldridge as some of the best power forwards in the league.

Next: Utah Jazz: 5 Players That Could Have Breakout Seasons

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