Utah Jazz: 5 lineups to watch for in 2017-18
By Adam Coffman
Showcase Favors
- PG: Ricky Rubio
- SG: Rodney Hood
- SF: Joe Ingles
- PF: Jonas Jerebko
- C: Derrick Favors
Rather than focusing on one end of the floor or looking to maximize a certain attribute, the Jazz also have an incentive to feature certain players at times. In some cases, this can be done for developmental purposes, as we’ll cover.
In other instances, the team could be looking to showcase a player in order to increase his value on the trade market. Derrick Favors seems like a prime candidate. His value to the Jazz is more redundant than it would be other places as a result of Rudy Gobert’s presence, and his contract expires after this season.
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Thanks to a series of injury troubles last season, Favors’ value is at a low point at the moment, which is why it’s advantageous for the Jazz to wait on looking for a deal. By featuring him in a lineup built to play to his strengths, they can squeeze every bit of value possible out of him.
According to Synergy, Favors accrues most of his offense through off-ball cuts, post-ups, and pick-and-rolls. Given his lack of floor-spacing ability and defensive quickness, it seems best to slot him at center despite his defensive chemistry with Gobert.
The four players around him are all at least competent 3-point shooters, which should give him room to work on the block, while Rubio will make an excellent pick-and-roll partner.
Hood and Rubio should also be able to attract enough attention on the ball to create a few dump-off opportunities around the hoop, although basic dribble penetration could turn out to be an issue.
With four plus defenders, this lineup won’t give up points easily, which bodes well considering how slow of a pace they’ll tend to play at.