Utah Jazz: Derrick Favors challenges the norm

Favors facts

Before film is dissected and further opinions are offered, some facts should be presented:

• Favors is averaging 12.2 points and 7.2 rebounds per game.
• Favors is hitting 20.3 percent of his 3-point attempts this season, and is a career 18.3 percent shooter from deep.
• Favors is averaging 1.2 assists per game, the third-highest assist average of his career. His highest assists average for a season was during the 2014-15 season, when he averaged 1.5 per game.
• Favors is converting 66.9 percent of his free throw attempts this season.
• Favors’ middle name is Bernard.

That last point was thrown in just for fun, but the facts are less fun when it’s taken a step further (via examining stats among power forwards):

• Bobby Portis is averaging more points (13.2 per game) in less playing time (22.5 minutes per game vs. Favors’ 28.1)
• Favors averages 2.8 trips to the charity stripe a game this season, the third-lowest rate of his career.
• Favors is averaging 0.7 steals per game.

Some of these statistics can be attributed to circumstance (the Chicago Bulls, the team that Bobby Portis plays for, are rebuilding and are 27-55, while the Jazz are headed to the postseason), but others like the low steal and free throw attempt rate are worrying. Yet, the Jazz are still 47-33 with Favors starting 75 games this season.