Utah Jazz: 2010s All-Decade team

Honorable Mentions of the Decade: Al Jefferson & Derrick Favors

Throughout the decade, the Utah Jazz consistently lacked stable, productive options from their bench units. Therefore, while it might make sense for other teams to recognize a sixth man of the decade, for Utah it makes more sense to recognize two names that made an impact, but didn’t quite crack the All-Decade starting lineup.

While Al Jefferson never made an All-Star or All-NBA team with the Jazz, he was a consistent scoring threat throughout his tenure with Utah. Over three seasons, Big Al averaged 18.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.6 blocks per game.

During the playoffs in 2012, he was equally solid with 18.3 points. 8.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per contest, albeit in losing effort against the San Antonio Spurs. Jefferson was an excellent player in his own right; however, he didn’t play with Utah long enough or achieve quite enough to challenge Rudy Gobert for the All-Decade center slot.

Derrick Favors narrowly missed out on the power forward spot to Paul Millsap, who got the edge given his playoff performance. Favors’ two-year peak was similar to Millsap with averages of 16.2 points and 8.2 rebounds per game; however, the averages for his eight-season tenure were lower at 12.3 points and 7.5 rebounds per game.

Throughout 31 career playoff games, 14 of which he started, Favors averaged 9.4 points and 6.2 rebounds and he was instrumental to their first-round victory over the Clippers in 2017 and their first-round win over the Thunder in 2018.

Although both players have since moved on from Utah, their contributions to the team’s success on both ends of the court during the 2010s will always be remembered and appreciated by fans of the Jazz.