[sammybuckeye13Participant]

While Enes Kanter made a satisfactory leap this year, it’s hard not to notice that his injury on 3/27 almost directly coincided with Utah’s recent surge. Kanter is already efficient scorer, but the Jazz are a very efficient scoring team without him. What the Jazz needed to approach the next level is defense, and Favors is more than providing the spark: he’s becoming a terror.

Anyone that watched Utah’s huge 97-90 win at Golden State knows that Favors’ impressive line of 12 points, 13 boards and 3 blocks doesn’t even do his performance justice. Just as he has been ever since Kanter went down, Favors is taking advantage of his increased minutes and the Jazz are thriving with him. Here’s what Favors has done in the six games since Kanter went down:

26.8 MPG … 12.3 PPG … 9.2 RPG … 1.7 BPG … 62% FG … Jazz Record: 5-1

I definitely think the Jazz should plan on a future big man combo of Favors and Kanter but for the sake of this season I’m starting to think that benching Kanter when he’s healed might be the best move. By not trading Al or ‘Sap in February, the Jazz basically announced their intention to compete this year. With more minutes going to Favors, one of the league’s most efficient offenses now has a chance to alter its image on defense.

Al and ‘Sap are both supbar post defenders. “Subpar” is even generous in Jefferson’s case, despite his efforts (the man is just too slow and cemented to the ground). Favors gives them not only an explosive edge on offense (though he only plays 23 minutes a game, Favors is third on the team in FT attempts), but makes the Jazz a completely different team on the offensive end. Favors can guard power forwards and centers with equal ease and has great timing for a young shot-blocker, but that’s the boring part of his breakdown.

There probably aren’t two or three players in the league with a greater combination of size, length, strength and athleticism than Favors, and when you consider his age (22), he’s a really unique defensive specimen. And when the Jazz put on the floor an experienced, dynamic lineup featuring Mo Williams, Gordon Hayward, Randy Foye and either Jefferson or Millsap alongside Favors, this defensive upswing is on full display for a lineup capable of pouring on the points. Favors has become the defensive anchor this team has been missing, more than compensating for the size and hops that Al and Sap glaringly lack.

Favors has played 28-30 minutes in each of the last four games, a good number for the young fella. One has to wonder, though, based on how the Jazz have been playing of late — they’ve won 7 of 8, with that one loss going to the Nuggets — if Favors’ game-changing, explosive abilities could make them a particularly difficult matchup for the Spurs or Thunder in the first round. Obviously the Spurs or Thunder will be the overwhelming favorite, but Favors has been wreaking havoc lately and Tuesday night’s matchup against OKC in Utah could tell a lot about how the rest of the season will play out. When these teams played earlier in Utah earlier in the year in Utah the Jazz won by 15…it will be interesting to see if Favors’ play of late carries over into an emotional game in Salt Lake City that could finally confirm the playing time that Favors needs.

[SwatLakeCityParticipant]

Favors is doing so well that he deserves to start. I wouldn’t insert him into the lineup just yet, as it might mess up team chemistry. So if the Jazz make the playoffs, then this should be their starting lineup against either the Spurs or the Thunder.
PG: Mo Williams
SG: Randy Foye
SF: Gordon Hayward
PF: Derrick Favors
C: Al Jefferson

Back Ups
PG: Jamaal Tinsley
SG: Alec Burks
SF: Demarre Carroll
PF: Paul Millsap/Marvin Williams
C: Derrick Favors/Enes Kanter

I realize that the backups down low look a little small, but again these are the backups, so it doesn’t necessarily mean that Millsap will never play with the starters during the playoffs. The Jazz could easily take out Favors and insert Millsap halfway through the first quarter, and then put Favors back in at Center at the start of the second quarter.

With this lineups the Jazz have the offense with Jefferson, Mo, Hayward, and Foye, and the added defense with Favors. Also Millsap can serve as a sixth man with this lineup. True, this is the same lineup that the Jazz tried to use to start the season, and Favors didn’t really do so well, but he did great on D. I think its time Coach Corbin give Favors another chance and start again. They’re are going to need added defense against a tough first round matchup. (Which is what they are going to get against the Spurs or Thunder) Also the Jazz will be the underdogs in either series, and Favors could give the Jazz just what they need to swing the series in their favor. (pun intended)

[festar35Participant]

Notice that their recent also started with Gordon Hayward moving into the starting SF role. The kid can ball and I don’t think Utah would be in this position had they not made that move.

[KHAM83Participant]

Question- who do you target in the draft? Need a young pg, and at the beginning of the year Trey Burke was in your range, but not any more. If they like MCW, they may need to package both picks to move up some for him. Or do they wait and grab a Myck Kabongo if he declares. I think Kabongo, if he enters, will be there and will be a good pick up worst case scenerio. Burks-Haywards-Favors-Kanter all have potential to be good scorers. A pass first pg will work great in this system. And if they keep both picks, they can draft a big to add depth. Jefferson is gone, and I think Milsap leaves, even if Utah attempts to keep him. I just think he wants to go somewhere to be their starter. Favors-Kanter is Utah’s future frontcourt. Pls tell me, what do you think?

[sammybuckeye13Participant]

Hayward has definitely played a major role in the turnaround. Mo Williams, while just an average PG, is a tremendous upgrade over Jamal Tinsley, who is just a turd out there. Random big games from guys like Foye (8-9 3PT in win over Nets) have also reenergized them.

If Trey Burke has another bad game tonight he’ll be in the Jazz’s range of 13-16. He’s not quick enough, big enough, explosive enough or athletic enough to ensure a spot at the top of the draft. He will probably go higher than 13, no doubt, but he’ll still be on their radar. Kabongo would be nice. I also like CJ McCollum for them. I don’t know if Michael Carter-Williams is the right point guard to fill out the core Utah’s been building, too erratic and a terrible shooter at this point.

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