Could Favors start next year?

[Ruckusmh]

I think it would be much more telling to look at Favors #s post ASG last year. He was very poor early in the season but the light was really starting to switch on for him by the end.

[Getjazz]

Guys with true elite talent need PT. Thats it. Look at Cousins, Howard, Kobe, and almost any AllStar. They grow from the mistakes and progress quicker with challenging other starters. This bench role is holding him back and messing with his mind. He must start and be fed the ball. Let us suck for a yr or two and let the young guys grow. Then in 2-3 yrs we can truly be ready, if not sooner.

[aaa]

Anyone interested in actual statistic data on Favors should check out this link to David Locke's breakdown.
http://weareutahjazz.com/lockedonjazz/c ... breakdown/

Something striking from your link:

Favors was better as a started than as a sub – Locke offensive rating of 10.6 as a starter and 4.0 off the bench.

Thanks for that btw, very enlightening. I'm reaching for Favors in my fantasy draft lol.

[kamazilla]

Agree that Favors needs prime game time in order to develop at an optimal rate. Reapamann's assertion that Favors showed little improvement from his rookie season to his second year, and then only towards the end of the season, directly contradicts reapaman's main point.

Favors was traded to a team with a very complicated and nuanced offensive scheme at the deadline of his rookie year. He arrived with Harris replacing Williams, the linch-pin of the entire scheme. Combined with Sloan's departure, the entire team was out of sorts, including the veterans. Not exactly the best atmosphere for one of the youngest rookies in the league to hone his game.

The lockout prevented Favors from working with any of the teams coaches during the off-season, prevented summer league play, drastically reduced training camp, and compressed the season to the point that very little team practice was possible. Clearly, Favors' game has developed thus far largely through actual game play. No wonder there was an obvious developmental spike towards the end of the season. It is also obvious from the stats as well as the eye test that he thrives in a starting role, when given the opportunity.

Working with coaches over the summer, in a full training camp, and in practice next season will help him hone his strengths and mitigate his weaknesses. The team needs to commit to Favors as the starter, allowing him the chance to learn from his mistakes as well as successes on the court. It makes no practical sense to argue that he should be prevented from performing in the role which has contributed most to his development and will continue to do so.

[reapaman]

Agree that Favors needs prime game time in order to develop at an optimal rate. Reapamann's assertion that Favors showed little improvement from his rookie season to his second year, and then only towards the end of the season, directly contradicts reapaman's main point.

I never said he improved towards the end of the season. I said his numbers looked better as the season went on just like they did in his rookie season. That pertaining him to him starting off slow and picking up later like alot of players do, not that he iatcually made any significant improvements from the previous season. There is a reason that overall his stats were pretty much identical to his rookie numbers after you take into account minutes and his shooting percetage dropped with more shots. This despite a significant increase in his usage.

I know the lockout hurt favors but it also hurt Cousins and Monroe yet they both made sizable improvements in their games (well offensively anyway). No excuses he's just not ready, so don't rush him.

[BJSmiles]

Cousins and Monroe were also starting and playing against better competition and playing many minutes, which further validates the idea that we should be starting Favors.

[kamazilla]

Cousins and Monroe were also starting and playing against better competition and playing many minutes, which further validates the idea that we should be starting Favors.

Exactly. The more you write Reapaman, the more you make a case against your own argument.

I understand what you are saying regarding giving him time to develop, but I don't know that anyone is endorsing unrealistic expectations. We all know he will make mistakes and miss some shots, but given consistent starters minutes and role, his decisions, assertiveness and efficiency will all improve considerably faster than were he allowed only role players' minutes.

As both the near and long term success of the organization hinge on the development arch of the promising young guys, I see no compelling reason to withhold playing time from them, particularly once they've established that they can positively impact the game.