Feb 7, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks point guard Devin Harris (20) blocks a shot by Utah Jazz center Derrick Favors (15) during the first half at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Defensive Player of the Year : Derrick Favors
I think going into this season, Jazz fans had very high expectations of Derrick Favors, and so far, Favors has played very well. Favors leads the team in total blocks, blocks per game, and is the biggest defensive threat the Jazz have on the team.
When Favors has been hurt this season and not played, which has happened six times, the Jazz have a record of 0-6. They haven’t won a single game, and their defense has suffered, resulting in the Jazz giving up over 103 points per game.
Favors defensive improvement has been due to, in my opinion, his move to starting center. When Favors was playing at the power forward position, he was getting pulled away from the basket by the way that most teams have gone to a “stretch 4” lineup. With a forward that sits out at the 3-point line, Favors can’t stay in the paint and protect the basket, which results in the lane opening up for the opposing team and Favors hasn’t been able to rotate back to the basket quick enough to protect the rim.
That is why I believe putting Favors as the starting center was a good move by Corbin. Defending against opposing centers gives Favors that chance to stay close to the basket and put his defensive stamp on the game.
So far this season, Favors is ranked in the top 20 in the NBA in defensive impact. However, the defensive impact could improve a bit. Favors gives opponents 8.6 field goal attempts per game at the rim. His opponents are connecting on 4.4 of those attempts for a field goal percentage of 51.3% at the rim. Compare that to guys ranked at the top of the league such as Roy Hibbert (41.3%), Andrew Bogut (44.8%), and Anthony Davis (45.9%).
Favors needs to look at what Anthony Davis is doing in New Orleans. Davis is leading the league in blocks with 3.2 per game. As a result of that, when opposing players see Davis, they look for a different option. Opponents are only attempting six shots at the rim on Davis because of the impact he has. Favors needs to do this sort of thing for the Jazz. He already makes a big impact for the Jazz defensively, but I would like to see him become MORE of a threat down low. If Favors can scare opponents in staying away from the basket and shooting more outside jumpers, the Jazz could be a very good defensive team.
Regardless of that stat, Favors is a huge reason the Jazz have been where they are defensively. As stated earlier, when he doesn’t play, the defense disappears seemingly and the Jazz are giving up more points per game as a result of it. Favors re-injured himself in the Jazz’s last game before the All-Star break. Hopefully he can use the break to rest and heal back up for the second half of the season, because the Jazz definitely need him.