Fansided

NBA: Ranking the Top 5 Breakout Players

By Clint Pemberton

The Chicago Bulls will be without Jimmy Butler as they open their NBA season due to a thumb injury Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
The Chicago Bulls will be without Jimmy Butler as they open their NBA season due to a thumb injury Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
Utah Jazz
Apr 4, 2014; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz center Derrick Favors (15) shoots a free throw during the second half against the New Orleans Pelicans at EnergySolutions Arena. The Jazz won 100-96. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /

No.3 – Derrick Favors

Drafted third by the New Jersey Nets in 2010, Favors was traded to the Jazz after playing just 56 games in the Deron Williams deal. The 6’10” Favors featured heavily in most preseason breakout predictions after averaging 13.3 points on 52.2% shooting, 8.7 boards, 1.2 assists and 1.5 blocks per game and whilst there is no individual line in Derrick Favors box scores that screams I’m breaking out, he is breaking out

After 15 games this season Favors is averaging 16.0 points on 55.3% shooting (10th in the NBA), with 8.9 rebounds (17th) and 1.5 blocks. However the Utah Jazz power forward’s all around game is improving to the point where he is a top-five power forward in the NBA; averaging career bests per 40 minutes in points, rebounds, assists, TS%, turnovers will do that for you.

Favors PER has blossomed from 19.01 when he ranked 14th among power forwards to 23.10 which not only ranks fifth amongst power forwards playing more than 24 minutes per game but also 12th in the entire NBA, above stars like Tim Duncan, Carmelo Anthony, John Wall and Zach Randolph. The Jazz big man also ranks 17th in Offensive Win Shares and above both Steph Curry and DeMarcus Cousins.

Derrick Favors has long promised, but is now finally starting to deliver on his on his potential.

Next: No.2

Home/Boston Celtics