Fansided

NBA: 10 under the radar players to look out for in 2015-16

By Tom West

Dec 30, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans point guard Tyreke Evans (1) celebrates with teammate point guard Jrue Holiday (11) after hitting a shot to take the lead with 1.2 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter of a game against the Portland Trail Blazers at the New Orleans Arena. The Pelicans defeated the Trail Blazers 110-108. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans point guard Tyreke Evans (1) celebrates with teammate point guard Jrue Holiday (11) after hitting a shot to take the lead with 1.2 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter of a game against the Portland Trail Blazers at the New Orleans Arena. The Pelicans defeated the Trail Blazers 110-108. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 11
Next
Apr 10, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (50) defends against Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (15) during the first half at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (50) defends against Utah Jazz forward Derrick Favors (15) during the first half at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /

Derrick Favors

As Rudy Gobert continues to terrify players and fans alike with his monstrous rejections, Derrick Favors is still emerging as the offensive force in the Utah Jazz’s frontcourt.

They may have only ranked an average 15th in offensive efficiency last season, but that doesn’t mean Favors isn’t doing his part. With a career best average of 16 points in only 30.8 minutes per game, he was able to utilize his expanding range and increased efficiency in the paint to serve the Jazz as their offensive workhorse. He even added 8.2 rebounds per game, which, alongside the 9.5 rebounds of Gobert, went a long way to helping Utah lead the league in rebounding rate with 52.8.

Armed with a solid hook shot (47.8 percent last season), increasing range (40.1 percent from 10-16 feet), and powerful finishing inside (74.5 percent shooting within three feet) Favors keeps on developing into the perfect offensive weapon to compliment Gobert.

In addition to his offense, Favors demonstrated his timing and aggression on defense as well, averaging 1.9 blocks per 36 minutes to contribute to the Jazz’s rapidly improving defense.

Now that the Jazz have emerged with a highly resilient defense, Favors and Gobert can continue to develop as one of the league’s best young frontcourts.

Even though Gobert is far from polished offensively, Favors is still delivering emphatic plays on offense and aggressive blocks at the other end of the floor, too.

Next: Greg Monroe

Home/Charlotte Hornets