With his phone in his hand and ice packs on both knees, Derrick Favors talked about having a clear mind Tuesday night.
His Utah Jazz had just pulled off the biggest win of the season, a 129-99 conquest of the world champion Golden State Warriors. Favors himself enjoyed the fruits of that labor, scoring 18 points and grabbing 10 rebounds and making plays all over the floor.
The incessant trade rumors? He’s no longer letting them affect him on the floor. Meshing with Rudy Gobert and finding a role in a crowded frontcourt? He’s simply trying to let things fall into place.
“I’ve just cleared my mind, and now I’m having a lot more fun,” Favors said. “I’m playing. I’m not worried about scoring, or about minutes. I’m just going out there and hooping. So just playing basketball and not worrying about other stuff, that’s helped me a lot.”
Favors may or may not be playing his last games in a Jazz uniform. But on Tuesday night, he reminded everyone why he’s been such a unique power forward in the NBA for the last eight years.
His athleticism and nimble feet allowed him to swallow up and harass Draymond Green into a 3-for-11 performance from the field. Green — one of the best power forwards in the league — scored eight points in 30 minutes and had nowhere near his normal all-around impact.
Offensively, Favors was productive in pick-and-roll, consistently catching passes from Ricky Rubio and Donovan Mitchell and dunking the basketball. He shot 9 of 11 from the field, a statistic that included several perimeter jumpers.
Favors’ activity on both ends enabled the Jazz to wall off the lane. The Warriors couldn’t score at the rim. They couldn’t protect it, either.
“He was terrific,” Utah coach Quin Snyder said. “On both ends of the floor, he was making all kinds of plays. He has kind of a quiet presence, but tonight his play wasn’t so quiet. His activity defensively, his hands … there was just a focus there that was really good.”
Favors recorded his 11th double-double of the season on Tuesday night. It was a peak in a recent string of good performances for the big man out of Georgia Tech. He was instrumental defensively in Utah’s win last Friday night over the Toronto Raptors. He’s scored in double-figures in four of the last five games. He’s grabbed at least nine rebounds in four of his last five.
It’s the most comfortable he’s looked this season. Because of this, it’s no coincidence he’s been playing his best basketball.
“I think we’re at a point where we’ve found the chemistry that we’re looking for throughout the whole season,” Favors said. “Guys are getting healthy. Everyone is playing with a lot of energy. It’s been great and I hope we can keep it up.”
