Checking in on Fan-Favorite Favors After Pelicans Debut

Favors suited up in a non-Jazz jersey for the first time in eight years. (nba.com/pelicans)

The NBA season officiall kicked off Tuesday night, and while the Jazz had to wait until Wednesday to have their fun, one familiar face was involved in the league’s opening night. Derrick Favors spent nine seasons with the Utah Jazz and deservedly became a fan-favorite of many. To honor his time as a Jazzman, let’s check in on Favors following his Pelicans’ debut. 

Bleak Future? Not so much.

Does the future look bleak for former Favors in the Big Easy? Final results of the season premiere for the Pelicans would indicate as much, but the truth may not be so grim.

Favors started the game, and with rookie phenom Zion Williamson out of commission for several weeks, the path to Favors cementing his role as a starter–and finisher–seemed all but certain.

Even though Favors scored the first two points of the NBA season, he finished with only six points and just over 20 minutes. What would seem to be even more of a red flag, however, is the fact that Favors played so few minutes in the fourth quarter and overtime in a very close game. 

Despite appearances (speaking of appearances, it was really weird seeing Favs in a non-Jazz uniform), this really may not be an indication of how the rest of the season will yield for Favors as a Pelican. 

Chemistry, injuries, play-style, and matchups

The truth is probably a combination of factors and isn’t exactly clearcut. There was likely a combination of matchups and injury and perhaps even play-style and chemistry.

Favors is a better perimeter defender than Rudy Gobert, but it’s still not his strong suit, and he spent a lot of time covering Marc Gasol when he was on the floor. He got into early foul trouble trying to cover Gasol in the pick and roll.

Favors also sustained a hamstring injury in the preseason and was still nursing the injury with some soreness. Along with the injury, the Pelicans also play at a much faster pace than Favors has been accustomed to during his Jazz tenure. Favors could be an ideal anchor and big on a fast, small team, but he will need to adjust to that tempo first. And his injury means that preseason did not let him get into optimal shape for the opener. He looked winded.

In addition to the other maelstrom of issues impacting Favors, much of the Pelicans played together either as Lakers or Pelicans, whereas Favors is a new teammate for everyone.

It’s still fair to wonder if his contract, which ends this season, will be renewed with New Orleans next Summer. There’s a lot that could happen to influence that either direction. What I do know is that Derrick believes he’s a starter, and rightly so. And he will work hard to prove himself that way. It’s one of the many reasons I have Favor-ed him as a player (bad pun alert) and why so many fans were eager to wish him well and express their appreciation for his time in Utah.

Favors returns to Utah for the first of three matchups on November 23.