SALT LAKE CITY – Devin Harris had been through it before. He had heard his name in trade rumors while with the Mavs. And yes, he was traded. Then last season with the Nets, it started again as the point guard was part of the never-ending “Melodrama” and eventually was moved in the Deron Williams trade.
But it was all new to Derrick Favors, then a 19-year-old rookie who was the No. 3 pick in the draft.
“I think it’s harder for the younger guys, you know guys like Favors who you see is really starting to find himself (now),” Harris said after the Jazz’ morning shootaround today. “I think guys who have been in that situation before — you know, I was in the Jason Kidd before when I was in Dallas, so I’ve been through it before. But I think it’s really hard for the younger guys.”
And it was hard on Favors who is blossoming with the Jazz. Favors admitted last season after the deal went down that he wondered why the Nets drafted him in the first place. He felt they didn’t really want him. But he realizes he was a critical piece in the trade leading to an All-Star such as Williams.
“Ain’t no bad feelings,” said Favors, averaging 8.9 points and 6.9 rebounds, primarily off the Jazz bench. “I mean I’m over it now. True, there were some emotions I was going through but I’m over it now.”
Maybe not entirely though. He was asked what is the biggest difference he sees in one year.
“First of all, just being in a place that wants you here,” Favors said. “Know what I’m saying? And I worked hard this summer, conditioning, just working on my skills, everything. I just became a better player.”
No arguments from Jazz coach Ty Corbin.
“He’s been great. He came into camp in great shape. He learned the latter part of last season when the trade happened and he got a little more comfortable and he knew what to expect coming back,” Corbin said. “He’s a good kid that plays hard. He’s up for every challenge. He’s not afraid of anybody and he’s learned to be a little more aggressive in spots. He’s continued to develop. I think his defensive game is a little ahead of his offensive game.
Harris is in something of an unenviable position tonight. Deron Williams is coming back here for the first time and Harris expects an effort like Williams provided in Phoenix: his Net high 35 points plus a season-high tying 14 rebounds in a 110-103 Nets win Friday.
“You expect him to be like he was last night. I mean, he played probably his best game against Phoenix and you’ve got to think he’s coming out with that same type of mentality,” Harris said, praising Williams as “one of the best, obviously, he can beat you two different ways. Obviously he’s a high assist guy, as well as a guy who can put up points and those are always guys who cause problems.”
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Al Jefferson remains close with Williams – and they share the same agent, Jeff Schwartz. Jefferson proclaimed he has no inside info, but he touched on what the Nets can expect as their star heads toward perhaps the biggest decision in franchise history – whether or not to stay.
“He’s not used to losing. But that team, they know something big is going to happen for them and if not, he’s a free agent next year so I’m pretty sure he’s going to pick and choose where he wants to go,” Jefferson said, stressing “that’s just me talking” about the situation. “But I’m pretty sure New Jersey is going to try to do everything to keep him. I can’t see New Jersey letting him go.”
They’ll never “let” him going. Keeping him is a different matter.
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Jefferson on Williams, the player who he admits is “special: “I hope we don’t see that tonight. He’s a special player. Very smart, high IQ. He gets off by getting other guys off.”. . .Jefferson on being traded: “Me leaving Boston was kind of sad but at the same time, if I were Danny Ainge, I would have traded me for Kevin Garnett, too.”. . .In the last two games, the Nets have made a franchise record 20 at Denver and then 15 3-point shots at Phoenix. Before this season, the Nets have hit or more 3-pointers in a game only seven times. They’ve now done it three times this season, having also hit 15 at Toronto on Jan. 6.