Favors, Lawal on futures at Tech
MILWAUKEE - Derrick Favors said after the game Sunday that he hasn’t decided whether he would leave Georgia Tech after one year for the NBA, that he would take time to sit down with his family and people close to him in the coming days.
But he did say the following, which would interest Georgia Tech fans.
I asked him if there was a chance he’d come back to Tech next year.
“There’s a chance,” Favors said. “A 50-50 chance.”
Projected as the No. 4 overall pick by NBAdraft.net, and almost assuredly a lottery pick , you figure it would be a pretty clear-cut decision for Favors and he’d be gone. That he’s not completely ruling it out at this point is worth noting.
Tech has spring break next week, and Tech coach Paul Hewitt said he expected it might a week to 10 days before he sits down and figures out who’s likely to return and who’s likely to leave.
“We’ve just got to have time to decompress a little bit and maybe the following week sit down and start talking about that,” Hewitt said.
Both Favors and Gani Lawal said Sunday they hadn’t spent much time on the subject yet. If Lawal puts in for the NBA draft for a second time as an underclassman, he cannot withdraw his name like he did last year.
“I haven’t thought about it,” Lawal said Sunday, and then this of his immediate plans: ”Go home, go to sleep. Forget about this (Sunday’s loss to Ohio State). Try to. I’m not going to think about anything, just get on my school books.”
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200 comments Add your comment
Tech Fan
March 22nd, 2010
12:31 pm
No Sporty, there are honestly no ‘code’ words. That’s just something that conspiracy theorist want to believe. There is no book floating around with secret code words. Sorry to disappoint you.
Stereotypes, though not 100%correct, exist for a reason, experience. The reason is that people tend to observe certain qualities, attitudes, attributes, etc in various situations. Their brain learns from experience, then over time their brain finds ways to group things based on experiences, though again, not 100% correct. It’s like saying “big guys are stronger than little guys”. Truth is, that is correct more times than not; however, it’s not always accurate. Human beings tend to observe and cataloge things and over time steriotypes arrise from the collective patterns observed. It keeps people from having to totally re-invent the wheel every situation, though people also try to keep an open mind, until they start seeing tail-tail signs that reminds them of a steriotype. Steriotypes exist for a reason, but people should also keep an open mind, both points of view are correct to a point, and balance is the key. There is a fine line between ‘fool me once shame on me, fool me twice shame on you’ that relates to learning some steriotypes…and keeping an open mind for exceptions to every rule.
Sporty Black
March 22nd, 2010
12:32 pm
Was there any talent on the team that made it to the finals a few years ago? Jarrod Jack, Will Bynum, and Mario West are all in the NBA right now. There goes the “can’t coach talent” theory, unless the players were coaching themselves.
Georgia Tech
March 22nd, 2010
12:33 pm
born2buzz…things do fall back on hewitt’s coaching my friend. When you cant inbound the ball because no one runs to the ball, then it’s your job to change something up. He still ran the same thing that got his team in trouble. Also the hawks and spurs game was awesome last night. The hawks need to be consistent though.
Georgia Tech
March 22nd, 2010
12:35 pm
Update!!! St. Johns is looking at filling there head coaching position and paul hewitt is on of there 3 they are looking at. Lets cross our fingers
Georgia Tech
March 22nd, 2010
12:36 pm
Here is a great one for you yellow jacket fans. Lets intervies Mark Price and get him in here. He will be a great fit for the yellow jackets.
D in Birmingham
March 22nd, 2010
12:36 pm
They are both gone. We may get a chance to see another one and done talent come and go but we have yet to keep guys around long enough to build a program behind Hewitt. We have run through Bosh, Crittenton, Young and now Favors. Do you remember the impressive record any of them put up? Right….. not much to talk about.
Tech Fan
March 22nd, 2010
12:37 pm
Sporty, The vast majority of bloggers have the same opinion: Hewitt is an amazing recruiter, but horrible coach. You can spin, argue, talk your way out of a paper box all you want, it doesn’t change the reality that the vast majority of us do not like what he has done with the basketball team. Answering your specific question, I’ve learned blogging, will not accomplish anything, but I’ll do it anyway. In regards to the Finals team a few years ago, yes I do believe that team borderline coached it’s self. Sometimes you have a player who his such a leader and so driven, that they can be a coach on the court and win in spite of a lack of coaching. I think most GT fans would be happier watching a group of less heralded players, if they played smart, gritty, dare I say it DUKE style basketball. We have far too much talent, say this year for example, to have a loosing record in the ACC this year. I’m sure this will mean nothing to you, so we’ll agree to disagree m’kay?…k.
bigstack19
March 22nd, 2010
12:38 pm
They both will go pro. Maybe we will get lucky and Hewitt will leave for St.Johns. Or high school or the local rec league for all I care just as long as he goes away.
Sporty Black
March 22nd, 2010
12:39 pm
@ Tech Fan:
Your intro was cute… “book floating around with secret code words.” But tell me, what have (is) the current players done (doing) that is thug-like? Name any player that has been under Hewitt that committed such atrocious, thuggish behavior? I’m waiting for the “fool me once” you speak of.
RAMBLE ON!!!
March 22nd, 2010
12:39 pm
No Sporty Bigot, Mario West is not in the NBA now.
Yes, he was in the NBA, and yes he did have to walk BACK on his Sr. year to re-make Phewitts team.
Georgia Tech
March 22nd, 2010
12:40 pm
Well said tech fan
Tech Fan
March 22nd, 2010
12:41 pm
BTW – They are both gone. I give Lawal a 20% chance of staying.
About Paul Hewitt:
1) In the last 5 years (including this year), he is 76-74. With all of the McDonalds All Americans and future NBA players, he is two games over .500 in all games, which include 8 or so each year against the likes of Arkansas Pine-Bluff and Winston Salem State.
2) In his entire 10 years, he is 26 games under .500 in regular season ACC games, and has only one season over .500 (9-7 in 2004).
3) In his entire 10 years, he has a winning record against 3 ACC schools and a losing record against the other 8.
4) He also has a losing record against mostly poor UGA teams.
5) “This seventh-seeded Tech team cannot dribble, cannot pass, cannot hit free throws, cannot exploit a massive size and talent advantage when it has one, cannot inbound the ball to save its life” – Pat Forde ESPN article that sums up our coach brillianty
6) TV commentators talking during the tourney saying things like, “This has to be one of the most talented teams in the country…they look like world beaters…this has to be the most sloppy and undisciplined basketball team we’ve seen this year…this team has to be very frustrating to watch for the Tech fans…”
7) Tech set a record for # of turnovers and missed free throws in the 57th ACC tourney, plus the announcers used the ineptness of simply getting the ball in bounds as a running joke on TV, embarrassing.
It’s truely unfortunate that the admin have let it get to this point. They clearly are aware that blind loyalty turned to mass appathy turned to vocal majority long ago. They are telling us that we didn’t scream it enough yet. I love my Jackets, have NEVER spoke out against a coach, but this coach has to go, like 8 years ago….
**GO JACKETS…but…FIRE PAUL HEWITT!!!**
Sporty Black
March 22nd, 2010
12:41 pm
You’re wrong again Tech Fan. I agree 100% on that we had too much for a 7-9 ACC record. I just don’t agree on the silly things that are being posted.
Georgia Tech
March 22nd, 2010
12:41 pm
Tech needs a true point guard to handle the team
Georgia Tech
March 22nd, 2010
12:42 pm
ok sporty black…have no idea what your thinking while thinking hewitt is the answer
Georgia Tech
March 22nd, 2010
12:43 pm
hewitt cant even beat a sorry ass uga team
Paul's lil Johnson, and Paul's whoit
March 22nd, 2010
12:43 pm
i do think this Tech basketball players have a future in baton twirling as do all Tech athletes…maybe they can get into cosmetology school …they really look brilliant and reflect the program downtown well….you know…tween the slums at Paul’s Johnson stadium….lmao…later fireflies…really looking forward to the hellacious beatin you will take after thanksgiving after Paul Johnson’s offseason remarks about the University of Georgia….twill be fun!
Sporty Black
March 22nd, 2010
12:43 pm
@ Ramble On
We both like Tech and want to see them win. So as a friend, I will only advise “If you want to get in a pissing contest, it is good to have a big D.”
http://www.nba.com/hawks/roster/
Paul's lil Johnson, and Paul's whoit
March 22nd, 2010
12:45 pm
your right Whoit cant even beat a sorry ass GEORGIA team…but what s new in downtown atlanta..loserville
Sporty Black
March 22nd, 2010
12:45 pm
Mario “walked on” there too
RAMBLE ON!!!
March 22nd, 2010
12:46 pm
Phewitt is the Thug, you moron.
He knows he hasn’t earned one nickel of his 1.3 million since it was given to him in this stupid contract, if he had once ounce of integrity he’d renegotiate for the sake of GT, but he won’t. He’s hijacked GT basketball and he isn’t going nowhere till he gets his 7 million buyout because he is a Thug and he really doesn’t care if the Turnover Dome is sold out, or half full.
He’s selling excuses, and no one except you is buying. Why that is… probably has a lot to do with your handle. I’m sure.
Falcon66
March 22nd, 2010
12:47 pm
The NBA must be really hard up for players. I haven’t seen anything particularly great about Favors.
Tech Fan
March 22nd, 2010
12:48 pm
Sporty,
I haven’t really seen that myself, nor did I describe the players that way. I was just explaining how different people use terms in a way that makes sense to them based on their experiences. Not everyone is the same and just because we are different, doesn’t mean one of us has to be wrong. You like Hewitt as a coach, for example, and I do not. It’s OK with me if you have a different view than I do. I don’t think our players are thugs BTW.
I can speculate about the use of the word thug: Someone might have concluded that based on our basketball team having one of the lowest graduation rates in the country, that ‘education isn’t important to Hewitt or his recruits’. I think we could probably agree that even your version of a ‘thug’ wouldn’t value education very much, but would instead value ‘gimmie the money quickly as possible, even at the expense of something greater than myself (the team)’. I’m taking an honest guess here, because I’m not a mind reader. That’s all I can think of though that could be considered thug like in anyway. I believe they dont’ tend to graduate, because they do tend to go chase the millions as soon as possible (understandable). I do think though, that a lot of the players play like they are padding their draft status, instead of playing “team first” basketball, which people can view as selfish and self serving. Totally speculating though on my part, because again, there is no secret book going around we all have quietly agreed to follow. Anyone?
BartBuzz
March 22nd, 2010
12:59 pm
Whatever GT21 is drinking he needs to bottle and sell it. Paul Hewitt didn’t do anything special in coaching during the ACC or NCAA tourneys. We finally got some luck against lesser talent in the ACC and going 24-25 in free throws against OK State was an aberration. Next year will make us long for the bad old days.
GT00
March 22nd, 2010
1:00 pm
There is no way Favors is coming back. It is not like GT can compete in the ACC anytime soon. He would look good in a NEW JERSEY NETS uniform. As far as Lawal, who cares? Insignificant. See you in China playing with an ex-GT player Stephon Marbury. Maybe Blewitt will go too. I can only dream.
To all ACC coaches: either play zone or press the heck out of GT and your team will get a W. With Sheehan as the only big with experience (limited experience at best since Blewitt doesn’t use him anyway) and still no guard play, 0-16 easy.
When was the last time GT has a decent guard since Jack left? If a team like Northern Iowa can have good guard play and a guy who could shoot from the half court, is it too much to ask for us to get one on our roster? It is not like I am asking for world peace. We don’t need a roster full of 6FT wing players like the Hawks. At least the Hawks woke up. Will Blewitt?
Sporty Black
March 22nd, 2010
1:00 pm
Now we are have a conversation Tech Fan. Data is my life; hence I will share with you that the same data can be made to tell totally different stories. I will advise everyone to compare the overall graduation rate versuso the graduation rate of athletes. Also, look at the schools… We can’t have a conversation if you think Kansas (for example) is just as academically challeging as Georgia Tech.
Im Dat Guy 12321
March 22nd, 2010
1:02 pm
Favors Finna make dat Money!!!!!!!!!!!!!
IndyGT
March 22nd, 2010
1:03 pm
Even Coach K realized that you need to recruit these one and done players – after Deng and Livingston spurned Duke for the NBA, he tried to forego recruiting the 1 and done players. Only to watch UNC win 2 championships in 5 years. Though the core of those 2 championship teams all stayed for multiple years.. but they had just as many one and done’s as we had. The difference is they had consistent guard play. We haven’t had a decent PG since Critt. I’m happy as can be that Favors suited up in a GT uni even if it is for a year. I just would kill for a PG.
Sporty Black
March 22nd, 2010
1:06 pm
Enter your comments here
Sporty Black
March 22nd, 2010
1:07 pm
Sorry last comment didnt post. Check out Bruce Pearl’s comments regarding graduation rates when he was on 790thezone last Friday morning.
Rick
March 22nd, 2010
1:11 pm
50/50. Haha. That’s about as funny as chump saying they were the better team. Favors knew he was going pro in 2010 when he was a junior in high school.
MGT04
March 22nd, 2010
1:15 pm
Tech Fan – preach on, thug!
Mike
March 22nd, 2010
1:17 pm
Ohio State has had 5 kids who were 1 and done the past 3 seasons. All 5 are on NBA rosters. Sadly, that is the way it is with all the money the NBA thows at “potential” not proven players. The question is do you want these players (notice I did not say student/athletes) for 1 year or do you want your rival (UNC, Wake etc.) to get these kids?
oldfart
March 22nd, 2010
1:19 pm
Favors is gone. Give it up.
Gordon
March 22nd, 2010
1:24 pm
Tech Fan,
You’re going to have to start paying me royalties on those first 4 points @12:41.
Sporty,
You just can’t argue with 10 year statistics. He’s not a good coach, and certainly not worth what he is being paid. That being said, he shouldn’t be criticized for signing the contract – all of us would have signed it too. Also, he is a good recruiter, defensive coach, and has the best interests of his players in mind. But he just doesn’t win enough basketball games. The evidence is irrefutable.
Barry
March 22nd, 2010
1:40 pm
Hey Y’all:
What I saw of Favors this year is that he is ot ready for prime time NBA. He plays a little soft, in my opinion. I see other players around the country who are much more physical and agressive than he is. The NBA will really show his lack of strength for a perceived big man. He needs to stay in colleg, bulk up, become more agressive, offensively and defensively. He is not a franchise player that can win you a championship all by himself. He is an average player in my opinion. Maybe another year at Tech, with him now knowing the leauge, he can show more of what he has on the court. I was not impressed this year. He needs work.
Taco
March 22nd, 2010
1:40 pm
Favors would be a fool to stay. MONEY is there. Talent will catch up one day. He can easily be another Josh Smith. Lawal I am not so sure that he should go. He is lacking something, not sure what, and not sure if Hewitt can give it to him. Sheehan is serviceable and can do the job next year if in fact he stays. Remember Luke Schenscher? The Daniel Miller kid will have an impact and a we have some real studs coming back. Shumpert is an NBA player. Rice and Oliver have a good shot. Mo Miller is a great kid as well. We got soe other kid red shirted as well and CPH will get us a stud from somewhere. He can recruit and that is proven. Can he ever coach the in bounds play? Udoia is a stud as well, sorry to forget you Mfon! Come Paul, if I have o live with you, I may as well cheer for you. GO JACKET BASEBALL……Coach Hall has also wet the bed in the past few years with superior talent. Get over the hump this year guys. Deck Mcquire is the real deal.
TampaGator
March 22nd, 2010
1:49 pm
Not a Tech fan…but Favors is gone. If he could be coached up at Tech, he might stay…but there is no chance of that based on what I saw coaching him. No team in America has more talent on the court than Tech had this year. The Tech coached did as little with that talent as any coach in America….or the players were totally uncoachable. Cornell has better talent than Tech. I don’t think so. They are just far better coached. PERIOD.
WW
March 22nd, 2010
1:52 pm
The good news is that they all need to come back. They looked so bad, that nobody in the NBA right now would take any of them. They have future potential, but they need another year of College Hoops to show they can improve.
If I was the person pulling the trigger for an NBA team, I would never take a player who could not shoot his way into the Sweet 16, regardless of how athletic he is. The only exception would be if I was looking explicitly for a rebounder like Dennis Rodman, and that was going to be his only job.
dont do us any favors
March 22nd, 2010
1:53 pm
If favors is a top three pick he is sure to go down as a major bust. He needs another year to learn how to quickly position himself to receive the ball inside.
He will not be particularly big in the NBA, and that was his only “skill” this year. Bigger quicker guys are going to foul him out in minutes, provided he gets on the court.
It is a shame. He could be a great pro if he played two more years at Tech.
juvenal
March 22nd, 2010
1:53 pm
any chance Gani stays to graduate?
GT Jackets
March 22nd, 2010
2:02 pm
If CPH leaves or we fire him; who is on the list for a replacement coach?
BuzztheKiller
March 22nd, 2010
2:11 pm
Not enough difference in money between #1 and #3 to wait a year. He is gone, and so would you if given the chance. Did you really think we would ever graduate from Tech? Please. Why can’t Tech ever recruit a John Schyer or a Vazquez? Actual COLLEGE players who play four years! Also players who can actually make a shot when it counts (though Vazquez faded this year). For all the raw athletic ability and impressive dunking ability, Tech has not had a pure shooter that can light it up for 30 points since Anthony Morrow, and except for possibly Oliver, there is not one on the roster now. Need a point guard! Shumpert is a great defender, but not a point. At least they went out fighting, but you can’t help but wonder what if….
BuzztheKiller
March 22nd, 2010
2:13 pm
TampaGator- hate to say it but you are absolutely right.
Sporty Black
March 22nd, 2010
2:27 pm
@ Gordon
I can’t give you kudos either. I said the same things. I just refuse to jump on the bandwagon of “running the man out of town.” Hell yes there should be more wins! Hell yes, we should have several ACC championships under his tenure. However, “if, if and buts were candy and nuts, every day would be Christmas.”
No NCAA violations. No arrests. Just good kids he has brought in that competed all but 2 years (that’s 80%). And yes, many of them were (are) the so called McDonald’s All-Americans. This has to account for something… or would you rather have Calipari who takes you deep but jumps ship when the program is headed to hell?
People need to realize that this is a double edge sword. You must get the NBA prospects for TV money, exposure, etc. The down side is that the one and done players only work out once in every other blue moon. UNC from last year is an example of it working out, but look at them now. Even the Fab5 from Michigan didn’t win the title 20 years ago.
RAMBLE ON!!!
March 22nd, 2010
2:56 pm
Sporty Black, you’re not an idiot, just a Loser, with a capital L.
Let’s be happy with 10 ACC losing seasons and last place since ACC expansion because the players haven’t mugged someone.
Yup, Capital L Baby
Roundball1
March 22nd, 2010
3:09 pm
I am surprised that Tech did not have a quality playmaker. They were the least prepared team I watched. Poor decision making including shot selection. Atrocious passing and the substitution pattern was horrendous. Hewitt needs to be replaced by a better tactician.
Gordon
March 22nd, 2010
3:09 pm
Sporty,
I’m not saying he shouldn’t get one and dones. They have to be mixed in with a program that develops less talented players, and makes it all work together. It’s hard, but that’s why he gets the corner office and 1.4M a year.
I don’t buy this argument that he should be rewarded for No NCAA violations and no arrests. Those are table stakes. You don’t get the chance to coach if you can’t do that. Name one ACC coach who is doing that. They all recruit “good kids” and work hard and all that. Win and don’t cheat, and if you can’t do that, you get replaced.
Finally, I would gladly take UNC’s season if we had 2 national championships and 3 final fours in the last 5 years. I don’t expect miracles out of Hewitt, I expect a consistent winning program (8 out 10 in the NCAA) program. I expect to see players develop, and to watch a team that looks like they have been coached. Hewitt isn’t getting it done, and hasn’t for some time. Again, a 10 year record is compelling evidence in my book.
Gordon
March 22nd, 2010
3:13 pm
Sporty,
One more thing: I’m not sure where you are getting your “all but 2 years” argument, but we have had losing overall records 3 out of the last 5 years, losing ACC records all but 1 of his 10 years, and are barely above .500 overall in the last 5 years. No team has a worse ACC record than us the last 5 years. Jeff Lebo, who just got fired at Auburn (not exactly a basketball school) has a better record in the last 5 years than Tech does.
FullMetalJacket
March 22nd, 2010
3:40 pm
Carroll, thank you for covering the Jackets. I must say I was surprised at the length of any article entitled “Favors, Lawal on futures at Tech.” I expected two words: “We’re gone.” But then again, they’re not being completely honest here, are they?