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
FullMetalJacket
March 22nd, 2010
3:51 pm
Kudos to Lawal for at least acknowledging he has books to get back to. I don’t blame the players or even the NBA. As long as coaches like Hewitt will recruit players with the implicit or explicit understanding that they are not expected to be students, the onus of responsibility will remain on them, the school presidents, and the NCAA. The NBA would improve its product and P.R. considerably by requiring a higher age or academic experience (and hence, more maturity to handle on and off court pressures), in my opinion, but they obviously don’t feel the same way. Let the Junior Colleges serve as the NBA’s farm system: it will simultaneously help their product and the NCAA’s four-year schools. You could teach them some life skills classes at least.
Paul Hewitt is a perfect example of the failure of the current system. As a coach at an academically challenging school in a premier basketball conference, he has managed to fail the requirements of both the academic and athletic entities by limiting his recruiting to a narrow social demographic and persuading NBA bound one-and-doners to come by for a cup of coffee before heading to the big time.
Derek Favors
March 22nd, 2010
3:52 pm
I have a winning lottery ticket, but I’m not going to cash it just yet…can’t get myself to do it, I love the way our guards get me the ball on the low-block. Those entry passes are perfect and always on-time. It’s similar to the way Reggie would put the ball right in Calvin’s numbers… I’m sure he didn’t want to leave either.
FYI, I plan to leave the lottery ticket in the top drawer of my dorm room cabinet… it should be safe there.
dkupsick
March 22nd, 2010
3:53 pm
Stay another year so you can get a “second” NBA contract, contribute and not end up like Hasheem Thabeet or Dorell Wright.
FullMetalJacket
March 22nd, 2010
4:05 pm
I would challenge any Hewitt apologist here or elsewhere to name one, just one, MEANINGFUL category in which Hewitt has shown consistent success above the level of mediocrity in the ACC. I’m not talking one tournament run one year, or a top half defensive stat for a single season, I mean one significant area in which he has been above-average consistently, across seasons. We can keep it strictly objective and empirical, just the stats. I can’t find a single one, either in the academic or athletic side of the equation. Perhaps recruiting blue chips, even though they don’t make enough contribution to lift the teams they play on.
Favors and Lawal, Esq.
March 22nd, 2010
4:09 pm
We are no longer available for comment on the campus of Georgia Tech. For official statements, please consult our respective agents or administrative assistants. Prospective NBA employers may call our personal hotline, listed under “Paul Hewitt” in the phone directory.
Prof. George P. Burdell
March 22nd, 2010
4:11 pm
Erickson? Here.
Fallon? Present.
Favors?
Favors?
Favors?
Has anyone seen Mr. Favors since the beginning of the term?
Prof. George P. Burdell
March 22nd, 2010
4:15 pm
Coach Paul Hewitt’s mediocre overall record and substandard conference record notwithstanding, he should be terminated with cause for not promoting academic achievement among the student-athletes under his care and not providing an equal opportunity environment for white and hispanic players.
Derek Favors
March 22nd, 2010
4:15 pm
dkupsick — Yes, one more year for Hasheem would have done the trick… since three was not enough. It is apparent you are genuinely concerned for my future. And so, I will take your advice. I will leave my lottery ticket in that drawer. Your wisdom has enlightened me. I now know that my winning ticket, if left in the drawer, will grow into something even more valuable four years hence.
Paul Hewitt, the new Adolph Rupp
March 22nd, 2010
4:17 pm
Discrimination is discrimination.
Georgia Tech For Life
March 22nd, 2010
4:18 pm
Dont be so negative…..Favors is gone, no doubt about it. We might get lucky and get Lawal back. If we get Lawal, we’ll have him, Oliver, Rice, Mo and Shumpert. I think we can make to the dance again if we get Lawal back.
Paul Hewitt, the new Adolph Rupp
March 22nd, 2010
4:21 pm
It would seem that using/abusing minority student-athletes to make millions of dollars without ensuring they get the benefit of an education and academic assistance sufficient to provide them with a guaranteed lifelong livelihood and the ability to contribute to society is something akin to the “plantation” system in football programs. Does such a “plantation” owner get a free pass because he is a minority himself?
ScionoftheSouthland
March 22nd, 2010
4:24 pm
Favors is gone, certainly. Lawal is likely to leave. With or without Lawal, Tech has a good core coming back next season. The key is whether they will come back improved or not. Shumpert is a key, but he developed little between last year and this. Ditto for Gani and D’Andre. Without a true point guard, next year is just a replay, without Favors.
Daniel Stern runs the Plantation
March 22nd, 2010
4:29 pm
Coach Rupp, er, I mean Hewitt, I would disagree. The college coach is just the slave boss, the field foreman. I own the plantation–the NBA–and while it is true that my fieldhands are indeed slaves to their own self-indulgence, ignorance, and self-destructive lifestyles, they are extremely well-paid to keep the money rolling in for the rest of us. We’re in the high cotton, now, boys.
Tech Fan
March 22nd, 2010
4:31 pm
Gordon – You can take credit if you like. When I see good points, I like to add them to a running list I can post…keeps me from re-inventing a perfectly good wheel
kudo’s to some of the points 
Concerned
March 22nd, 2010
4:53 pm
Please check out Chad Ford’s article on ESPN.
http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=5018130&name=nba_draft
He talks about the players that helped/hurt themselves this past weekend in the tournament. Here is his quote on Favors…
Do us all a favor and get out of Georgia Tech. The way his guards have ignored him all year is criminal. After a solid first game, Favors didn’t score until the second half against Ohio State. Is he raw? Sure. But if he had a point guard who could get him the ball, he would dominate.
Wow…ringing endorsement of CPH…GROUND HOG DAY!!!!
1 winning conference record in 10 years. Losing record in ‘10 and the ACC was weak (ACC is in a 7 way tie for 5th for most teams in the sweet 16…Big 10 (3), Big 12 (2), SEC (2), & Big East (2)…tied with the Atlantic 10, Pac 10, Ivy League, MVC, Horizon, & the WCC)
Is there anyone who truly believes that Tech will have a winning conference record next year? That would make it 10 out of 11. He has to go.
PHMG
March 22nd, 2010
4:59 pm
I am still on the fence about Favor’s intensity and desire. What guy doesn’t get irate when flagrantly fouled? A freshman that mature? Few can make the jump from underclassman to NBA superstar and based on what I have seen I do not think Favor’s is in that elite group.
Carroll Rogers
March 22nd, 2010
5:03 pm
FullMetalJacket, I’ll be surprised if either one comes back at this point.
Keep in mind a couple big men redshirted this year in 6-11 Daniel Miller and 6-8 Kammeon Holsey.
You guys, I just wanted to say I really appreciate all the back-n-forth this season. I’m headed down to spring training tomorrow, and my duties shift back now to Braves coverage. But it’s been a great ride on Tech basketball. I’d be lying if I weren’t disappointed not to be headed to St. Louis this weekend. I am.
Anyway, looks like Doug Roberson has kindly agreed to follow the Tech basketball news in the next coupla weeks, so be on the lookout. Take care, and come see me on the Braves blog.
IL Jacket
March 22nd, 2010
5:13 pm
Great season Jackets! Loved watching you at the Bradley Center. Irrespective of what Lawal and Favors decide, I personally wish them all the best, they have been a lot of fun to watch. Congratulations to Paul Hewitt on another great season for the Yellow Jackets.
UGA 1
March 22nd, 2010
5:19 pm
Hewitt should fired! I’m a UGA fan, but as an outsider looking in, I see no reason why he is still there. He is a good recruiter of talent but a failure at coaching it! If Favors is smart he will leave Tech as soon as possible before Hewitt makes him look bad.
Dawgs still in NCAA, not Tech
March 22nd, 2010
5:19 pm
Sorry, only one state school still in NCAA tourney, GO DAWGS, playing tonight for chance to advance to Sweet Sixteen. Must be hard pill to swallow for the poor pitiful Jackets.
ACC Rules, not
March 22nd, 2010
5:26 pm
How many SEC teams are in the Sweet Sixteen versus ACC teams? OOPS, we used to be able to hang out hat on that. Now we just plain suk in everything.
Gordon
March 22nd, 2010
5:27 pm
Tech Fan,
You’re welcome to use my posts anytime you want. If people like them, give me the credit. If they don’t, you take the blame.
Angus
March 22nd, 2010
5:38 pm
Thanks for the GT hoops coverage, Carroll. I’m sure there has been easier tasks.
Enjoy the rest of Spring Training.
techie
March 22nd, 2010
6:12 pm
If you haven’t been mugged, get the heck out of there before you are. Get the money. Besides, Hewitt will be back!
Reality Bites
March 22nd, 2010
6:44 pm
This just in….St Johns is VERY interested in Hewitt. He, along with his sorry coaching, might be gone with Favors and Lawal. Comon St Johns, bail us out of this mess!!!!!!!!
NoLion
March 22nd, 2010
7:15 pm
Did I miss something this season, Tech, played for the ACC Championship(came in 2nd) went to the dance, one 1 st round.there are pleanty of colleges that would give their left__ut to be where Tech is. Ask any of them at the NIT tournament…. Stop your bitching and get behind the program or get out.. Don’t need your negative attitude…and by the way, I’m a GA Bulldog graduate…
GaPeach
March 22nd, 2010
8:03 pm
Best Wishes and God Bless Derrick and Gani. Whatever you two decide you will be sucessful!!! You will ALWAYS have people that will stand behind you and you will have many haters. Thats to bad, but thats the way it is. So keep your head on straight and surround yourselves with great, successful, intelligent people. And NO Favors did not fell, he is doing very well despite what the idiot above said. and to CHPatt…..whoever you are maybe you didnt like Derrick in high sschool if you really went there. Because I walked the halls everyday and Derrick was loved and respected by every student, teacher and staff member around. SO please get your facts together before you spread lies. Thats unfortunate that you could not be so sucessful, God Bless you too!!!!! To Derrick and Gani go get’em!!!!!
blackprix
March 22nd, 2010
8:37 pm
This is no longer about players leaving but about a coach continuing to be mediocre and his team not improving during the course of a season.
I have not seen a Tech team in the last 6 seasons that got better that the season wore on. I’ve seen a Tech team takes steps backwards and sometimes look like there was no coaching at all.
I was sick of hearing how young this team was … by Tourney time, all these freshmen should have been playing like sophomores and improved their game. We’ve got NBA talent with high school coaching!
I’ve seen enough, this program is doomed under Paul Hewitt.
Ghost of Whack Hyder
March 22nd, 2010
8:38 pm
Let me know when GA Tech chooses a coach with character and one who recruits the same. Until then I will be disguised as an empty seat at the tit.
Ron Burgundy
March 22nd, 2010
8:40 pm
Please don’t get our hopes up about them staying… Just like you did about our football players.
RamblinWreck
March 22nd, 2010
8:51 pm
I’m a freshman at Tech, and I have a class with Derrick Favors. The first day of class he was there to get his syllabus and whatnot, but he has not been there since, so my guess is that is going to enter the draft.
Reality
March 22nd, 2010
9:13 pm
I honestly have no idea why the pros are so high on Favors. He is an average college player with potential…. undeveloped potential. Are they really ready to throw big money on that? I just don’t get it.
Bill
March 22nd, 2010
9:58 pm
Favors is not an average college player. He had very average guards playing with him. If he came back….a real longshot…it would be because he loves college. Since he isn’t going to classes ( as it seems), don’t think he will turn down top 5 money. How could he……Lawal is also gone. But Gani will have to learn to play against more physical NBA players better than he has against strong college players. He needs to work on his hands to have a chance at a good NBA life. ….Holsey could be special over the next few years. Problem is who does Tech have to play up front with him?
Rock On......
March 22nd, 2010
10:31 pm
Would everyone on here quit mentioning Duke. It amazes me how many players seem to “work in their system” but can’t play a radio in the NBA. Quick…name me 3 players ever for Duke that were worth a crap in the NBA. Coach Crybaby can’t coach ‘em up either. I can go back 20 years easy and not come up with but a few “minor” players that had any impact whatsoever. Man I can just see the Cherokee Parks fans getting riled up as I type this. Not to mention the Bileas, Gminski, Laettner, Ferry, Jay Williams, etc. fans. Wow what a who’s who of NBA talent that school produces.
Give me the one and dones and pray they stay two. I’ll take recruiting the blue-chippers because that is how the game is played right now. Love it or leave it. I need a T.O. Baby!!!!!!!!!!
Rock On......
March 22nd, 2010
10:35 pm
Folks, there is absolutely NO CHANCE that Lawal or Favors is back. NONE. You can bank on that. Stating that they may come back is simply taking the company position.
college football
March 22nd, 2010
11:26 pm
one word…LOSERS!!!!!
ben
March 23rd, 2010
4:47 am
Born to buzz: If you think the NBA is better than in the Bird / Magic era, you are delusional. And if you think that college basketball is better than ever, you must be 14 and never watched the days when everyone had 4-year starters. And, as usual, everyone is carrying it a bit too far with Hewitt. Like Gailey, he’s not the worst coach in our history, so stop with the extreme comments. As he said, he got us to the big dance for the 5th time in ten years. That’s not the definition of “destroying the program”. I wish he were a better game coach, but he is a hell of a recruiter and we’re stuck with him.
Sam
March 23rd, 2010
6:02 am
All this crap about staying in college to develop is such crap. Come on people like Kendrick Perkins and Andrew Bynum are way better at their age then they ever would have been if they went to college. The NBA develops players much better then the NCAA can.
2 and done!!!!
March 23rd, 2010
8:09 am
Another typical overrated, overhyped, disappointing Yech hoops season down the drain with nothing to show for it!!!! And now they’ll watch YET another of their “student athletes” execute the annual ONE AND DONE practice that is common for Yech thugs!!!!
LOVE IT!!!!!!
Gordon
March 23rd, 2010
8:41 am
I don’t have hopes about Lawal or Favors staying, but I do have hopes about Hewitt leaving. He is on the short list for both St. John’s and DePaul. If I had a choice between Hewitt, Lawal, and Favors all staying or all leaving, I would take the latter in a heartbeat.
GT Fan
March 23rd, 2010
9:40 am
Please Fire that DA Hewitt……………
Fueling a Navy Hornet in Afghanistan
March 23rd, 2010
10:16 am
I suspect tech fans were thilled to the Bone ( get it? Wishbone) when the moron Navy pilots OVERFLEW GF@HBDS. Now? They all are HUMILIATED by the same guys being demoted and knowing that they will forever be just gas jockey’s for Hornets.
The entire world knows that these two morons went to Tech and now Tech with their knifings, stabbings and assaults and car jackings, drug deals has this to brag about.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAH
BigTimeTechFan
March 23rd, 2010
11:01 am
Shumpert is the best player and most NBA ready. I hope he stays.
A long flight back from Venus
March 23rd, 2010
11:17 am
After such a long flight back from Venus, Delta is still two hours late touching down. Maybe the pilot is a FORMER NAVY aviator or something. Anyway, um, ah how many ACC BB teams are still alive in the NCAAs and how many SEC teams are? Hmmmm???
Fans wanna know. I mean after all, “um, ah, we are a BASKETBALL conference”, right?
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHHAHA,AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHHAHAHA
Reggie Ball's Math tutor (s )
March 23rd, 2010
11:33 am
Is it true that QB great Reggie Ball was taught to add and subtract ( as in # of downs ) by the two FORMER NAVY aviators, now being laughed at by the entire world?
Maverick and Cougar? Nope ………….dumb and dumber.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHHA,AAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHHAHA
juvenal
March 23rd, 2010
11:47 am
good job, Carroll-thanks..
TP
March 23rd, 2010
11:48 am
gone.
GT Fan
March 30th, 2010
8:03 am
Keep it up…Fire Paul Hewitt.
P.J.
March 31st, 2010
11:36 am
Unlike several on this blog, I am a big Paul Hewitt Fan, but I will agree that he needs to draft players who will stick around to develop team chemistry and improve the fundamentals in order for the Program to benefit. I have been saying this for the past three years, and if he does not change his focus in recruiting, I can no longer support him. It is no coincidence that several mid majors perform so well, because the guys in their program are not the one and done, they stick around. Duke is consistently good and so is Kansas Jayhawks, Carolina and Connecticut, because they hardly recruit those kind of players. i hope Paul will reflect on this going forward.
Harry
April 1st, 2010
1:07 am
Sheehan reminds me so much of Zaza, THEY BOTH SUCK….GT should be good next year with all our guards. It’ll be touch getting back into the dance, especially in the ACC