Derrick Favors' minutes unaffected by Troy Murphy’s return
After missing New Jersey’s first three games, Troy Murphy made his season debut with the Nets on Wednesday 3 November against the Charlotte Bobcats, but will likely play fewer minutes than he’s expecting
this season.
Nets head coach Avery Johnson said that the nine-year veteran centre-forward will get his opportunities, but they will not reduce Derrick Favors’ minutes since the 19-year old forward is starting to fit in
with the Nets in their first four games of the season.
The third-overall pick in this year’s draft is currently averaging 10.5 points and 9.5 rebounds in 22 minutes a game, and Favors’ development is one of New Jersey’s top priorities this season.
"This whole year is about Favors growing as an NBA player, so his minutes won’t be affected," Johnson said. "Whatever minutes he’s been getting, his minutes will stay the same."
Although he has been involved in the never-ending Carmelo Anthony trade rumours, the former Georgia Tech standout is showing that he is not bothered at all by the trade talks surrounding him. He recorded
his first NBA double-double when he scored 13 points and grabbed 13 boards in their blowout loss against the Miami Heat on Sunday 31 October.
The 6ft 10in forward followed it up with another impressive night as he racked up 11 points and eight rebounds in 24 minutes against the Bobcats.
Favors is expected to have the same amount of playing time, when the Nets travel to Orlando to face the Magic on Friday 5 November at the Amway Center.
Joe Smith, who was the Nets’ starting power-forward in their first three games, will be the odd man out when Murphy gets back to his usual form.
"That's no knock on Joe," Johnson said on Smith, who was inactive in their game against Charlotte. "He just hasn't played a lot and this is a different stage of Joe's career."
Johnson, who is in his first year as the Nets head coach, expects Murphy to be in full shape next week and will start provide the offensive punch that they are expecting from the 30-year old centre since
acquiring him in a four-team trade in August.
Murphy, who went out with an injured lower back in October, averaged 14.6 points and 10.2 rebounds per game last season, when he was still with the Indiana Pacers.
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