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Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin broke the news before training camp even started.
Already numb to questions about Utah's starting five, Corbin offered a speculative what-if response about power forward Derrick Favors as proof everything would be up for grabs in Jazzland during 2011-12.
"He may come into camp and blow our minds away," Corbin said.
The words were issued Dec. 8. Eleven days later, Favors did just that.
The broad-shouldered big man was the only player on Utah's roster Monday during a 110-90 blowout preseason road loss to Portland who appeared prepared to face the Los Angeles Lakers on Dec. 27.
Favors dropped in a game-high 25 points on 10-of-15 shooting and collected a game-high 12 rebounds (five offensive). The No. 3 overall pick of the 2010 NBA Draft dished out two assists, grabbed a steal, committed only one foul and hit 5 of 8 free throws to hammer home his coming-out announcement: I'm ready — now.
"It was nice to finally show off the hard work I've been putting in," the 6-foot-10, 248-pound Favors said.
The 20-year-old's work was undeniably impressive, even in the context of what was technically a meaningless exhibition game.
For everything wrong about the Jazz's preseason debut, Favors was right. Utah lacked energy and focus; Favors didn't. The Jazz played without hustle and spark; Favors embodied the opposite.
While key Utah veterans helplessly watched Portland pound away in the interior and along the perimeter, Favors did everything within his power to prove his training-camp hype was worth the chatter. He alternated soft mid-range shots and hard putbacks with full-on beast mode, clearly outplaying vets who took the court before him. As each shot fell and rebound was sucked in, Favors' confidence soared.
"I'm just going out there doing inside, outside, power moves — just everything," Favors said. "I just tried to go out there and play my game."
On a disappointing night where there was so little to admire about the Jazz's performance, Favors caught Corbin's eye.
"He did a good job," Corbin said. "He was big inside. He got the ball inside and went to the basket a lot. He set some good screens and rolled to the basket and had a few offensive rebounds. His effort was good."
The effort was evident last summer, as Favors continued to chisel his body and add finesse to his power game, fine-tuning his on-the-court attack during the NBA lockout.
The Georgia Tech product entered camp looking stronger and sounding more assured than ever. He said the only thing he needed this season was playing time, acknowledging fondness for the idea of cracking the Jazz's starting five if Corbin was open to the move.
For Favors, minutes equal comfort. Comfort leads to confidence. Confidence creates 25-12 in the box score.
"The most important part for me is just going out there and getting comfortable within the offense and just finding my shots and playing my game," Favors said. "Whether I score or not, just [me] getting comfortable out there."
Less than two weeks after Corbin left the Jazz's front door open for Favors' breakout, Utah has been confronted with an unavoidable issue before the regular season has even started. The Jazz are running two races at once: trying to win games now while rebuilding for the future, attempting to do both without fully hitting the reset button. As a result, Favors didn't start Monday and initially clocked extra minutes only because Corbin was looking for a spark.
Power forward Paul Millsap and center Al Jefferson still top the Jazz's depth chart, while Corbin's been reluctant to announce any permanent changes to the starting lineup. Favors could be ready to explode, though, and he might be promoted to the first unit Wednesday during Utah's preseason finale against the Blazers if Millsap (right quadriceps tendinitis) is again inactive.
Either way, the wide-eyed kid who barely unpacked his bags as a freshman Yellow Jacket and was buried by Carmelo Anthony trade rumors during an uncomfortable 56-game stint in New Jersey is obviously ahead of schedule.
"All the work I've been putting in … [it's] just finally paying off and I'm ready to get out there and play," Favors said.
Breakout outing
Jazz power forward Derrick Favors' performance Monday at Portland:
Points • 25
Field goals • 10-15
Free throws • 5-8
Rebounds • 12 (five offensive)
Assists • 2
Steals • 1
Minutes • 29:20 —
Preseason Blazers at Jazz
P At EnergySolutions ArenaWednesday, 7 p.m.
TV • ROOT