NBA Rumors: Derrick Favors Will Explode Next Season with More Playing Time

After two eye-opening games against the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference quarterfinals, Derrick Favors has apparently won over Utah Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin.

That bodes well for Favors next season as he gets ready to make a major impact in the NBA.

Brian T. Smith of the Salt Lake Tribune tweeted on Sunday:

"

Corbin said Favors' development has been sudden and very impressive, and he knows he needs to get him more time.

— Brian T. Smith (@tribjazz) May 6, 2012"

Favors, of course, was part of a blockbuster trade that sent Deron Williams to New Jersey last season. As the No. 3 overall pick in the 2010 NBA draft, he's been waiting to explode for a while now.

He said of the trade that sent him to Utah, via the New York Post, "They wanted to trade me ever since I got drafted. It's a business and they have to deal with it."

Opponents will have to deal with Favors next season, who erupted for a combined 31 points, 21 rebounds, four blocks and four steals in Games 3 and 4 against the Spurs.

Even before Favors' performance against the Spurs in the playoffs, he was already showing signs of coming around. In 13 regular-season games in April, he averaged 9.9 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 25 minutes per game while shooting 57 percent from the floor. In his lone start of the playoffs, he actually helped the Jazz make a game out of it against the Spurs as they eventually fell, 87-81.

As you may remember, DeMarcus Cousins of the Sacramento Kings was a top-five pick in the 2010 draft, as well. He was also labeled with character concerns. But when Paul Westphal's grip was detached this season, Cousins blossomed, averaging 18.1 points, 11.0 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.2 blocks, becoming an instant star.

This is what the Jazz may be looking at if they unleash Favors next season. He stands to become a fixture for the team's future if he can stay relatively under control. After getting swept by the Spurs, they need all the help they can get.

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