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OKC Thunder set to start Derrick Favors at center, announce first five

By Rylan Stiles

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 26: Derrick Favors #15 of the Utah Jazz rebounds the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the third quarter of the game at Target Center on April 26, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Jazz 105-104. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 26: Derrick Favors #15 of the Utah Jazz rebounds the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the third quarter of the game at Target Center on April 26, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Jazz 105-104. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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The OKC Thunder have shuffled their starting center position throughout the preseason slate, as each of the possible candidates’ Derrick Favors, Isaiah Roby, and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl all earned starts with the first five. Mark Daigneault earlier in the week was not yet ready to name a starting center chalking it up to how well each of the bigs has played throughout the preseason camp.

The Oklahoma City Thunder head ball coach has made it known that Derrick Favors has earned the starting center role, at least for game one. He will start alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort, Josh Giddey, and Darius Bazley.

OKC Thunder set to start Derrick Favors, rookie Josh Giddey

When asked why Mark Daigneault elected Favors over Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Isaiah Roby, the Oklahoma City Thunder bench boss attributed it to the “stability” the veteran brings to the Thunder roster loaded with young and inexperienced players. You saw that ability from Favors in the third preseason game as the OKC Thunder not only came away with their lone win but also played more under control than the other three games.

Mark Daigneault also admitted the opponent played a role in this decision. Not in an on the court way such as Derrick Favors counterpart in Rudy Gobert, but off the floor.

Derrick Favors spent ten seasons in Utah, totaling 644-games for the organization, Daigneault announced him as a starter due to this being a homecoming for the 30-year-old. “I’m not going to lie, he is coming home, this is a special place to him, I wanted to acknowledge that.”

Josh Giddey, as projected since the first preseason game, is officially in the starting lineup for his NBA debut. Barring health, we will see Giddey start every game he is active this season as he embarks on his NBA career that the OKC Thunder hope is a successful one tabbing him as a blue-chip prospect next to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

What are your thoughts on the first starting group of the season?

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