SALT LAKE CITY -- Mark Eaton still holds the NBAs single-season shot-blocking record and he had powerful dunks to match. Yet, there are times the retired Jazz defender sits in awe watching Utah second-year pro Derrick Favors. "I did that once, but it was only a dream," Eaton said after seeing Favors reverse jam in traffic against Orlando last week. "Hes still a young player trying to find his way, but he has these moments that are spectacular and give you a glimpse of somewhat untapped potential." While Favors quiet, unassuming nature may mask his fire, his emergence is one of the big reasons the overachieving Jazz are in the playoffs for the 25th time in franchise history. They faded last year following the retirement of Hall of Fame coach Jerry Sloan and a trade that sent superstar Deron Williams to the New Jersey Nets. Jazz big man Al Jefferson called the 6-foot-10 Favors, who was acquired along with Devin Harris for Williams, a "beast." "He does so many wonderful things and his confidence is getting better and better and thats scary. Hes got a chance to be one of the best players in this league one day," Jefferson said. It helps that Favors no longer is living out of a suitcase, or hearing his name tossed about in daily trade rumours -- two things that happened last year before Jazz ownership signed off on the blockbuster deal. "It was tough, not knowing where I was going to be, living in a hotel," said Favors, who is from Atlanta, played a season at Georgia Tech and was a Net the first 60 games of his NBA career. "It messes with you mentally. You feel like youre not wanted. But now Im happy. Im in a better place where I can stay." Favors wont turn 21 until July and is one of four Jazz players 22 or younger -- all lottery picks who contribute, whether its starting or providing a spark off the bench. Seven of Utahs players have never seen the post-season, a stark contrast to first-round opponent San Antonio, whose players have 597 games of combined playoff experience. Unlike the Spurs, who have an All-Star in Tony Parker, a two-time NBA MVP in Tim Duncan and sixth man standout Manu Ginobili, the Jazz are devoid of stars. Al Jefferson is the biggest name, though he is playing his first post-season game since 2005. The rest are pieces of the puzzle assembled by Jazz brass and moulded by Tyrone Corbin, who will be coaching only his 95th game, and first in the post-season, Sunday in San Antonio. Paul Millsap was considered trade bait early but has fueled Utahs Big 3 lineup by stepping out to small forward at times. Gordon Hayward was booed by Jazz fans when he was drafted two years ago but has stepped up his game since moving to shooting guard because of injuries there. Harris looked lost trying to replace a perennial All-Star at point guard but now is playing with confidence, speed and desire. And DeMarre Carroll has started the last nine games after being cast off in February by Denver. Add in two more castoffs in Josh Howard and Jamaal Tinsley, and rookies Enes Kanter and Alec Burks, and the Jazz have a team with great chemistry and energy, though maybe not enough experience to challenge a Spurs squad still mad about last years first-round exit. "I dont ever want to sound like I told you so, but at the beginning of the year I think we talked about it not being a rebuilding year," Jazz general manager Kevin OConnor said. "We just felt that we were better than everyone else thought we were and its nice to come out and prove it. You have to prove it on the court. I think we did." While Corbins use of the Big Three lineup hinged on Millsaps willingness to move down to small forward, it wouldnt have worked without Favours stepping up his game. Favors became the youngest player in Jazz history to score 20-plus points during his 23-point, 17-rebound effort against Golden State on March 17. In a playoff-clinching win over the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday, he had a career-high five blocks in the first half alone. He enters the post-season second on the team in blocks with 65 and first in dunks with 68. He would have had at least one more jam but missed late in the fourth quarter against Phoenix. While the Jazz have figured out a way to get Favors on the floor more, now they have to figure out how to keep him out of foul trouble. Corbin hopes the ticky-tack fouls decrease as Favors gains more recognition and officiating crews see what an athlete with a 7-foot-4 wingspan and 9-foot-2 standing reach can do. "The referees are learning he can cover from here to there and block a shot and not foul a guy," Corbin said. "The play looks so freaky, (refs) at times dont think he can make it. Well, he can make that play." Favors insisted he never has felt pressure, whether it was as a top college recruit, No. 3 overall pick in the 2010 draft, or now that hell be facing the Spurs. "Hell be ready and I think theyll be intimidated," Jefferson said of the Spurs. The ever-humble Favors wouldnt go that far. "I know theyre a good team, got a great coach and great players, but I dont get intimidated," he said simply. Thats about as self-assured as the 20-year-old can be. Just dont expect to see him get a big head. "I cant," Favors said. "Its not in my personality." That makes fans like Eaton, who blocked 456 shots during the 1984-85 season, want to watch even more. "You got to love guys who let their game talk for them," Eaton said. Carlton Fisk White Sox Jersey . Was it a point gained, or a point lost? For Jets head coach Claude Noel and a number of players the thought was it was a point lost because after a very good start to the game, they could not maintain it for a full 60 minutes. Bruce Bochy Giants Jersey . The end of this mess of a season for the Minnesota Twins still mattered to the veteran right-hander, who wanted no part of 100 losses. http://www.officialmlbonline.net/Atlanta-Braves-Cyber-Monday-Julio-Teheran-Jersey-Black-Friday/ . -- The Kootenay Ice exploded for five goals in a huge second period in their Western Hockey League final game against Portland. Willie Mays Giants Jersey . Hudsons hit made Mike Adams (3-1) a winner, despite allowing the first run of the game in the eighth. Cory Luebke, a reliever turned starter, lasted five innings of one-hit ball in his first start this season for San Diego. Kosuke Fukudome Cubs Jersey . The Hamilton Tiger-Cats go into the 101st Grey Cup with very little pressure and a lot of love.PARIS -- Dimitar Berbatov joined Monaco from Fulham on Friday in the latest chapter of the mercurial forwards career on an otherwise quiet final day of the transfer window in France. Monaco is challenging fellow big-spender Paris Saint-Germain for the French title and needed to sign a striker to compensate for Colombia striker Radamel Falcaos long-term injury. Falcao is expected to miss the rest of the season after tearing a ligament in his left knee on Jan. 22. "Im happy, excited, and a little bit nervous to be honest," the 33-year-old Berbatov said. "Im looking forward to training with my new teammates and to open a new chapter in my career." Berbatov shone in spells for Manchester United, Tottenham and Fulham, scoring 94 league goals in 229 league games. Prior to that, he netted 69 goals in 154 league games for German side Bayer Leverkusen. He also scored 48 goals in 77 matches for Bulgaria before retiring from the national team. "Dimitar will bring us all his experience and talent. Of course, his arrival is connected to Falcaos injury," Monaco vice-president Vadim Vasilyev said. "Hes played in big clubs such as Manchester United and hes a great striker. We still have two competitions to play in and he will be an asset." Monaco also reinforced its defence by signing centre half Aymen Abdennour on loan from Toulouse until the end of the season, with an option to buy the Tunisia international. Meanwhile, having spent the off-season trying to sell key players in order to raise funds, Lyon presidennt Jean-Michel Aulas spent the last hours of the January transfer window turning down bids.dddddddddddd Lyons highly-rated midfielder Clement Grenier chose not to move to Newcastle, which is trying to replace Yohan Cabaye after selling him to Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday. Newcastle coach Alan Pardew had spoken about Grenier in glowing terms and the club was in advanced talks with Lyon. "Ive decided to stay with Lyon and, for me, the best place to be is Lyon," Grenier said Friday. "I had no intention of leaving this winter. We still have a lot of things we want to achieve, both collectively and individually -- with a view to the World Cup. Its the best thing for my personal improvement." There were also offers for striker Bafetimbi Gomis, who will be out of contract at the end of the season and who Aulas desperately tried to sell in August, while the player steadfastly refused to go. Marseille right back Rod Fanni also knocked back a chance to join Queens Park Rangers, which plays in Englands second-tier Championship, according to La Provence newspaper. Midfielder Joshua Guilavogui and former Bordeaux left back Benoit Tremoulinas joined Saint-Etienne on loan from Atletico Madrid and Dynamo Kyiv respectively. Saint-Etienne has an option to buy Tremoulinas for (euro)4 million ($5.4 million) at the end of the season. Nantes signed striker Itay Shechter on loan from Hapoel Tel Aviv with an option to sign him for two years. The Israel forward scored 33 league goals in 61 games during his Hapoel career. cheap jerseys cheap nfl jerseys ' ' '