PORTLAND — Derrick Favors represents Atlanta, Georgia’s south side, growing up on Cleveland Avenue to be specific.
Al-Farouq Aminu also hails from Atlanta, but he grew up on the east side of town, with Nigerian kings in his lineage.
Although Favors and Aminu weren’t extremely close in Atlanta, they certainly hold that mutual respect for one another for rising above the same struggles in the same city.
The NBA forwards once again crossed paths during Sunday’s preseason matchup as the Utah Jazz were in town to face the Portland Trail Blazers.
Utah would ultimately come out on top, 123-112, with Favors posting 11 points and four rebounds to Aminu’s six points and six boards, but the moment is always bigger than basketball.