TEAM-SPECIFIC STORIES
BOS: The Celtics' closing opportunity: Why the stakes are higher than ever
Tim Bontemps, ESPN
BOS: $300 million man Jaylen Brown ready to step into leadership role for retooled Celtics
Kyle Hightower, AP
CHA: LaMelo Ball's next evolution might include more time in the midrange
Quinn Everts, Basketball News
CHI: Can Torrey Craig help motivate Patrick Williams?
Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune
Every improvement the Bulls want to make - taking more shots, drawing more fouls, generating more catch-and-shoot 3s — stems from aggressively getting into the paint with aggression and decisively shooting the ball.
Players know this. Coaches know this. Fans certainly know it too. Yet the timidity remains.
“We just have too many shots we’re passing up,” Donovan said. “We’re shot-faking and passing them up and we’re trying to drive the ball and we’re not even going to the rim. We’re driving to the elbow and stopping and trying to pass it. Then we end up with a more difficult shot than we had prior to that.”
Williams is the most blatant example of the Bulls’ lack of edge — if only because of the disparity between his best and worst moments. Donovan believes the key to unlocking Williams is to encourage him to embrace contact with the ball in his hands.
“Because of his size, I don’t necessarily mind when he gets to his spot and pulls up,” Donovan said. “The ones I do mind are when he settles, because I do think there’s another gear that he can go to physically where he can just go right through the guy and get to the rim or get to the free-throw line and generate more offense that way. A lot of times he — I don’t want to say gives up on the play — but he’ll stop because he can always go to that. But you don’t get fouled on those shots, you don’t offensive rebound those shots.”
CHI: Coby White strengthens case to be a starter, Patrick Williams’ role and more
Darnell Mayberry, The Athletic
GSW: Stephen Curry hits game-winning 3 in preseason win over Kings
Shayna Rubin, Mercury News
GSW: Film Breakdown: How the Warriors avoid empty possessions by emptying a corner
Joe Viray, Golden State Of Mind
GSW: Chris Paul shows he belongs in Warriors' closing lineup
Monte Poole, NBC Sports
GSW: Three takeaways from the Warriors’ thrilling preseason victory over Kings
Dalton Johnson, NBC Sports
IND: Bennedict Mathurin is No Quarterback
Jacob Sutton, JSutt Hoops
LAC: The Clippers Don’t Need to Swing for James Harden, but Maybe They Should
Chris Herring Sports Illustrated
LAC: How much depth is too much?
Andrew Greif, LA Times
LAL: Can Austin Reaves Make Another Jump and Bring the Lakers With Him?
Above The Break
LAL: Are the Lakers Set Up for Success or Disappointment?
Michael Pina, The Ringer
LAL: Anthony Davis is passing new test to help the Lakers’ offense
Dan Woike, LA Times
MIA: One change for Heat’s Lowry this season. And Jaquez out for now. And former GM weighs in
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald
MIA: Tyler Herro thought the Heat would trade him. Now, he’s out to ‘show people my value’
William Guillory, The Athletic
MIL: Has Bucks wing Malik Beasley locked up a starting spot? It seems likely
Dalton Sell, Behind The Buck Pass
MIN: Naz Reid is off to a promising start as a power forward
Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic
NOP: The Pelicans preseason is over. Here's what we've learned, including Zion Williamson's role
Christian Clark, The Advocate
NYK: Takeaways from the Knicks 3rd Preseason Game
Tommy Beer, What’s On Tap
ORL: Magic must give Joe Ingles minutes
Kyle Langan, Orlando Magic Daily
PHI: Sixers ‘bracing for turbulence’ as James Harden skips practice, enters uncomfortable stage of holdout
Gina Mizell, The Inquirer
PHI: Harden cynics predicted drama would eventually hit the Sixers. It didn’t take long
Keith Pompey, The Inquirer
PHI: 5 Most Interesting NBA Teams: The Philadelphia 76ers
Dan Devine, Yahoo Sports
PHO: How the Suns Big 3 will balance aggression and unselfishness on offense
Gerald Bourguet, Go PHNX
PHO: PODCAST: Suns Season Preview with guest Gerald Bourguet
Ray LeBov/Nick Agar-Johnson, Kings Weekly
PHO: Suns' Big 3 Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal have 'high standard,' push each other
Duane Rankin, Arizona Republic
PHO: Suns' new star trio has rest of West on notice this season
John Schuhmann, NBA.com
SAC: 6 quick thoughts from loss to Dubs
James Ham, The Kings Beat
SAC: Murray shines, Jones gets early call as Kings fall to Warriors
Frankie Cartoscelli, Sactown Sports
SAS: The 'Point-Sochan' era could be upon us
Matthew Tynan, Corporate Knowledge
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