Basketball Intelligence For 10/27/25
Austin is awesome in Lakers win, Mavs gallop past Raptors for first victory, Heat feet continue to run in win over the Knicks, and much more...
*FEATURES OF THE DAY*
Why Can’t the N.B.A. Move On from Its Old Stars?
Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker
NBA Power Rankings: Knicks, Warriors rise; one big question each team needs to answer
Law Murray, The Athletic
TEAM NEWS
ATL: Why this season is so important for Trae Young and the Hawks
Ohm Youngmisuk, ESPN
BI: Young, who has a player option after this year, is in many ways auditioning for his next contract—be that with an Atlanta team that has begun to orient itself around its young core, or for one of the many teams league-wide who are in need of point guard play.
BOS: Celtics offensive rebounding woes continue in 119-113 loss to Pistons
Bill Sy, Celtics Blog
BOS: Celtics-Pistons: The Good, The Bad, and What was Better than Expected
Sherrod Blakely, Full Court Press Newsletter
BOS: 4 takeaways as Celtics lose to Pistons as rookie gets unexpected start
Brian Robb, Masslive.com
BOS: Rebounds, Rhythm, and Reality Checks
Adam Taylor, The Celtics Chronicle
CHI: Tre Jones is already the bargain signing of the offseason and it’s not close
Austin McGee, Pippen Ain’t Easy
Jones ranks third in net rating, first in plus/minus, third in true shooting percentage, and first in both assists and steals. Through two games, the former San Antonio Spur is averaging 12.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 8.0 assists, and 4.0 steals while shooting 53.3 percent from the field and 66.7 percent from three.
CHI: Bulls point guard Tre Jones welcomes throwback label
Joe Cowley, Chicago Sun-Times
CLE: Evan Mobley’s maturity moment: Accepting criticism and delivering when it matters
Wine and Gold Podcast, Cleveland.com
CLE: How the Cavs’ roster depth creates matchup nightmares
Wine and Gold Podcast, Cleveland.com
CLE: 14 takeaways from Cavs win over Bucks: Sam Merrill has ‘probably been our best player’
Jackson Flickinger, Fear the Sword
“He was one of our best defenders last year, and he’s showing it again this year,” Donovan Mitchell said.
Maybe it’s hyperbolic to say he’s one of their best defenders. The Cavs do have some of the best front-court defenders in the league. But he has come a long way from being thought of as a defensive liability earlier in his career.
DAL: Mavericks’ Cooper Flagg ‘feels great’ after notching first NBA win
Christian Clark, The Athletic
DEN: Nikola Jokic channels ‘Peaky Blinders’ as second unit serves as sigh of relief for Nuggets
Vinny Benedetto, The Dener Gazette