Basketball Intelligence For 12/10/21
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TEAM STORIES
- ATL: Trae Young's Game Is More Dangerous Than Ever (from Michael Pina, Sports Illustrated): https://www.si.com/nba/2021/12/10/trae-young-hawks-game-dangerous-than-ever
From Jackson Frank, DIME Mag : https://uproxx.com/dimemag/trae-young-midrange-atlanta-hawks-stats-analysis/
- ATL: Nate McMillan: From Reluctant HC To 700-Game Winner (from Marc J. Spears, The Undefeated): https://theundefeated.com/features/hawks-nate-mcmillan-from-reluctant-head-coach-to-700-game-winner/
- BKN: Film Study: Why The Nets Are Falling Short Vs Fellow Contenders (from Matt Brooks, Nets Daily): https://www.netsdaily.com/2021/12/9/22826033/film-study-why-the-brooklyn-nets-are-falling-short-against-fellow-contenders
- BKN: Takeaways From Harden's Return To Houston (from Alex Schiffer, The Athletic): https://theathletic.com/3006471/2021/12/09/back-in-houston-james-harden-sees-old-faces-recent-struggles-and-a-glimpse-at-the-rockets-future/
- BOS: Takeaways From Loss To Clippers (from Jared Weiss, The Athletic): https://theathletic.com/3008129/2021/12/10/how-jayson-tatum-can-fix-the-celtics-brief-but-destructive-offensive-collapses/
From Adam Taylor, Celtics Blog: https://www.celticsblog.com/2021/12/9/22826402/turnovers-transition-defense-brandon-boston-jr-boston-celtics-lost-2nd-quarter-jayson-tatum-clippers
- CHI: McKinnie Is Getting His Shot With His Hometown Team (from Sam Smith, bulls.com): https://www.nba.com/bulls/features/chicago-native-alfonzo-mckinnie-getting-his-shot-his-hometown-team
- CLE: Rubio Has Found A Home In Cleveland (from Kelsey Russo, The Athletic): https://theathletic.com/3007939/2021/12/10/after-the-hardest-year-of-his-career-and-an-offseason-trade-ricky-rubio-has-found-his-home-in-cleveland/
- CLE: Mobley: Not Your Average Rookie (from Ashley Bastock, cleveland.com): https://www.cleveland.com/cavs/2021/12/evan-mobley-continues-to-show-he-isnt-your-average-nba-rookie.html
- DAL: Reggie Bullock Is More Than Just A 3-And-D Player For Mavs (from Luke Askew, Mavs Moneyball): https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2021/12/9/22826166/reggie-bullock-is-more-than-just-a-3-and-d-player-for-the-mavericks
- DEN: Film Breakdown: The Nuggets' Injury Impact (from Gage Bridgford, Denver Stiffs): https://www.denverstiffs.com/2021/12/10/22827902/denver-nuggets-film-friday-everything-going-come-crashing-down-nikola-jokic-facu-campazzo-bones-nba
- DEN: How Jokic Keeps Getting Better (from Scott Rafferty, Sporting News): https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/news/nikola-jokic-mvp-nuggets/82u2xj5k9r21dvsz08nnbohm
- DET: Killian Hayes' Offensive Game Is Beginning To Take Shape (from Bryce Simon, Detroit Bad Boys): https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2021/12/10/22824017/detroit-pistons-killian-hayes-offensive-game-film-dont-lie
- DET: Film Study: Examining Isaiah Stewart's Offensive Role (from Bryce Simon, Detroit Bad Boys): https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2021/12/9/22824690/detroit-pistons-isaiah-stewart-offensive-identity
- GSW: Steph's Remarkable Rise To Three-Point King (from Ben Golliver/ Artur Golcha, Washington Post): https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/interactive/2021/stephen-curry-three-point-record/
- HOU: Rockets Winning With An Unlikely Band Of Heroes (from Ethan Fuller, Basketball News): https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/stats-notebook-rockets-winning-with-an-unlikely-band-of-heroes
- HOU: Jalen Green's Absence Is Not The Reason For The Rockets' Winning Streak (from Lachard Binkley, The Dream Shake): https://www.thedreamshake.com/2021/12/10/22827742/jalen-greens-absence-is-not-the-reason-for-houston-rockets-winning-streak-nba
- LAC: Marcus Morris, Sr Is Bringing Veteran Consistency (from Sabreena Merchant, Clips Nation): https://www.clipsnation.com/2021/12/9/22825410/la-clippers-news-marcus-morris-post-ups-veteran-consistency
- LAC: Brandon Boston Jr Is Here For The Clips...And Not A Moment Too Soon (from Law Murray, The Athletic): https://theathletic.com/3006874/2021/12/09/brandon-boston-jr-is-here-for-clippers-and-not-a-moment-too-soon/
- LAC: Batum Is Happy To Be Back, Post COVID Sidelining (from Mirjam Swanson, OC Register): https://www.ocregister.com/2021/12/09/clippers-nicolas-batum-happy-to-be-back-after-covid-19-left-him-pretty-sick/
- LAL: Can A Healthy(Ish) Lakers Roster Get Vogel Off The Hot Seat? (from Dan Devine, The Ringer): https://www.theringer.com/nba/2021/12/9/22826360/los-angeles-lakers-starting-lineup-rotation-frank-vogel
From Ian Levy, The Step Back: https://fansided.com/2021/12/10/frank-vogel-list-control-lakers/
- MEM: How The Grizzlies Are Thriving Without Ja (from Joe Vardon, The Athletic): https://theathletic.com/3008599/2021/12/10/a-hibernating-bear-drinking-water-and-corny-road-maps-how-the-grizzlies-are-thriving-without-ja-morant/
- MIL: Big 3's Big Start; Javonte Smart's Quick Impression (from Jim Owczarski, Journal Sentinel): https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/nba/bucks/2021/12/09/milwaukee-bucks-big-3-off-big-start-javonte-smart-makes-quick-impression/6439128001
- NYK: Revisiting 10 Preseason Knicks' Storylines (from Fred Katz, The Athletic): https://theathletic.com/3008161/2021/12/10/revisiting-10-knicks-storylines-that-were-addressed-before-the-nba-season/
- OKC: Did The Thunder Find Lightning In A Bottle With Giddey? (from Mat Issa, Basketball News): https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/did-the-thunder-find-lightning-in-a-bottle-with-josh-giddey
From Michael Shapiro, Sports Illustrated: https://www.si.com/nba/2021/12/10/josh-giddey-oklahoma-city-thunder-rookie
- PHI: Tyrese Maxey Charges Ahead (from Gina Mizell, The Inquirer): https://www.inquirer.com/sixers/a/tyrese-maxey-stats-philadelphia-sixers-20211210.html
- PHI: Taking Stock Of The Sixers (from Tom Moore, Courier Times): https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/sports/pro/2021/12/09/taking-stock-sixers-one-third-way-through-nba-season-76-ers-joel-embiid/8882920002/
- PHO: Ayton Was Blessed By The Basketball Gods (from Kevin O'Connor, The Ringer): https://www.theringer.com/video/2021/12/9/22825062/deandre-ayton-was-blessed-by-the-basketball-gods
- POR: The Blazers' Desperate Need For A Shakeup (from Chris Herring, Sports Illustrated): https://www.si.com/nba/2021/12/09/blazers-damian-lillard-future-ben-simmons-trade-rumors
- POR: Interim GM Joe Cronin Is On A Mission To Enhance The Roster (from Jason Quick, The Athletic): https://theathletic.com/3008367/2021/12/09/blazers-interim-gm-joe-cronin-is-on-a-mission-to-enhance-the-roster-and-that-could-mean-taking-risks/
From Aaron Fentress, Oregon Live: https://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2021/12/under-new-leadership-portland-trail-blazers-will-likely-look-to-make-roster-changes.html
From Casey Holdahl, Blazers.com: https://www.nba.com/blazers/forwardcenter/joe-cronin-gets-interim-gm-job-doing-what-hes-always-done-putting-organization-first
- POR: Has DSJ Made The Most Of His Blazers' Opportunity? (from Marlow Ferguson, Jr, Blazer's Edge ): https://www.blazersedge.com/2021/12/9/22823776/has-dennis-smith-jr-made-the-most-portland-trail-blazers-opportunity
- SAS: Derrick White Distributing The Ball In DeRozan-esque Style (from Tom Orsborn, Express news): https://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/Spurs-Derrick-White-distributing-ball-in-16689907.php
- TOR: What's Changed In VanVleet's Game? (from Blake Murphy, Fast Breakdown ):
- TOR: Takeaways From Loss To Thunder (from Samson Folk, Raptors Republic): https://www.raptorsrepublic.com/2021/12/09/collapsing-on-shai-gilgeous-alexander/
- UTA: What Rudy Gay Has Brought To The Jazz (from Mark Schindler, Basketball News): https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/rudy-gay-is-injecting-the-jazz-with-funk
- WAS: Kuzma's Blue Collar Skill Set Contributions To The Wizards (from Ricky O'Donnell, SBNation): https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2021/12/9/22825433/kyle-kuzma-wizards-lakers-evolution-defense-shooting-stats
- WAS: Unseld Jr Already Giving Wizards Playoff Aspirations (from Vincent Goodwill, Yahoo Sports): https://sports.yahoo.com/wes-unseld-jr-one-of-several-black-first-year-coaches-is-already-giving-wizards-playoff-aspirations-183815936.html
LEAGUE-WIDE STORIES
- Zach Lowe's 10 Things (from ESPN): https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/32831845/lowe-10-things-unique-genius-draymond-green-introducing-nba-yoink-god
- On Lillard, Miles Bridges, & The Rockets (from David Aldridge, The Athletic): https://theathletic.com/3003161/2021/12/10/aldridge-has-questions-on-damian-lillard-miles-bridges-blowup-and-the-rockets-crazy-turnaround/
- Aggregate 2022 Mock Draft (from Bryan Kalbrosky, Hoops Hype): https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2021/12/10/nba-mock-draft-paolo-banchero-chet-holmgren-jabari-smith-no-1/6448846001/
TAKEAWAYS FROMM LAST NIGHT'S GAMES
- SAS 123, DEN 111:
From Tommy Knowlton, Denver Stiffs: https://www.denverstiffs.com/2021/12/9/22827121/denver-nuggets-san-antonio-spurs-nikola-jokic-aaron-gordon-nba-dejounte-murray-will-barton
From Marilyn Dubinski, Pounding The Rock: https://www.poundingtherock.com/2021/12/9/22827238/the-spurs-always-had-an-answer-in-wire-to-wire-victory-over-the-nuggets
From Mike Singer, Denver Post: https://www.denverpost.com/2021/12/09/spurs-knock-off-nuggets-despite-nikola-jokics-third-straight-triple-double/
From Eric Spyropoulos, Nuggets.com: https://www.nba.com/nuggets/news/nuggets-spurs-120921
From Jeff McDonald, Express News: https://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/The-triple-take-Spurs-123-Nuggets-111-16690105.php
- MEM 108, LAL 95:
From Jovan Buha, The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/3008161/2021/12/10/revisiting-10-knicks-storylines-that-were-addressed-before-the-nba-season/
From Parker Fleming, Grizzly Bear Blues): https://www.grizzlybearblues.com/2021/12/10/22827497/report-card-grizzlies-interrupt-lake-show-with-statement-win-memphis-jaren-jackson-jr-lebron-nba
From Drew Hill, Daily Memphian: https://dailymemphian.com/section/sportsmemphis-grizzlies/article/25826/short-handed-grizzlies-jared-jackson-desmond-bane-win-over-lakers
From Chris Herrington, Daily Memphian: https://dailymemphian.com/section/sportsmemphis-grizzlies/article/25836/chris-herrington-memphis-grizzlies-makeshift-lineup
From Dan Woike, LA Times: https://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/story/2021-12-09/lebron-james-frustrated-lakers-lose-memphis-grizzlies-nba
From Kyle Goon, OC Register: https://www.ocregister.com/2021/12/09/sloppy-lakers-fade-against-short-handed-grizzlies/
From Evan Barnes, Commercial Appeal: https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/sports/nba/grizzlies/2021/12/10/memphis-grizzlies-basketball-los-angeles-lakers-live-updates-score-nba/8859163002/
- UTA 118, PHI 96:
From Rich Hofmann, The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/3008807/2021/12/10/joel-embiid-injury-concern-lack-of-rebounding-and-more-as-jazz-dismantle-sixers/
From Tony Jones, The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/3008437/2021/12/09/with-sixth-straight-win-jazz-are-playing-their-best-basketball-of-the-season/
From Keith Pompey, The Inquirer: https://www.inquirer.com/sixers/sixers-joel-embiid-fight-hard-vs-utah-jazz-20211209.html
From Sarah Todd, Deseret News: https://www.deseret.com/2021/12/9/22826014/instant-analysis-rudy-gobert-hassan-whitesides-contributions-spur-utah-jazz-to-win-over-76ers
From Andy Larsen, Salt Lake Tribune: https://www.sltrib.com/sports/jazz/2021/12/09/triple-team-jazz-play/
From Ryan Kostecka, Jazz.com: https://www.nba.com/jazz/news/5-things-jazz-blowout-sixers
From Jackson Frank, Liberty Ballers: https://www.libertyballers.com/2021/12/9/22827279/sixers-bell-ringer-philadelphias-three-game-win-streak-halts
THREE YEARS AGO TODAY: from the BI archives:
http://basketballintelligence.net/2018/12/10/todays-best-nba-reporting-analysis-121018/