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TEAM STORIES
- ATL: Trae Is Making His Bid For Superstardom (from Dan Devine, The Ringer): https://www.theringer.com/nba/2021/12/10/22828289/trae-young-superstar-atlanta-hawks
- BKN: Film Study: Nicolas Claxton (from Lucas Kaplan, Nets Daily): https://www.netsdaily.com/2021/12/11/22829246/the-brooklyn-nets-need-this-nicolas-claxton
- CLE: Okoro Brings JYD Mentality While Seeking Offensive Consistency (from Kelsey Russo, The Athletic): https://theathletic.com/3006423/2021/12/11/isaac-okoro-brings-junkyard-dog-mentality-to-cavs-while-seeking-offensive-consistency/
- DET: Billups' 'Tough Love' Approach (from Chris Haynes, Yahoo Sports): https://sports.yahoo.com/chauncey-billups-on-his-criticism-of-blazers-why-he-doesnt-talk-to-team-postgame-i-lead-with-love-182642113.html
- GSW: How Steph Has Changed High School Basketball (from Jerry McDonald, Mercury News): https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/12/11/how-stephen-curry-has-changed-the-course-of-high-school-basketball/
- HOU: The Rockets' Week In Review (from Rahat Huq, Chron.com): https://www.chron.com/sports/rockets/article/Rockets-thoughts-Eric-Gordon-midrange-shooters-16690538.php
- LAC: Brandon Boston Jr A Good Fit With Coach Lue, Clippers (from Mirjam Swanson, OC Register): https://www.ocregister.com/2021/12/10/brandon-boston-jr-finds-a-good-fit-with-tyronn-lue-clippers/
- LAC: Reggie Jackson's Struggles (from Andrew Greif, LA Times): https://news.yahoo.com/reggie-jackson-isnt-only-clipper-003659204.html
- MEM: How The Grizzlies Are Winning With Defense (from Nekias Duncan, Basketball News): https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/grindhouse-how-the-grizzlies-are-winning-with-defense
From Michael Wallace, Grizzlies.com: https://www.nba.com/grizzlies/news/grind-city-media/mikecheck-grizzlies-channel-z-bo-type-grit-while-grinding-through-resurgent-defensive-stretch-211210
- MIN: The Wolves Need To Make A Deal (from Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic): https://theathletic.com/3010201/2021/12/11/three-straight-home-blowouts-underscores-the-timberwolves-need-to-make-a-deal/
- POR: It's Time To Ignore The Mindless Lillard Trade Conjecture (from Sean Highkin, Bleacher Report): https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10020530-its-time-to-ignore-the-mindless-dame-lillard-trade-conjecture
- POR: Billups' 'Tough Love' Approach (from Chris Haynes, Yahoo Sports): https://sports.yahoo.com/chauncey-billups-on-his-criticism-of-blazers-why-he-doesnt-talk-to-team-postgame-i-lead-with-love-182642113.html
LEAGUE WIDE STORIES
- Every Player Who Becomes Trade-Eligible On 12/15 (from Michael Kaskey-Blomain, CBS Sports): https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/team-by-team-look-at-every-nba-player-eligible-to-be-traded-on-dec-15/
- Podcast: The Midrange Theory With Author Seth Partnow (from Ray LeBov, The Unrestricted Area/Basketball Intelligence): https://www.buzzsprout.com/1517914/9701087-the-midrange-theory-and-nba-rule-changes-with-seth-partnow
TAKEAWAYS FROM LAST NIGHT'S GAMES
- BKN 113, ATL 105:
From Chris Kirschner, The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/3010222/2021/12/11/hawks-fourth-quarter-woes-a-possible-diagnosis-for-their-struggles-and-more-observations-on-loss-to-nets/
From Sarah Spencer, AJC: https://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-hawks/hawks-fail-to-execute-late-in-loss-to-nets/AE5HN6DOTFBANBE3C62TNR53ZY/
From Zach Braziller, NY Post: https://nypost.com/2021/12/10/nets-defense-powers-drama-filled-road-win-over-hawks/
From Chris Milholen/Matt Brooks, Nets Daily: https://www.netsdaily.com/2021/12/10/22828806/kevin-durant-and-james-harden-combine-for-51-points-as-nets-defeat-hawks-113-105
- CHA 124, SAC 123:
From Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/scott-fowler/article256453221.html
From Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/charlotte-hornets/article256483696.html#storylink=mainstage_card
From Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee: https://www.sacbee.com/sports/nba/sacramento-kings/article256504461.html
- CLE 123, MIN 106:
From Terry Pluto, cleveland.com: https://www.cleveland.com/cavs/2021/12/its-a-whole-new-world-for-these-cavaliers-you-gotta-love-it-terry-plutos-scribbles.html
From Jace Frederick,Pioneer Press: https://www.twincities.com/2021/12/10/timberwolves-dismantled-by-cleveland-for-fifth-straight-loss/
- LAL 116, OKC 95:
From Kyle Goon, OC Register: https://www.ocregister.com/2021/12/10/lebron-james-scores-33-sets-tone-as-lakers-beat-thunder/
From Paris Lawson, OKCThunder.com: https://www.nba.com/thunder/recap/lakers-211210
From James D Jackson, The Oklahoman: https://www.oklahoman.com/story/sports/nba/thunder/2021/12/10/thunder-vs-lakers-score-nba-game-recap-takeaways-okc-loss-los-angeles/6464450001/
From Dan Woike, LA Times: https://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/story/2021-12-10/lakers-beat-thunder-on-the-road-without-anthony-davis
From Jovan Buha, The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/3010144/2021/12/11/lebron-james-remains-the-stabilizing-force-for-the-lakers-as-they-try-to-turn-a-corner/
- MIL 123, HOU 114:
From Jonathan Feigen, Houston Chronicle: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/rockets/article/Streak-ends-on-a-Freak-y-Friday-Takeaways-16693105.php and https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/rockets/article/Rockets-winning-streak-comes-to-an-end-after-16692937.php
From Dalton Sell, Behind The Buck Pass: https://behindthebuckpass.com/2021/12/11/takeaways-milwaukee-bucks-close-win-houston-rockets/
From Jim Owczarski, Behind The Buck Pass: https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/nba/bucks/2021/12/11/milwaukee-buck-vs-houston-rockets-toyota-center-game-score-updates/6454534001/
- NOP 109, DET 93:
From Keith Langlois, pistons.com:https://www.nba.com/pistons/news/third-quarter-bedevils-pistons-again-at-new-orleans
From Rod Beard, Detroit News: https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2021/12/10/pistons-falter-second-half-fall-pelicans-11-th-straight-loss/6460557001/
From Christian Clark, The Advocate: https://www.nola.com/sports/pelicans/article_f3bece3e-5a1b-11ec-afb4-23f9a5e54405.html
From Omari Sankofa II, Free Press: https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2021/12/10/detroit-pistons-score-new-orleans-pelicans/6470471001/
- PHO 111, BOS 90:
From Adam Himmelsbach, Boston Globe: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/12/11/sports/celtics-have-no-shot-blowout-loss-suns-other-observations/?event=event12
From Adam Spinella, Celtics Blog: https://www.celticsblog.com/2021/12/11/22828988/sluggish-second-quarter-dooms-boston-celtics-vs-phoenix-suns
From Kellan Olson, Arizona Sports: https://arizonasports.com/story/2930802/shorthanded-suns-play-confident-brand-of-basketball-overwhelm-celtics/
From Bobby Krivitsky, Sports Illustrated: https://www.si.com/nba/celtics/top-stories/what-stood-out-in-celtics-loss-to-suns-time-for-change
From Duane Rankin, Arizona Republic: https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2021/12/10/5-takeaways-suns-romp-over-celtics-without-deandre-ayton-and-devin-booker/6473312001/
- TOR 90, NYK 87:
From Mike Ganter, Toronto Sun: https://torontosun.com/sports/basketball/nba/toronto-raptors/starters-go-deep-as-raptors-edge-knicks
From Kyle Irving, NBA.com: https://ca.nba.com/news/raptors-knicks-gary-trent-jr-clutch/43s0891rcqr71bpt1s7tgcyt0
From Marc Berman, NY Post: https://nypost.com/2021/12/10/knicks-comeback-falls-short-in-tough-loss-to-raptors/
From Doug Smith, Toronto Star: https://www.thestar.com/sports/doug_smiths_sports_blog/2021/12/11/raptors-grind-out-a-much-needed-win-over-the-knicks-with-subtle-.html
FOUR YEARS AGO TODAY: from the BI archives:
http://basketballintelligence.net/2017/12/11/todays-best-nba-reporting-analysis-121117-part-one/
Today's Bi is dedicated to the memory of Michael Gearon, Sr (from Tim Tucker, AJC):