Starting later this week, Basketball Intelligence will become a paid subscription newsletter.
I still want as many people as possible to have full access to BI so I am keeping the subscription price as low as possible.
The price will be five dollars a month or fifty dollars a year.
For more details and to subscribe, please click here
TEAM-SPECIFIC STORIES
- ATL: A Full Game Keyed In On Watching Trae Young (from Chris Kirschner, The Athletic): https://theathletic.com/3018925/2021/12/16/eyes-on-trae-young-a-full-game-keyed-in-on-the-hawks-star-point-guard/
- ATL: Capela Is Back: Leads The NBA In Rebounding Over The Past Month (from Pat Benson, Sports Illustrated): https://www.si.com/nba/hawks/news/clint-capela-leads-nba-in-rebound-over-month
- ATL: Q & A: Jalen Johnson (from Chris Kirschner, The Athletic): https://theathletic.com/3013808/2021/12/15/hawks-rookie-jalen-johnson-on-his-development-not-getting-nba-minutes-and-patience/
- CLE: Okoro's Offensive Resurgence (from Kelsey Russo, The Athletic): https://theathletic.com/3019465/2021/12/16/isaac-okoro-is-dunking-on-three-people-at-a-time-as-he-continues-the-resurgence-of-his-offensive-game-for-the-cavs/
- CLE: Garland Has Become A 3-Level Scoring Threat (from Ian Levy, The Step Back): https://fansided.com/2021/12/16/darius-garland-3-level-scoring-threat/
- DAL: The Mavs Survived 5 Games In 7 Nights (from Tim Cato, The Athletic): https://theathletic.com/3015620/2021/12/14/the-mavericks-survived-5-games-in-7-nights-how-josh-green-and-moses-brown-helped-and-whats-next-for-luka-doncic/
- GSW: Trainer Brandon Payne Explains How Steph Is Getting Stronger At 33 (from Evan Webeck, Mercury News): https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/12/15/steph-curry-is-the-new-3-point-king-his-trainer-explains-how-hes-getting-stronger-at-age-33/
- IND: Owner Herb Simon's Thoughts On The Pacers. And A Response (from Bob Kravitz, The Athletic): https://theathletic.com/3019075/2021/12/15/kravitz-pacers-owner-herb-simon-offered-thoughts-on-the-state-of-his-team-many-missed-the-mark/
- LAC: Clippers Prospect Gary Chivichyan Making History (from Mirjam Swanson, OC Register): https://www.ocregister.com/2021/12/15/clippers-prospect-gary-chivichyan-making-history/
- MEM: How Are The Grizzlies Thriving Without Morant? (from Ben Ladner, The Step Back): https://fansided.com/2021/12/16/grizzlies-without-ja-morant/
- MIA: Without Bam & Butler, The Heat Has Turned To 3s To Win (from Anthony Chiang, Maimi Herald): https://www.miamiherald.com/article256625926.html
- MIA: The Audacity Of Gabe Vincent (from CJ Holmes, The Athletic): https://theathletic.com/3019450/2021/12/16/the-audacity-of-gabe-vincent-proved-to-be-the-difference-for-the-heat-in-philly/
From Matt Pineda, Hot Hot Hoops: https://www.hothothoops.com/2021/12/16/22839401/gabe-vincent-is-showing-he-belongs-miami-heat-nba-nigerian
- MIN: Is The Wolves' Defense Real? (from Ben Ladner, The Step Back): https://fansided.com/2021/12/16/grizzlies-without-ja-morant/
- ORL: Cole Anthony: A Gem For The New-Look Magic (from Mike Vorkunov, The Athletic): https://theathletic.com/2995797/2021/12/16/cole-anthony-is-thriving-for-the-magic-all-it-took-was-one-horrible-year-to-set-him-on-his-path/
- POR: Billups & Lillard: Forging A Partnership (from Marc J. Spears, The Undefeated): https://theundefeated.com/features/trail-blazers-chauncey-billups-and-damian-lillard-forging-a-partnership/
- TOR: Takeaways From Loss To Nets (from Eric Koreen, The Athletic): https://theathletic.com/3017102/2021/12/15/scottie-barnes-has-it-10-players-10-thoughts-from-a-raptors-loss-played-under-odd-circumstances-in-brooklyn/
- TOR: Scottie Barnes Is Growing His Game (from Gilbert McGregor, NBA.com): https://ca.nba.com/news/scottie-barnes-raptors-3-point-shooter/15zfpvor12zwl13ry8c7dicyni
From Ryan Wolstat, Toronto Sun: https://ottawacitizen.com/sports/basketball/scottie-barnes-making-pain-of-last-season-worth-it-for-toronto-raptors
- UTA: Danny Ainge Named Jazz CEO (from Tony Jones/Jared Weiss): https://theathletic.com/3018462/2021/12/15/why-utah-jazz-were-right-fit-for-former-celtics-boss-danny-ainge-to-take-over-as-ceo/
From Sarah Todd, Deseret News: https://www.deseret.com/2021/12/15/22836756/why-did-danny-ainge-join-the-utah-jazz-and-return-to-the-nba-ryan-smith
From Andy Larsen/Eric Walden, Salt Lake Tribune: https://www.sltrib.com/sports/jazz/2021/12/15/utah-jazz-add-danny-ainge/
- WAS: What's The Problem With The Wizards' Backcourt (from Ava Wallace, Washington Post): https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/12/15/spencer-dinwiddie-bradley-beal/
LEAGUE-WIDE STORIES:
- How Players Have Adapted To New Foul Guidelines (form Brian Windhorst, ESPN): https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/insider/story/_/id/32878265/nba-new-foul-guidelines-how-players-trae-young-james-harden-adapted
- FAs Helping/Hurting Themselves So Far This Season (from Grant Hughes, Bleacher Report): https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2951521-which-2022-nba-free-agents-are-helping-and-hurting-themselves-so-far
- Isaiah Thomas Explodes For 42 In G League Debut (from Colin Ward-Heninnger, CBS Sports): https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/former-nba-all-star-isaiah-thomas-explodes-for-42-points-in-dazzling-g-league-debut-with-nuggets-affiliate/
- NBA History Lives In A Nuclear Bunker In New Jersey (from Ben Cohen, Wall Street Journal): https://www.wsj.com/articles/nba-video-records-bunker-11639632052
- 2022 Draft Big Board (from Bryan Kalbrosky, USA Today): https://ftw.usatoday.com/lists/nba-mock-draft-best-prospects-rankings-jaden-ivey
- History Of Game-Winning Buzzer Beaters (from Basketball Reference): https://www.basketball-reference.com/friv/buzzer-beaters.html
TAKEAWAYS FROM LAST NIGHT'S GAMES
- ATL 111, ORL 99:
From Graham Chapple, Peachtree Hoops: https://www.peachtreehoops.com/2021/12/16/22839245/atlanta-hawks-orlando-magic-analysis-video-breakdown-highlights-score-trae-young-john-collins-nba
From Sarah Spencer, AJC: https://www.peachtreehoops.com/2021/12/16/22839245/atlanta-hawks-orlando-magic-analysis-video-breakdown-highlights-score-trae-young-john-collins-nba
From Philip Rossman-Reich, Orlando Magic Daily: https://orlandomagicdaily.com/2021/12/15/orlando-magic-defense-seeking-pressure-identity/
- CHA 131, SAS 115:
From Rod Boone, Charlotte Observer: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/charlotte-hornets/article256634681.html
From Zachary Colwell, Pounding The Rock: https://www.poundingtherock.com/2021/12/15/22837028/spurs-stung-by-hornets-in-one-sided-affair
From Noah Magaro-George, Pounding The Rock: https://www.poundingtherock.com/2021/12/15/22838742/san-antonio-vs-charlotte-final-score-shorthanded-hornets-throttle-the-spurs-131-115
- CLE 124, HOU 89:
From Jonathan Feigen, Houston Chronicle: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/rockets/article/Stephen-Silas-scare-Rockets-blown-out-Cavaliers-16705997.php and https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/rockets/article/Rockets-blown-out-by-Cavaliers-Stephen-Silas-16705789.php
From Paul Hoynes, cleveland.com: https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/more-sports/cleveland-cavaliers-score-69-points-in-first-half-beat-rockets-124-89-for-fifth-straight-win/ar-AARRrE4
-LAL 107, DAL 104 (OT):
From Dave McMenamin, ESPN: https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/32879946/los-angeles-lakers-rookie-austin-reaves-lost-words-heroics-vs-mavericks
From Ben Zajdel, Mavs Moneyball: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2021/12/16/22839091/lakers-mavericks-was-a-fever-dream-of-a-basketball-game
From Kyle Goon, OC Register: https://www.ocregister.com/2021/12/15/lakers-edge-mavericks-on-austin-reaves-3-pointer-in-final-second-of-ot/
From Broderick Turner, LA Times: https://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/story/2021-12-16/lakers-mavericks-takeaways
From Helene Elliott, LA Times: https://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/story/2021-12-15/austin-reaves-lebron-james-faith-lakers-overtime-win-dallas-mavericks
From Dan Woike, LA Times: https://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/story/2021-12-15/austin-reaves-buzzer-beating-three-lakers-dallas-mavericks-overtime-nba
From Callie Caplan, Morning News: https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/mavericks/2021/12/15/mavericks-push-lakers-to-overtime-but-austin-reaves-stymies-dallas-with-game-winning-3-pointer/
From Kirk Henderson, Mavs Moneyball: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2021/12/15/22838824/3-things-we-learned-mavericks-lakers-recap-final-score-107-104
- MEM 113, POR 103:
From Aaron Fentress, Oregon Live: https://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2021/12/portland-trail-blazers-fold-in-4th-while-losing-seventh-straight-113-103-to-memphis-grizzlies.html
From Drew Hill, Daily Memphian: https://dailymemphian.com/section/sportsmemphis-grizzlies/article/25976/grizzlies-rally-trail-blazers-fourth-straight-win
From Evan Barnes, Commercial Appeal: https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/sports/nba/grizzlies/2021/12/16/memphis-grizzlies-vs-portland-trail-blazers-live-updates-score/8859900002/
- MIA 101, PHI 96 (from Rich Hofmann, The Athletic): https://theathletic.com/3019803/2021/12/16/as-loss-to-heat-shows-ben-simmons-standoff-looms-over-sixers-as-struggles-continue/
From Keith Pompey, The Inquirer: https://www.inquirer.com/sports/76ers-miami-heat-niang-outmanned-20211215.html
From Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald: https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nba/miami-heat/article256607596.html
From Ira Winderman, SunSentinel: https://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/fl-sp-miami-heat-philadelphia-76ers-20211216-sidzrgcsafegzl4m4vhhqavm5i-story.html
From Kyle Neubeck, Philly Voice: https://www.phillyvoice.com/instant-observations-sixers-heat-joel-embiid-doc-rivers-zone-defense-tobias-harris/
- MIL 114, IND 99:
From James Boyd, Indy Star: https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nba/pacers/2021/12/15/pacers-vs-bucks-3-reasons-indiana-lost-giannis-less-milwaukee/6497602001/
From Dalton Sell, Behind The Buck Pass: https://behindthebuckpass.com/2021/12/16/takeaways-milwaukee-bucks-resilient-win-indiana-pacers/
From Ben Steele, Journal Sentinel: https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/nba/bucks/2021/12/16/milwaukee-bucks-vs-indiana-pacers-fiserv-forum/8906478002/
- MIN 124, DEN 107:
From Chris Hine, Star Tribune: https://www.startribune.com/timberwolves-nuggets-anthony-edwards-10-threes-karl-anthony-towns-10000-points/600127561/
From Patrick Saunders, Denver Post: https://www.denverpost.com/2021/12/15/nuggets-lose-hot-shooting-timberwolves/
- NOP 113, OKC 110:
From Joe Mussatto, The Oklahoman: https://www.oklahoman.com/story/sports/2021/12/15/thunder-vs-pelicans-score-nba-game-recap-takeaways-shai-gilgeous-alexander-devonte-graham/8910436002/
From William Guillory, The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/3019784/2021/12/16/devonte-grahams-61-foot-buzzer-beater-helps-pelicans-steal-win-in-okc-i-just-let-it-fly/
From Christian Clark, The Advocate: https://www.nola.com/sports/pelicans/article_35e19134-5e31-11ec-adea-c3662ceb2f66.html
- SAC 119, WAS 105:
From Taylor Wirth, NBC Sports: https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/kings/shorthanded-kings-overcome-adversity-doug-christies-first-win
From Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee: https://www.sacbee.com/sports/nba/sacramento-kings/article256640021.html
- UTA 124, LAC 103:
From Mirjam Swanson, OC Register: https://www.ocregister.com/2021/12/15/short-handed-clippers-no-match-for-surging-jazz/
From Andrew Greif, LA Times: https://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/story/2021-12-15/clippers-struggles-loss-utah-jazz-injuries-paul-george-kawhi-leonard
From Andy Larsen, Salt Lake Tribune: https://www.sltrib.com/sports/jazz/2021/12/16/triple-team-jazz-show/
From Sarah Todd, Deseret News: https://www.deseret.com/2021/12/15/22832960/analysis-utah-jazz-get-contributions-from-everyone-as-they-win-revenge-game-against-clippers
FOUR YEARS AGO TODAY: from the BI archives:
http://basketballintelligence.net/2017/12/16/todays-best-nba-reporting-analysis-121617/