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Basketball Intelligence For 12/18/21

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Basketball Intelligence For 12/18/21

Today's Best NBA Reporting And Analysis

Basketball Intelligence
Dec 18, 2021
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TEAM-SPECIFIC STORIES

- BKN: Irving's Part-Time Return (from Alex Schiffer, The Athletic):  https://theathletic.com/3023561/2021/12/17/how-will-kyrie-irvings-part-time-return-impact-the-nets/

From Vincent Goodwill, Yahoo Sports: https://sports.yahoo.com/nets-sacrifice-safety-and-sanity-by-caving-to-unvaccinated-kyrie-irving-024127922.html

From Nekias Duncan, Basketball News: https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/the-nets-should-be-ashamed-of-themselves

From Ben Cohen, Wall Street Journal:  https://www.wsj.com/articles/kyrie-irving-brooklyn-nets-vaccine-covid-11639782783

- BOS: From Heartbreak To Hope: Udoka's Long, Winding Journey (from Adam Himmelsbach, Boston Globe):  https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/12/18/sports/ime-udoka-boston-celtics/

- BOS: Langford Has Earned A Larger Role (from Adam Taylor, Celtics Blog):  https://www.celticsblog.com/2021/12/17/22839264/romeo-langford-has-earned-a-larger-role-jayson-tatum-jaylen-brown-marcus-smart-boston-celtics-nba

- CLE: How The Cavs Got Here (from Spencer Davies, Basketball News):  https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/from-lovable-underdog-to-unforgiving-bully-how-the-cavs-got-here

- CLE: Coach Bickerstaff Is  Finding His Groove (from Branson Wright, The Undefeated):  https://theundefeated.com/features/jb-bickerstaff-finding-his-groove-with-surprising-cavaliers/

- DEN: Film Breakdown: The Offense Is Officially A Problem (from Gage Bridgford, Denver Stiffs):  https://www.denverstiffs.com/2021/12/17/22841316/denver-nuggets-film-friday-offense-officially-problem-nikola-jokic-aaron-gordon-facu-campazzo-bones

- DEN: Film Study: The Jokic-Gordon Connection (from Joel Rush, Forbes):  https://www.forbes.com/sites/joelrush/2021/12/17/the-denver-nuggets-nikola-jokic-and-aaron-gordon-connection-is-thriving-film-study/?sh=cf641174bbec

- GSW: Film Room: Breaking Down Draymond's Defensive Stops (from Draymond Green/Doris Burke, ESPN):  

- HOU: Sengun Providing Hope For The Rebuild (from Evan Sidery, Basketball News):  https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/alperen-senguns-surge-providing-hope-for-rockets-rebuild

- LAC: Clippers In Good Headspace Despite Lineup Uncertainty (from Mirjam Swanson, OC Register): https://www.ocregister.com/2021/12/17/clippers-in-good-headspace-despite-lineup-uncertainty/

- LAC: Takeaways From Loss To Jazz (from Mirjam Swanson, OC Register):  https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/short-handed-clippers-no-match-for-surging-jazz/ar-AARVgYK

- LAL: AD Injury Is Lakers' Latest Setback (from Jovan Buha, The Athletic):  https://theathletic.com/3023799/2021/12/18/anthony-davis-knee-injury-the-latest-setback-in-a-lakers-season-full-of-them/?source=emp_shared_article

- MEM: Grizzlies Ready To Compete, With Or Without Ja (from Dan Devine, The Ringer):  https://www.theringer.com/nba/2021/12/17/22841515/memphis-grizzlies-contender-ja-morant-defense

- MEM: Reviewing The Grizzlies After 30 Games (from Evan Barnes, Commercial Appeal):  https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/sports/nba/grizzlies/2021/12/18/memphis-grizzlies-what-we-like-dont-like-after-30-games/6470484001/

- NOP: Q & A: Jaxson Hayes (from William Guillory, The Athletic): https://theathletic.com/3023956/2021/12/18/jaxson-hayes-exclusive-on-playing-in-the-g-league-trade-rumors-and-his-future-in-new-orleans

-  NOP: Herb Jones Is A Fearsome Defender (from Jackson Frank, Dime Mag):  https://uproxx.com/dimemag/herb-jones-new-orleans-pelicans-defense-analysis-videos/

NOTE: Check Out The Unrestricted Area Podcast's Evaluation Of Herb And Other Top Young Perimeter Defenders:  https://www.buzzsprout.com/1517914/9523816-evaluating-the-nba-s-best-young-defenders-with-adam-spinella

- PHI: Thybulle: Length, Athleticism & Brains (from Victoria Jacobi,Dime Mag):  https://uproxx.com/dimemag/matisse-thybulle-defense-sixers-warriors/

- PHI: Why Is Tobias Harris Struggling? (from Dave Early, Liberty Ballers):  https://www.libertyballers.com/2021/12/17/22835249/tobias-harris-struggling-joel-embiid-sixers-brooklyn-nets-ben-simmons-trade-kevin-durant

- PHO: Suns Dominating Despite No One Having Career Year (from Dave King/John Voita, Bright Side Of The Sun):  https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2021/12/17/22840863/phoenix-suns-are-dominating-the-league-despite-no-one-having-a-career-year

- PHO: The Evolution Of Javale McGee (from Greg Brueck-Cassoli, High Off The Glass): 

High Off The Glass
The Evolution of JaVale McGee
JaVale McGee spent most of his early NBA career as the butt of a lot of jokes. The application of his skills never quite seemed to match the tantalizing potential of his long, athletic frame. McGee struggled with his feel for the game, frequently making head-scratching decisions and often attempting feats that were overly ambitious…
Read more
a year ago · Greg Brueck-Cassoli

- SAC: How Neemias Queta Made History (from Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee):  https://www.sacbee.com/sports/nba/sacramento-kings/article256699642.html

LEAGUE-WIDE STORIES

- Dark Horse Teams That May Still Contend This Season (from Grant Hughes, Bleacher Report):  https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2951557-5-dark-horse-nba-teams-that-can-still-contend-this-season

- 2022 Draft: 7 Breakout Upperclassmen To Watch (from Sam Vecenie, The Athletic):  https://theathletic.com/2999710/2021/12/18/nba-draft-sam-vecenies-7-breakout-upperclassmen-to-watch-as-season-heats-up/

- Sunday Notes (from Gary Washburn, Boston Globe):  https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/12/18/sports/warriors-star-draymond-green-is-among-those-left-dizzy-by-nbas-covid-protocols/

- How Are Nevada Alums Performing In The NBA? (from Matt Hanifan, Mountain West Connection):  https://www.mwcconnection.com/2021/12/17/22817850/nba-nevada-wolf-pack-basketball-alums-performing-caleb-cody-martin-javale-mcgee

- Players To Watch In The G League Winter Showcase (from Keith Schlosser, Who's Got Next):  

Who's Got Next -- An NBA G League Newsletter
Players To Watch In 2021 NBA G League Winter Showcase
Cue the bright lights. Get ready for top performers to rise up in big moments. In what’s becoming a marquee annual event, the NBA G League Winter Showcase once again takes its seemingly proper and increasingly familiar place in Las Vegas this coming Sunday, December 19…
Read more
a year ago · Keith Schlosser

TAKEAWAYS FROM LAST NIGHT'S GAMES

- GSW 111, BOS 107:

  From Keith Smith, Celtics Blog:  https://www.celticsblog.com/2021/12/18/22843639/a-tough-loss-10-takeaways-from-boston-celtics-golden-state-warriors

  From Monte Poole, NBC Sports: https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/warriors/andre-iguodala-provided-warriors-what-they-needed-win-vs-celtics

  From Anthony Slater, The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/3023715/2021/12/18/five-observations-warriors-survive-in-boston-plan-to-rest-their-veterans-in-toronto/

  From Gary Washburn, Boston Globe: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/12/18/sports/little-things-add-up-another-inconsistent-effort-celtics-come-up-short-against-warriors/

  From Adam Himmelsbach, Boston Globe: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/12/17/sports/celtics-come-up-short-comeback-attempt-against-warriors/

  From Justin Leger, NBC Sports: https://www.nbcboston.com/news/sports/nbcsports/celtics-vs-warriors-takeaways-short-handed-cs-fail-to-complete-comeback/2593899

  From Joe Viray, Golden State Of Mind: https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2021/12/17/22843370/warriors-celtics-andre-iguodala-draymond-green-andrew-wiggins-moses-moody-film-breakdown

  From Greg Brueck-Cassoli, High Off The Glass: 

High Off The Glass
One Stop Wonders
The Golden State Warriors led by five with roughly thirty seconds remaining in their Friday night matchup with the Boston Celtics. The game was more or less in hand, but the Celtics had the ball and time to set up a play coming out of a timeout. Getting a stop would essentially seal the victory for the Warriors…
Read more
a year ago · Greg Brueck-Cassoli

  From Mark Murphy, Boston Herald: https://www.bostonherald.com/2021/12/17/shorthanded-celtics-fall-to-golden-state-111-107/

- DEN 133, ATL 115:

  From Wes Morton, Peachtree Hoops:  https://www.peachtreehoops.com/2021/12/18/22843604/hawks-are-gashed-defensively-yet-again-in-a-home-loss-to-the-nuggets

  From Sarah Spencer, AJC: https://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-hawks/mcmillan-questions-hawks-defensive-effort-in-loss-to-nuggets/3CKEXAMT5VCNNNQZ72CKEFRVXU/

  From Eric Spyropoulos, nuggets.com: https://www.nba.com/nuggets/news/nuggets-hawks-121721

  From Mike Singer, Denver Post: https://www.denverpost.com/2021/12/17/nuggets-beat-hawks-bones-hyland-nikola-jokic/    and   https://www.denverpost.com/2021/12/17/nuggets-bones-hyland-valuable-lesson/

- MEM 124, SAC 105:

  From Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee: https://www.sacbee.com/sports/nba/sacramento-kings/article256682907.html

  From Evan Barnes, Commercial Appeal: https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/sports/nba/grizzlies/2021/12/18/memphis-grizzlies-vs-sacramento-kings-score-live-updates/6469186001/

- MIA 115, ORL 105:

  From Jack Maloney, CBS Sports: https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/undrafted-duo-max-strus-and-gabe-vincent-go-off-to-lead-shorthanded-heat-to-win-over-magic/

  From Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald:  https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nba/miami-heat/article256668742.html  and  https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nba/miami-heat/article256701297.html

  From Josh Cohen, Magic.com: https://www.nba.com/magic/news/limited-roster-because-covid-protocols-and-injuries-magic-taken-down-heat-20211217

- MIN 110, LAL 92:

  From Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/3023600/2021/12/18/karl-anthony-towns-is-making-his-case-as-nbas-best-big-man-im-doing-the-best-i-think-ive-done-in-a-long-time/

  From Jared Weiss, The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/3023883/2021/12/18/marcus-smart-pushed-lakers-debutant-isaiah-thomas-to-return-to-celtics-plus-more-roster-shakeup-for-boston/

  From Kyle Irving, Sporting News:  https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/news/isaiah-thomas-lakers-debut/zf0ad44unluu1ikkxu685vj2b

  From Kyle Goon, OC Register: https://www.ocregister.com/2021/12/17/lakers-anthony-davis-hurts-knee-as-timberwolves-pound-listless-short-handed-squad/

  From Chris Hine, Star Tribune: https://www.startribune.com/behind-karl-anthony-towns-timberwolves-keep-it-rolling-with-110-92-win-over-lakers/600128279/

  From Dan Woike, LA Times: https://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/story/2021-12-17/lakers-timberwolves-anthony-davis-covid-19

  From Nick Metallinos, Sporting News: https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/news/karl-anthony-towns-lakers-timberwolves/f2b7qyfvwamp1qhwl9pc853dx

- NOP 116, MIL 112 (OT):

  From Dalton Sell. Behind The Buck Pass: https://behindthebuckpass.com/2021/12/18/takeaways-milwaukee-bucks-painful-loss-new-orleans-pelicans/

  From Jim Owczarski, Journal Sentinel: https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/nba/bucks/2021/12/18/milwaukee-bucks-vs-new-oreleans-pelicans-smoothie-king-center-game-score-updates/8937480002/

- POR 125, CHA 116:

  From Yash Matange, Sporting News:  https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/news/damian-lillard-trail-blazers-hornets-vintage/ba0kmcqyhhw41wlcx8j1tp1tr

  From Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/charlotte-hornets/article256676932.html

  From Aaron Fentress, Oregon Live: https://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2021/12/portland-trail-blazers-rain-threes-at-record-levels-snap-losing-streak-with-125-116-win-over-the-charlotte-hornets.html

- SAS 128, UTA 126:

  From Jeff McDonald, Express News:  https://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/The-triple-take-Spurs-128-Jazz-126-16711839.php

  From Sarah Todd, Deseret News: https://www.deseret.com/2021/12/17/22832973/analysis-how-the-jazzs-8-game-win-streak-came-to-and-end-against-the-spurs  and  https://www.deseret.com/2021/12/17/22839565/the-jazz-allowed-the-spurs-to-get-confidence-early-on-and-they-paid-for-it-down-the-stretch

  From Andy Larsen, Salt Lake Tribune: https://www.sltrib.com/sports/jazz/2021/12/17/triple-team-jazzs/

  From Eric Walden, Salt Lake Tribune: https://www.sltrib.com/sports/jazz/2021/12/17/donovan-mitchell/

  From Zachary Colwell, Pounding The Rock:  https://www.poundingtherock.com/2021/12/18/22843215/lonnie-walker-wins-it-at-the-end-in-the-spurs-comeback-against-the-jazz

THREE YEARS AGO TODAY: from the BI archives:

http://basketballintelligence.net/2018/12/18/todays-best-nba-reporting-analysis-121818-part-one/

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