Basketball Intelligence For 12/18/21
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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):
- 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):
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:
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/