Basketball Intelligence For 12/30/23
Today's Best NBA Reporting And Analysis
TEAM-SPECIFIC
ATL: Hawks can’t stop Kings’ comeback, drop fourth straight game
Lauren Williams, AJC
BKN: Nets Fans Must Look To Future With Team Under Siege On & Off Court
Steve Lichtenstein, Steve’s Newsletter
My suggestion as the new Nets struggle with finding a winning identity: Focus on the small victories, such as the development of young players. For instance, we can appreciate the games where Thomas goes off without getting wrapped up with why he isn’t always playing in key situations (it’s his defense). Enjoy the elasticity of Nic Claxton protecting the rim and the doggedness of Day’Ron Sharpe getting after rebounds. Watch how some of the vets, like Dorian Finney-Smith and Royce O’Neale, provide examples of how to be a professional on the court. Some of these things could prove to be integral to Brooklyn’s next ascension
This team was not configured to reach great heights. It’s more of a place-setter. The doomsayers are at best short-sighted in counting out Brooklyn’s future
BKN: Nets lay terrible egg, lose to Wizards
Lucas Kaplan, Nets Daily
BKN: Nets make lineup tweaks but still drop tough loss to lowly Wizards
Brian Lewis, NY Post
BOS: Luke Kornet has fought his way back to being a factor for contending Celtics
Jay King, The Athletic
BOS: 4 takeaways as undermanned Celtics beat Raptors
Brian Robb, Mass Live
BOS: Winning an easy-to-lose game like Friday’s a testament to what Joe Mazzulla is crafting down the Celtics bench
Gary Washburn, Boston Globe
CHA: Three takeaways after Hornets’ loss to Suns extends frustrating streak
Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer
CHI: DeRozan is playing more minutes than any other NBA player his age. How can he sustain this workload?
Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune
CHI: Dalen Terry always has said the right things about staying ready to play, but he’s getting better at showing it
Joe Cowley, SunTimes
CLE: Cavs rookie point guard’s rise through the rotation is becoming inevitable
Ethan Sands, cleveland.com
CLE: Cavs fumble 15-point lead to Bucks in 119-111 loss
Ethan Sands, cleveland.com
DAL: Are Mavs buckling? With 5 losses in last 7 games, Kyrie Irving likely to miss 12th in row
Brad Townsend, Morning News
DET: How Good is Cade Cunningham, Really?
Jacob Sutton, JSutt Hoops
GSW: Warriors focused on finding Steph better shots during rough patch
Michael Wagaman, NBC Sports