TEAM STORIES
- ATL: Huerter's Value, Versatility Showing For Hawks (from Sarah Spencer, AJC): https://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-hawks/huerters-value-versatility-showing-for-hawks/35K7JAT4TBA7VHMVOKEQS7Q7LI/
- CHA: Bouknight's Outing Vs. Sixers A Snapshot Of How Good He Can Be (from Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer): https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/charlotte-hornets/article256393452.html
- CHI: The Bulls Are Getting Value From Ayo (from Jason Patt, Forbes): https://www.forbes.com/sites/jasonpatt/2021/12/08/chicago-bulls-getting-much-needed-value-out-of-rookie-ayo-dosunmu/?sh=1b2ef137c4cf
From Sam Smith, Bulls.com: https://www.nba.com/bulls/features/rookie-ayo-dosunmu-has-earned-his-starting-opportunity
- CLE: Takeaways From Loss To Bucks (from Terry Pluto, cleveland.com): https://www.cleveland.com/cavs/2021/12/garland-gets-star-treatment-from-bucks-what-it-means-for-cavs-terry-plutos-scribbles.html
- DET: Takeaways From Loss To Thunder (from Lauren Williams, MLive): https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/pistons-start-strong-tripped-up-in-third-quarter-and-other-takeaways/ar-AARywC4
- GSW: Kerr To Soon Face Wonderful, Yet Difficult, Options (from Monte Poole, NBC Sports: https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/warriors/warriors-steve-kerr-confront-challenging-yet-desirable-options
- GSW: Why Steph Is Shooting More 3s Than Ever (from Connor Letourneau, SF Chronicle): https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/warriors/article/Why-Warriors-Steph-Curry-is-shooting-more-16683274.php
- GSW: Takeaways From Win Over Magic (from Joe Viray, Golden State Of Mind): https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/four-things-to-like-about-the-warriors-win-against-the-magic-including-a-career-andrew-wiggins-night-and-a-potent-set-play-for-steph-curry/ar-AARzp2f
- GSW: How Wiggins Found His Shot With Simplified Role (from Kendra Andrews, NBC Sports): https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/warriors/andrew-wiggins-simplified-warriors-role-allowed-him-find-shot
From Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News: https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/kurtenbach-right-on-time-andrew-wiggins-is-playing-like-an-all-star-for-the-warriors/ar-AARzKKL
- GSW: Kuminga: Still Learning, Still Sparkling (from Eric Apricot Dub Nation HQ):
- LAC: Losing Kawhi Forced The Clips To Become A Modern Offense (from Lois Zatzman, FiveThirtyEight): https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/losing-kawhi-leonard-forced-the-clippers-to-become-a-modern-nba-offense
- LAC: What Gets Ty Lue Fired Up? (from Mirjam Swanson, OC Register: https://www.ocregister.com/2021/12/07/what-gets-clippers-coach-tyronn-lue-fired-up/
- LAL: If Lakers Continue To Stagger, Vogel Will Unfairly Be The 1st Casualty (from Bill Plaschke, LA Times): https://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/story/2021-12-08/frank-vogel-lakers-could-be-fired-lebron-james-anthony-davis
- MEM: How JJJ's Improving Defense Is Helping The Grizzlies Win (from Evan Barnes, Commercial Appeal): https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/sports/nba/grizzlies/2021/12/08/memphis-grizzlies-jaren-jackson-jr-improving-defense-has-powered-winning-streak-nba/8859770002/
- MIA: Recalibration Needed In Absence Of Bam & Butler (from Ira Winderman, SunSentinel): https://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/fl-sp-miami-heat-main-tuesday-20211207-3vst3qmhybdrvgtnmqvai22t4i-story.html
- MIL: Takeaways From Win Over Cavs (from Eric Nehm, The Athletic): https://theathletic.com/3002624/2021/12/07/bucks-big-3-come-up-big-when-it-matters-most-against-cavs-theres-a-lot-of-firepower-with-those-guys
- MIN: What's Wrong With Wolves Offense. And What They Can Do About It (from Britt Robson, Minn Post): https://www.minnpost.com/sports/2021/12/whats-wrong-with-the-wolves-offense-and-what-they-can-do-about-it/
From Chris Hine, Star Tribune: https://www.startribune.com/timberwolves-ball-movement-karl-anthony-towns-chris-finch-patrick-beverley/600124747/
- MIN: Opposition Actions That Have Hurt The Wolves Recently (from Jake Paynting, Howls And Growls):
- NOP: Ingram's Connection With Coach Green Has Led To Improved Play (from William Guillory, The Athletic): https://theathletic.com/3003837/2021/12/08/brandon-ingrams-connection-with-first-year-pelicans-coach-willie-green-has-led-to-improved-play/
- NOP: Coach Green Says He See A Lot Of Improvement (from Christian Clark, The Advocate): https://www.nola.com/sports/pelicans/article_8c10dba0-57a6-11ec-850d-d7da2b91a4f2.html
- PHO: Ayton: "I'm Just Putting My Head Down & Working" (from Marc J Spears, The Undefeated): https://theundefeated.com/features/suns-deandre-ayton-im-just-putting-my-head-down-and-working/
- SAS: Primo Showing What He Learned In G League (from Jeff McDonald, Express News): https://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/San-Antonio-Spurs-Josh-Primo-showing-what-16682799.php
- TOR: Splitting Time Between 905 & NBA, Banton Works On His Success Story (from Michael Grange, Sportsnet): https://www.sportsnet.ca/nba/article/splitting-time-905-nba-banton-works-raptors-success-story/
- UTA: Jazz's 'Death Lineup' Is Scary As Ever (from Calvin Chappell, SLC Dunk): https://www.slcdunk.com/the-downbeat-latest-jazz-news/2021/12/7/22822679/the-utah-jazz-death-lineup-is-looking-as-scary-as-ever
LEAGUE-WIDE STORIES
- NBA Notebook (from Cole Huff, The Athletic): https://theathletic.com/3003219/2021/12/07/cole-huffs-nba-notebook-the-rockets-surprise-turnaround-the-development-of-the-grizzlies-and-timberwolves-and-more/
- Ranking The Best Bench Mobs (from Dan Favale, Bleacher Report): https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2951134-ranking-warriors-knicks-and-the-nbas-best-bench-mobs
- Updated Rookie Rankings (from Jasmyn Wimbish, CBS Sports: https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-rookie-rankings-cade-cunningham-puts-shooting-slump-behind-him-scottie-barnes-continues-to-impress/
- 2022 Draft: Who Is The Best PG Prospect? (from Chad Ford, NBA Big Board):
https://www.nbabigboard.com/p/2022-prospect-watch-5-free
- 2022 Draft: Under-The-Radar Prospects Making An Early Impression (from Evan Wheeler, No Ceilings):
TAKEAWAYS FROM LAST NIGHT'S GAMES
- BKN 102, DAL 99:
From Steve Lichtenstein, Steve;s Newsletter:
From Alex Schiffer, The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/3004237/2021/12/08/kevin-durant-and-james-harden-rally-nets-in-fourth-to-beat-mavericks/
From Tim Cato, The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/3004104/2021/12/08/mavericks-offensive-woes-continue-analyzing-dallas-disappointing-loss-to-brooklyn/
From Chris Milholen/Matt Brooks, Nets Daily: https://www.netsdaily.com/2021/12/7/22823202/nets-rally-from-17-points-down-escape-dallas-with-win-102-99
From Ben Zajdel, Mavs Moneyball: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2021/12/7/22823369/3-things-we-learned-mavericks-nets-recap-final-score-102-99
From Kevin Sherrington, Dallas Morning News: https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/mavericks/2021/12/07/mavericks-shooting-woes-criticisms-of-luka-doncic-continue-after-offensive-collapse-vs-nets/
- LAL 117, BOS 102:
From Broderick Turner, LA Times: https://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/story/2021-12-08/lakers-celtics-takeaways-big-three-lebron-james-anthony-davis
From Dan Woike, LA Times: https://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/story/2021-12-07/lakers-big-three-lead-win-over-celtics
From Jay King, The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/3004364/2021/12/08/celtics-struggle-defensively-against-lakers-its-a-blip-on-the-radar/
From Bill Oram, The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/3004323/2021/12/08/russell-westbrook-sparks-lakers-in-win-over-celtics-but-what-does-it-mean/
From Gary Washburn, Boston Globe: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/12/08/sports/disappointing-loss-against-lakers-only-jayson-tatum-robert-williams-showed-up-ready-challenge/
From Kyle Goon, OC Register: https://www.ocregister.com/2021/12/07/lakers-truck-celtics-after-russell-westbrook-sparks-second-half-surge/
From Keith Smith, Celtics Blog: https://www.celticsblog.com/2021/12/8/22823988/it-was-all-bad-5-takeaways-from-boston-celtics-los-angeles-lakers
From Mark Murphy, Boston Herald: https://www.bostonherald.com/2021/12/08/1208-bh-s-celtics-2/
From Adam Himmelsbach, Boston Globe: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/12/08/sports/celtics-cant-keep-up-fall-lakers/
From Souichi Terada, Mass Live: https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/four-takeaways-as-lebron-james-lakers-outduel-jayson-tatum-celtics-in-117-102-boston-loss/ar-AARAFca
From Tom Westerholm, Boston.com: https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-celtics/2021/12/08/lakers-celtics-takeaways-jayson-tatum/
From Brian Robb, Mass Live: https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2021/12/ime-udoka-disappointed-in-celtics-effort-against-lakers-we-were-outhustled-out-toughed-a-little-bit.html
- NYK 121, SAS 109:
From Alder Almo, Empire Sports Media: https://empiresportsmedia.com/new-york-knicks/knicks-thibodeaus-masterstroke-produces-robinsons-masterclass/
From Stefan Bondy, Daily News: https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/mitchell-robinson-has-big-night-in-san-antonio-after-he-is-removed-from-knicks-e2-80-99-starting-lineup/ar-AARzLgY
From Zachary Colwell, Pounding The Rock: https://www.poundingtherock.com/2021/12/7/22823295/spurs-come-out-sluggish-in-loss-to-knicks
From Jeff McDonald, Express News: https://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/The-triple-take-Knicks-121-Spurs-109-16683814.php
FOUR YEARS AGO TODAY: from the BI archives:
http://basketballintelligence.net/2017/12/08/todays-best-nba-reporting-analysis-12817-part-one/