Basketball Intelligence For 2/22/25
The Knicks need a defensive fix, P.J. is the Mavs salve, the Dubs drub the Kings, and more...
LEAGUE NEWS
Players with the Salary Incentives from Awards on the Line
Yossi Gozlan, Third Apron
How NBA Teams Can Build To Minimize Risk Of Second Apron
Morgan Stig Jensen, Forbes
Oklahoma City has done well in that area, drafting Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, Cason Wallace, and more in recent years. Superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was acquired immediately after his rookie season, so while he wasn’t a draft selection, the Thunder utilized the fact that he was on his rookie contract at the time to move forward.
5 Bold Predictions For Remainder of NBA Season
Matt Levine, Newsweek
NBA Standings ordered by transition scoring: Ja Morant and the Grizzlies are elite on the run
Elijah Hamilton, Fansided
Nikola Jokić’s ‘league-leading’ shooting, Magic’s woes and more NBA trends I’m watching
Fred Katz, The Athletic
TEAM NEWS
BOS: Celtics less concerned with home-court advantage and more concerned with playing the right way as stretch run approaches
Gary Washburn, The Boston Globe
BKN: Sean Marks on lack of moves at trade deadline: ‘We like Cam Johnson’
Net Income, NetsDaily
Specifically regarding Johnson, Marks noted, “With Cam, there was a lot of interest in him just as there was with a lot of our guys but we like Cam and we think Cam fits multiple builds that we are doing. He’s a voice of reason. He’s well-respected within that locker room. He’s a pro’s pro. So if people can learn from somebody, they learn from Cam Johnson. That’s a great guy to pick up habits from.”
Marks didn’t detail any of the offers he might have received for Johnson or who else had attracted interest although in the weeks before the deadline, there were reports that the Nets wanted a baseline offer of two first rounders for Johnson which teams, particularly contenders, couldn’t meet either because they didn’t want to part with that much for Johnson and/or they were constrained by the more draconian aspects of the new CBA.
DAL: 5 Quick Mavericks Thoughts
Iztok Franco, Diggin Basketball
DAL: Max Christie Continues to Impress With 'Poise & Skill' as Mavs Win 5 of Last 6 Games
Dalton Trigg, The Mavs Step Back
DAL: P.J. Washington Provides Spark Mavericks in Return to Defeat Pelicans: 'He's a Budding Star'
Grant Afseth, Dallas Hoops Journal
DEN: Jamal Murray's surge has propelled Nuggets' win streak
Sean Keene, Yardbarker
GSW: Kerr pushing right buttons with revamped Warriors starting five
Michael Wagaman, NBC Sports Bay Area
GSW: What we learned as Warriors' balanced attack fuels rout over Kings
Monte Poole, NBA Sports Bay Area
GSW: Warriors resume season by crushing Kings 132-108 behind balanced attack
Sam Gordon, San Francsico Chronicle
For the second straight game, the Warriors started Curry, Podziemski, Moody, Butler and Green in a lineup that best balances their shooting, finishing, playmaking and defensive versatility. Curry and Podziemski can create from the backcourt while Green and Butler can facilitate from the frontcourt.
GSW: Warriors wax Kings to tip off post All-Star break run
Danny Emerman, The Mercury News
GSW: Warriors feature new-look defense with Jimmy Butler replacing Andrew Wiggins
Ron Kroichick, San Francsico Chronicle
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