Basketball Intelligence For 3/7/22

Today's Best NBA Reporting And Analysis

Mar 7, 2022

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TEAM-SPECIFIC STORIES

- ATL: Can The Hawks Be Fixed? (from Mat Issa, The All-Star): https://theallstar.io/can-the-atlanta-hawks-be-fixed/

- BKN: Q & A: Seth Curry (from Steve Serby, NY Post): https://nypost.com/2022/03/05/nets-seth-curry-talks-mike-krzyzewski-brother-stephen/

- BOS: Tatum Is Growing Ever More Comfortable With His Game (from Jay King, The Athletic): https://theathletic.com/3166951/2022/03/07/i-love-the-way-hes-playing-jayson-tatum-pours-in-54-points-in-celtics-win-over-nets/

From Chris Forsberg, NBC Sports: https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/celtics/best-play-jayson-tatums-big-game-vs-nets-didnt-land-box-score

From Gary Washburn, Boston Globe: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/03/06/sports/celtics-confident-jayson-tatum-show-his-brilliance-against-nets/

- BOS: Celtics Notebook (from Mark Murphy, Boston Herald): https://www.bostonherald.com/2022/03/06/0306-bh-s-celtsnotes/

- DEN: Jokic Is Finding A Way Without Murray & Porter (from Ryan Blackburn, Denver Stiffs): https://www.denverstiffs.com/2022/3/7/22965183/nikola-jokic-is-finding-a-way-denver-nuggets-mvp

- DEN: Jokic Makes History In Comeback Win (from Mike Singer, Denver Post): https://www.denverpost.com/2022/03/06/nuggets-nikola-jokic-nba-history-pelicans-win

- DET: Cunningham Is Finding His Happy Place - In The Midrange (from James Edwards III, The Athletic): https://theathletic.com/3164695/2022/03/07/pistons-cade-cunningham-is-finding-his-happy-place-in-the-midrange/

- DET: Film Study: Saddiq Bey's Defense (from Bryce Simon, Detroit Bad Boys): https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2022/3/7/22963020/detroit-pistons-saddiq-bey-defense-film-analysis-film-dont-lie

- DET: Livers Gets His Shot To Impress (from Pistons.com ): https://www.nba.com/pistons/news/livers-gets-his-shot-to-impress

From Omari Sankofa II, Free Press: https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2022/03/07/detroit-pistons-isaiah-livers-rhythm/9404715002/

- GSW: Klay's Mini-Slump (from Shayna Rubin, Mercury News): https://www.mercurynews.com/2022/03/07/warriors-a-closer-look-at-klay-thompsons-mini-slump

- HOU: Jalen Green's Maturation (from Kelly Iko, The Athletic): https://theathletic.com/3166914/2022/03/07/jalen-greens-maturation-along-with-kevin-porter-jr-and-christian-woods-play-key-in-big-rockets-win-over-grizzlies/

From Jonathan Feigen, Houston Chronicle: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/rockets/article/Rockets-Jalen-Green-Grizzlies-Ja-Morant-comparison-16981846.php

- HOU: Rockets All-In On A Complete Rebuild (from Rahat Huq, Houston Chronicle): https://www.chron.com/sports/rockets/article/Tilman-Fertitta-Houston-Rockets-rebuild-tank-draft-16982985.php

From Harrison Hamm, Only Down One:

Only Down One

The Houston Rockets … have potential?

The Houston Rockets did not enter the 2021-22 season expecting anything other than losing. They’re one of a handful of pure tank teams in the NBA, the ones that are bad now in order to be good later. They have lived up: they’re 16-48 on the season, just about even with the Orlando Magic for last place in the league…

a year ago · Harrison Hamm

- LAC: Coach Lue: Cool, Calm - As Long As He Is In Control (from Mirjam Swanson, OC Register): https://www.dailynews.com/2022/03/06/clippers-tyronn-lue-cool-calm-as-long-as-hes-in-control/

- LAL: LBJ's Understated Evolution As A Scorer (from Kyle Goon, OC Register): https://www.ocregister.com/2022/03/06/analysis-lebron-james-understated-evolution-as-a-scorer-has-helped-him-chase-nba-records/

- MEM: GM Zach Kleiman Has A Great Eye For Talent (from Mike Vorkunov, The Athletic): https://theathletic.com/3160134/2022/03/07/basketballs-40-under-40-grizzlies-gm-zach-kleiman-has-discipline-of-a-lawyer-and-a-great-eye-for-talent/

- MIL: Keys Behind The Recent Win Streak (from Thomas Brown, Hoops Habit): https://hoopshabit.com/2022/03/07/keys-milwaukee-bucks-streak/

- MIN: Prince Is Seizing Opportunity With Edwards Resting (from Troy Asseln, Zone Coverage): https://zonecoverage.com/2022/timberwolves/taurean-prince-is-seizing-every-opportunity-with-edwards-resting/

- NOP: Q & A: Pels' Asst GM Bryson Graham (from Mike Vorkunov, The Athletic): https://theathletic.com/3166063/2022/03/07/nba-40-under-40-pelicans-assistant-gm-bryson-graham-who-will-be-a-gm-in-the-next-five-years/

- NOP: The Pels Outscored Opponents By 26.8 PPG In 1st Four Post-ASG Games (from Jim Eichenhofer, pelicans.com) https://www.nba.com/pelicans/news/pelicans-practice-report-presented-hub-international-nolas-historically-dominant-second-half

- PHO: Q & A: Devin Booker (from Lane Florsheim, Wall Street Journal): https://www.wsj.com/articles/devin-booker-interview-kobe-bryant-11646659758?mod=e2twmag

- PHO: The Life & Career Of Suns' HOF Broadcaster Al McCoy, Part One (from Patrick Kurish, Suns.com): https://www.nba.com/suns/news/greatest-sun-al-mccoy#

- PHO: The Suns Keep Chugging Along (from Kurt Streeter, NY Times): https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/07/sports/basketball/phoenix-suns-nba-best-record.html

- POR: Simons Adjusts To Being #1 Option (from Casey Holdahl, blazers.com): https://www.nba.com/blazers/forwardcenter/his-fourth-season-anfernee-simons-adjusts-life-number-one-option

- SAS: Why The Spurs Aren't Playing Richardson More (from Jesus Gomez, pounding The Rock): https://www.poundingtherock.com/2022/3/6/22964654/why-the-spurs-arent-playing-josh-richardson-more

- TOR: Reasons To Feel Good About The Struggling Raptors (from Eric Koreen, The Athletic): https://theathletic.com/3166805/2022/03/06/scottie-barnes-stardom-pascal-siakams-fight-and-more-10-reasons-to-feel-good-about-the-struggling-raptors/

- TOR: Mind Right, Body Right, Game Right (from Vivek Jacob, Raptors.com): https://www.nba.com/raptors/news/mind-right-body-right-game-right

- WAS: KP's Wizards Debut (from Josh Robbins, The Athletic): https://theathletic.com/3166882/2022/03/07/hes-one-of-a-kind-kristaps-porzingis-lived-up-to-his-nickname-in-his-washington-wizards-debut/

- WAS: Kuzma Cherishes The Opportunity To Redefine Himself (from Josh Robbins, The Athletic): https://theathletic.com/3166171/2022/03/07/kyle-kuzma-cherishes-the-opportunity-to-redefine-himself-with-the-wizards-im-very-misunderstood/

LEAGUE-WIDE STORIES

- 7 Observations (from Kevin O'Connor, The Ringer): https://www.theringer.com/nba/2022/3/7/22965361/jarrett-allen-injury-knicks-sixers

- The Play-In Tournament Has Already Accomplished Its Goal (from Ben Golliver/Jeremy Gottlieb, Washington Post): https://s2.washingtonpost.com/camp-rw/?trackId=5969746d9bbc0f4b7755cfed&s=6226392a9d2fda34e7c11c08&linknum=4&linktot=91

- The NBA's Unluckiest Passers (from Ian Levy, The Step Back): https://fansided.com/2022/03/07/nba-unluckiest-passers-power-ranking/

- This Season's Biggest Surprises (from Colin Ward-Henninger, CBS Sports): https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/ranking-nba-seasons-biggest-surprises-including-lakers-disaster-james-harden-trade-grizzlies-rapid-rise/

- Overtime Elite: The Thompson Twins Are Spearheading A New Path To The NBA Lottery (form Jeremy Woo, Sports Illustrated): https://www.si.com/nba/2022/03/07/overtime-elite-thompson-twins-daily-cover

- 2022 Draft: Undervalued Prospects (from Nathan Grubel, No Ceilings):