Basketball Intelligence For 6/21/25
The day's best news and reporting.
NBA FINALS
(PODCAST) Pacers put the pressure on OKC, force Game 7 by dialing back their press
Caitlin Cooper, Basketball, She Wrote
Game 7!
Kelly Dwyer, Kelly Dwyer On Hoops
Game 7-o-rama
Coach Thorpe, True Hoop
2025 NBA draft big board rankings: Top 100 prospects
Jonathan Givony
Pacers have a chance to be 'the most unusual, unexpected NBA champion in the history of the sport'
Dustin Dopirak, Indianapolis Star
BI: In the 1978 NBA Finals, the Washington Bullets, down 3-2, beat the Seattle Supersonics in game 6 by 35 points, before securing the franchise’s sole title by going into Seattle and winning game 7
How Pacers’ counterintuitive strategy shut down Thunder’s stars in NBA Finals
Jared Weiss, The Athletic
The best two words in sports: ‘Game 7.’ Are ESPN and the NBA ready?
Richard Deitsch/Dan Shanoff, The Athletic
Thunder needs Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to play like the MVP again to win NBA title
Jenni Carlson, The Oklahoman
BI: Home teams are 15-4 all-time in NBA Finals game 7’s.
Obi Toppin is realizing his potential before our very eyes
Elie Deglaoui, 8 Pts 9 Secs
‘One game. Bring your A game’: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander resets for historic NBA Finals Game 7
Marc J. Spears, Andscape
This is the first NBA Finals Game 7 since LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors in the deciding game of the 2016 NBA Finals in Oakland, California. The 20th Game 7 in NBA Finals history will be played Sunday at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City (8 pm. ET, ABC).
NBA DRAFT
Saturday Shake-Up: Ace Bailey’s Gamble, Charlotte’s Trade Talks and the Nets’ Allure
Rafael Barlowe, NBA Big Board
The Uncertainties: Prospects I'm Lower On Than Consensus
Jacob Sutton, JSutt Hoops
Apricot's 2025 NBA Draft Tournament Group E: John Tonje, Koby Brea, Max Shulga, Chaz Lanier, Eric Dixon
Eric Apricot, Dub Nation HQ
VJ Edgecombe might not profile as an NBA star, but he is one of the most complete and ready players in the draft
Sarah Todd, Deseret News
Cedric Coward's path to the NBA Draft shouldn't be possible
Matt Norlander, CBS Sports
2025 NBA Mock Draft 7.0: Predicting all 59 picks, with Ace Bailey sliding
Bryan Kalbrosky, For The Win
2025 NBA Draft scouting report: Liam McNeeley
Glen Willies, Peachtree Hoops
2025 NBA Mock Draft: Baylor's VJ Edgecombe makes late jump, Duke's Kon Knueppel cracks top five
David Cobb, CBS Sports
“He’s Soft As S- – -“: NBA Scouts Get Brutally Candid on Draft Prospects
Seth Davis, Hoops HQ
Drake Powell Scouting Deepdive
Ethan Alexander, The Draftstack
Cedric Coward Breakdown
Glenn Willis NBA
Offensively, Coward’s game is defined by quick decision-making, rim pressure, and a willingness to play within a team structure. His best moments come in transition or in flow—he’s dangerous when attacking closeouts, running lanes, or cutting behind distracted defenders. He shows a natural feel for spacing and timing, often making well-timed baseline cuts or short rolls when his man overcommits. Importantly, Coward embraces the “0.5 decision-making” philosophy: he doesn’t hold the ball long, rarely over-dribbles, and thrives on making the quick pass, the extra swing, or the immediate drive.
2025 Scouting Report: Joan Beringer
Paul Garcia, The Spot Up Shot
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