Basketball Intelligence For 10/5/21

Today's Best NBA Reporting And Analysis

- BOS: Udoka's Talented Staff (from Justin Trombino, Hoops Habit): https://hoopshabit.com/2021/10/05/boston-celtics-ime-udoka-coaching-staff/

- BOS: Takeaways From Preseason Opener (from Keith Smith, Celtics Blog):  https://www.celticsblog.com/2021/10/5/22710554/kids-key-a-comeback-10-takeaways-from-boston-celtics-orlando-magic

From Greg Dudek, Brockton Enterprise: https://www.providencejournal.com/story/sports/nba/celtics/2021/10/05/five-thoughts-boston-celtics-preseason-opening-win-over-orlando-magic/6001923001/

From Tom Westerholm, Boston.com: https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-celtics/2021/10/05/celtics-magic-takeaways/

From Mark Murphy, Boston Herald: https://www.bostonherald.com/2021/10/04/1004-bh-s-celticsnotes/

- CHI: Bulls Offseason Review (from Luke Adams, Hoops Rumors):  https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2021/10/2021-nba-offseason-in-review-chicago-bulls.html

- CHI: Dosunmu's Biggest Challenge Is The Depth Chart (from Joe Cowley, Sun Times):  https://chicago.suntimes.com/bulls/2021/10/4/22709459/bulls-rookie-ayo-dosunmu-toughest-challenge-is-depth-chart

- CLE: Will The Cavs Choose Winning Now Over Their Future Cornerstone?  (from Jonathan Tjarks, The Ringer):  https://www.theringer.com/2021/10/5/22708269/evan-mobley-cleveland-cavaliers

- DAL:  Q & A: GM Nico Harrison (from Callie Caplan, Morning News):  https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/mavericks/2021/10/04/nico-harrison-on-why-luka-doncic-will-be-in-mvp-talks-every-year-where-mavs-improved-most-and-more/

- DEN: Takeaways From Preseason Opener (from Mike Singer, Denver Post):  https://www.denverpost.com/2021/10/04/michael-porter-jr-bones-hyland-nuggets-takeaways/

From Eric Spyropoulos, nuggets.com:  https://www.nba.com/nuggets/news/nuggets-clippers-100421

- DEN: Hyland Looks Like The Complete Package (from Harrison Wind, The DNVR):  https://thednvr.com/hes-ahead-of-the-curve-bones-hyland-looks-like-the-complete-package/

- DEN: Nuggets' 'Egoless' Culture Is Proving Its Value (from Joel Rush, Forbes):  https://www.forbes.com/sites/joelrush/2021/10/04/embodied-by-mvp-nikola-jokic-egoless-denver-nuggets-culture-is-proving-its-value/?sh=77d02f143b59

- DEN: MPJ's Burning Desire To Get Better (from Harrison Wind, The DNVR):  https://thednvr.com/inside-michael-porter-jr-and-steph-currys-summer-workouts-and-porters-burning-desire-to-get-better/

- DET: Jerami Grant Embraces Leadership Role (from Lauren Williams, MLive):  https://www.mlive.com/pistons/2021/10/pistons-jerami-grant-embraces-leadership-role-after-learning-to-be-the-guy-last-year.html

- DET: Trey Lyles' Valuable Roles (from Omari Sankofa II, Free Press):  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2021/10/05/detroit-pistons-trey-lyles-size-shooting-training-camp/5996262001/

- DET: New Coaching Staff Tasked With Schooling Young Squad (from Rod Beard, Detroit News):  https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2021/10/04/pistons-new-coaching-staff-charged-schooling-young-squad/5988575001/

- GSW: Curry & Kerr Adjust To The Rule Changes (from Anthony Slater, The Athletic):  https://theathletic.com/2867566/2021/10/04/warriors-steph-curry-and-steve-kerr-adjust-to-nba-rule-changes-the-game-needs-it/

- GSW: Dubs Will Lean On Shooting, Spacing (from Monte Poole, NBC Sports):  https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/warriors/small-warriors-lean-shooting-spacing-offensive-end

- GSW: Wiseman Ready To Make Big Strides (from Alex Kennedy, Basketball News):  https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/james-wiseman-ready-to-make-big-strides-im-going-to-be-way-better

From Kendra Andrews, NBC Sports: https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/warriors/james-wiseman-must-become-warriors-threat-down-low-contend

- GSW: Kerr Still Figuring Out Kuminga's Role (from Kendra Andrews, NBC Sports):  https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/warriors/steve-kerr-warriors-still-figuring-out-jonathan-kumingas-role

- HOU: A Healthy Exum Gets Another Chance (from Coty Davis, The Dream Shake):  https://www.thedreamshake.com/2021/10/5/22709643/preseason-could-be-dante-exums-last-chance-to-crack-the-nba-roster-houston-rockets

- HOU: Christian Wood Finds Patience With Rebuilding Rockets (from Jonathan Feigen, Houston Chronicle):  https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/rockets/article/Christian-Wood-finds-patience-with-rebuilding-16508355.php

- IND: Pacers' Season Preview (from John Hollinger, The Athletic):  https://theathletic.com/2860650/2021/10/05/hollingers-2021-22-miami-heat-preview-lineup-roster-prediction-do-the-stars-have-enough-help/

- LAC: Brandon Boston's Momentous Opening Night (from Mirjam Swanson, OC Register):  https://www.dailybulletin.com/2021/10/04/brandon-boston-jr-starts-as-clippers-beat-nuggets-in-preseason-opener/

- LAL: Monk's Projected Role (from Broderick Turner, LA Times):  https://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/story/2021-10-04/malik-monk-microwave-lakers-nickname-nets-preseason-nba

- MIA: Heat Season Preview (from John Hollinger, The Athletic):  https://theathletic.com/2860650/2021/10/05/hollingers-2021-22-miami-heat-preview-lineup-roster-prediction-do-the-stars-have-enough-help/

- MIA: Lowry Makes Things Easier For The Heat (from Nekias Duncan, Basketball News):  https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/kyle-lowry-makes-early-impact-in-miami-heat-debut

- NYK: Quickley's Year 2 Expectations (from Fred Katz, The Athletic):  https://theathletic.com/2868387/2021/10/05/knicks-immanuel-quickley-details-year-2-expectations-and-harmonious-relationship-with-tom-thibodeau/

From Marc Berman, NY Post:  https://nypost.com/2021/10/04/this-knicks-preseason-will-be-so-different-for-immanuel-quickley

- NYK: Can McBride Crack Thibs' Tight Rotation? (from Jack Huntley, The Strick.land):  https://www.thestrick.land/strick/breaking-news-the-knicks-a-good-team-with-good-players-are-normal

- NYK: What Did Knicks' Players Focus On During The Offseason? (from Kento Kato, Posting And Toasting):   https://www.postingandtoasting.com/2021/10/4/22702691/what-did-knicks-players-focus-on-during-the-offseason

- NYK: Derrick Rose Is Blooming In Garden Of Knicks (from Alder Almo, Empire Sports Media):  https://empiresportsmedia.com/new-york-knicks/how-derrick-rose-is-blooming-in-the-garden-of-knicks/

- OKC: Takeaways From Preseason Opener (from Joe Mussatto, The Oklahoman):  https://www.oklahoman.com/story/sports/nba/thunder/2021/10/04/thunder-hornets-nba-preseason-game-recap/5997407001/

- OKC: Giddey's Excellent Debut (from Jayden Rule, Daily Thunder):  https://dailythunder.com/analyzing-josh-giddeys-excellent-preseason-debut/

From Benyam Kidane, Sporting News:  https://www.sportingnews.com/au/nba/news/josh-giddey-pre-season-debut-oklahoma-city-thunder-charlotte-hornets/1udsikv3kma2m1mbg25y6si3r5

- PHI: How The Sixers Plan To Play Without Simmons (from Rich Hofmann, The Athletic): https://theathletic.com/2868852/2021/10/05/how-the-sixers-plan-to-play-without-ben-simmons-its-a-collective-thing/

- PHI: The Sixers-Simmons Feud Is Getting Worse (from Chris Mannix, Sports Illustrated):  https://www.si.com/nba/2021/10/05/ben-simmons-philadelphia-76ers-feud

From Tim Bontemps/Bobby Marks, ESPN:  https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/32135075/everything-know-know-ben-simmons-philadelphia-76ers-their-trade-impasse

From Dave Caldwell, The Guardian:  https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/oct/05/ben-simmons-holdout-philadelphia-76ers-nba

- PHO: Q & A: Deandre Ayton (from Duane Rankin, Arizona Republic):  https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2021/10/05/its-personal-now-ayton-suns-ready-show-last-season-wasnt-fluke/5986616001/

- POR: Blazers' Season Preview (from John Hollinger, The Athhletic):  https://theathletic.com/2860640/2021/10/05/hollingers-2021-22-portland-trail-blazers-preview-lineup-roster-prediction-is-liilard-time-on-borrowed-time/

- POR: Nurkic Takes 1st Steps In Expanded Role (from Aaron Fentress, Oregon Live):  https://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2021/10/portland-trail-blazers-jusuf-nurkic-takes-first-steps-in-expanded-role.html

- SAC: Davion Mitchell Shows Elite Defense In Preseason Opener (from Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee):  https://www.sacbee.com/article254745597.html

- SAC: Luke Walton Might Be The Only NBA Coach On A True Hot Seat (from Ben Golliver, Washington Post):  https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/10/04/nba-coaching-hot-seats/

- SAS: For Doug McDermott, Basketball Is The Family Business (from Jeff McDonald, Express News):  https://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/For-San-Antonio-Spurs-Doug-McDermott-16504860.php

- TOR: It Is Already Scottie Barnes Time (from Eric Koreen, The Athletic):  https://theathletic.com/2868455/2021/10/05/raptors-preseason-observations-its-already-scottie-barnes-time-as-raptors-re-debut-in-toronto/

From Louis Zatzman, Raptors Republic:  https://www.raptorsrepublic.com/2021/10/05/scottie-barnes-thrives-tantalizes-as-toronto-raptors-dismantle-philadelphia-76ers-in-preseason/

- UTA: Takeaways From Preseason Opener (from Andy Larsen, Salt Lake Tribune):  https://www.sltrib.com/sports/jazz/2021/10/04/triple-team-jazz-struggle/

From Sarah Todd, Deseret News: https://www.deseret.com/2021/10/4/22708994/instant-analysis-utah-jazz-dropped-preseason-opener-but-there-were-bright-spots-san-antonio-spurs

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- Supermaxes & Incentives In 2021-22 (from Bobby Marks, ESPN):  https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/32338588/nba-bonus-watch-supermaxes-incentives-2021-22

- Are Two-A-Days Still A Thing (from Marc Stein, The Stein Line):  

Are NBA two-a-days still a thing?

- Teams On The Brink Of A Breakout (from Grant Hughes, Bleacher Report):  https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2948944-nba-teams-on-the-brink-of-a-breakout

- "Vying For Vic":  Wembanyama Aims For The NBA (from Maravi Post):  https://www.maravipost.com/franco-congolese-youngstar-aims-to-feature-at-the-nba-league/

(Note: We've nicknamed the 30-team 2023 Tankathon "Vying for Vic".  Of course, not every team will be able to go 0-82)

- 2022 Draft: Q & A With Matt Babcock (from Ethan Fuller, Basketball News): https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/previewing-the-2022-nba-draft-qa-with-matt-babcock

- Q & A: Lisa Byington & Kate Scott (from Richard Deitsch, The Athletic):  https://theathletic.com/2863466/2021/10/04/meet-the-nbas-pioneering-new-play-by-play-voices-lisa-byington-and-kate-scott-on-their-trailblazing-paths/

- Yes, LeBron, Vaccination Is A Social Justice Issue (from David Dennis, The Undefeated):  https://theundefeated.com/features/yes-lebron-vaccination-is-a-social-justice-issue/

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FOUR YEARS AGO TODAY: from the BI Archives:

http://basketballintelligence.net/2017/10/05/todays-best-nba-reporting-analysis-10517/