Basketball Intelligence For 11/16/21

Today's Best NBA Reporting And Analysis

- ATL: Takeaways From Win Over Magic (from Sarah Spencer, AJC):  https://behindthebuckpass.com/2021/11/15/milwaukee-bucks-takeaways-frustrating-loss-atlanta-hawks/

- BKN: Never Mind The Rule Changes, Here's KD (from Jonathan Tjarks, The Ringer):  https://www.theringer.com/nba/2021/11/16/22783801/kevin-durant-brooklyn-nets-rule-changes-scoring

- BOS: Celtics Show Elite Defense In Early Season Turnaround (from Brian Robb, Mass Live):  https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2021/11/celtics-show-off-elite-defensive-upside-in-early-season-turnaround-thats-our-identity.html

- BOS: Tatum's Confidence Hasn't Wavered (from Souichi Terada, Mass Live):  https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2021/11/celtics-jayson-tatum-working-through-shooting-issues-but-confidence-never-a-problem-i-havent-doubted-myself-not-once.html

- BOS: Celtics Working On Getting Their Offense To Be As Effective As Their Defense (from Jay King, The Athletic): https://theathletic.com/2958630/2021/11/16/despite-win-celtics-still-working-on-getting-their-offense-to-be-as-effective-as-their-defense/

From Will Bjarnar, Celtics Blog: https://www.celticsblog.com/2021/11/16/22784522/boston-celtics-offense-struggles-defense-dominates-cleveland-cavaliers-ime-udoka-jayson-tatum

- BOS: Takeaways From Win Over Cavs (from Justin Leger, NBC Sports):  https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/celtics/celtics-vs-cavaliers-takeaways-al-horford-difference-maker-cs-win

From Adam Himmelsbach, Boston Globe: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/11/15/sports/this-time-celtics-able-hold-off-cavaliers-late/

From Keith Smith,Celtics Blog: https://www.celticsblog.com/2021/11/16/22785167/rob-less-bigs-lead-the-way-to-a-win-10-takeaways-from-boston-celtics-cleveland-cavaliers

From Mark Murphy, Boston Herald: https://www.bostonherald.com/2021/11/15/celtics-come-back-for-98-92-win-over-cavs/

- CHI: Takeaways From Win Over Lakers (from Darnell Mayberry, The Athletic):  https://theathletic.com/2958854/2021/11/16/demar-derozan-is-in-a-zone-lonzo-ball-leads-a-3-point-barrage-bulls-rout-lakers/

From Rob Schaefer, NBC Sports: https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/bulls/10-observations-demar-derozan-lonzo-ball-fuel-bulls-win-vs-lakers

- CHI: DeRozan Carries Memories Of His Father With Him (from Marc J. Spears, The Undefeated):  https://theundefeated.com/features/the-bulls-demar-derozan-carries-memory-of-his-father-with-him/

- CLE: Takeaways From Loss To Celtics (from Sam Amico, Hoops Wire):  https://hoopswire.com/dribbles-everything-finally-catches-up-with-feisty-cavs-but-barely/

From Chris Fedor, cleveland.com: https://www.cleveland.com/cavs/2021/11/cleveland-cavaliers-finally-lose-battle-of-attrition-fall-to-boston-celtics-98-92.html

- DEN: Takeaways From Loss To Mavericks (from Eric Spyropoulos, nuggets.com):  https://www.nba.com/nuggets/news/nuggets-mavericks-111521

- DEN Joy Has Returned To Denver Basketball (from Gordon Gross, Denver Stiffs):  https://www.denverstiffs.com/2021/11/15/22764611/joy-has-returned-denver-nuggets-basketball-nikola-jokic-mvp

- DEN: Jokic Has Potential To Repeat As MVP (from Dan Devine, The Ringer):  https://www.theringer.com/nba/2021/11/15/22783597/nikola-jokic-mvp-repeat-contender

- DET: The Pistons Are Going Thru Puberty (from James Edwards III, The Athletic):  https://theathletic.com/2958467/2021/11/16/edwards-the-pistons-are-going-through-puberty/

- DET: Takeaways From Loss To Kings (from Rod Beard, Detroit News):  https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2021/11/15/cunninghams-career-best-25-points-bright-spot-lopsided-loss-kings/8622907002/

- GSW: The Dubs Are Relishing The Skepticism (from Howard Beck, Sports Illustrated):  https://www.si.com/nba/2021/11/16/warriors-resurgence-stephen-curry-klay-thompson-draymond-green

- GSW: Steph's Scientific Quest For The Perfect Shot (from Ben Cohen, Wall Street Journal):  https://www.wsj.com/articles/stephen-curry-warriors-shooting-11637027582

- GSW: Kuminga Already Has The Tools To Be A Key Rotation Piece (from Joe Viray, Golden State Of Mind):  https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2021/11/15/22782514/warriors-jonathan-kuminga-film-breakdown

From Adam Zagoria, NJ.com:  https://www.nj.com/nets/2021/11/former-nj-prep-star-jonathan-kuminga-drawing-comparisons-to-kawhi-leonard-while-learning-alongside-golden-states-stars.html

- LAC: Clippers Seek To Shake Their Slow-Starting Ways (from Mirjam Swanson, OC Register):  https://www.ocregister.com/2021/11/15/clippers-seek-to-shake-their-slow-starting-ways/

From Law Murray, The Athletic:  https://theathletic.com/2957210/2021/11/15/clippers-built-a-foundation-with-7-game-win-streak-but-now-the-show-must-go-on-after-bulls-loss

- MEM: Takeaways From Win Over Rockets (from Parker Fleming, Grizzly Bear Blues):  https://www.grizzlybearblues.com/2021/11/16/22784587/report-card-grizzlies-regain-urgency-in-big-win-over-houston-rockets-jaren-jackson-jr-nba

From Sharon Brown, Memphis Flyer: https://www.memphisflyer.com/the-grizzlies-snap-skid-with-136-102-victory-over-rockets

- MIL:  Why Giannis Chose The Path Of Most Resistance (from Zach Baron, GQ):  https://www.gq.com/story/giannis-antetokounmpo-athlete-of-the-year-2021

- MIL: Takeaways From Loss To Hawks (from Dalton Sell, Behind The Buck Pass):  https://behindthebuckpass.com/2021/11/15/milwaukee-bucks-takeaways-frustrating-loss-atlanta-hawks/

- NYK: Gibson Anchors Defense As Knicks' Big Man Injuries Continue (from Marc Berman, NY Post):  https://nypost.com/2021/11/16/taj-gibson-anchors-defense-as-knicks-big-man-injuries-continue

- NYK: Why Isn't Toppin Playing More? (from Stefan Bondy, Daily News):  https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/ny-obi-toppin-playing-time-20211116-ej62m4rxjrepblefujqys3nvni-story.html

From Steve Popper, Newsday: https://www.newsday.com/sports/basketball/knicks/obi-toppin-knicks-1.50423507

- OKC: Takeaways From Loss To Heat (from Joe Mussatto, The Oklahoman):  https://news.yahoo.com/thunder-vs-heat-five-takeaways-033936984.html

- ORL: Franz Wagner Exits Comfort Zone To Defend Lethal Scorers (from Matt Murschel, Orlando Sentinel):  https://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/os-sp-orlando-magic-atlanta-hawks-folo-20211116-dqwjn3purzg67nvuhl475t3xae-story.html

- PHI: With Embiid Still Out, The Road Ahead Doesn't Get Any Easier (from Keith Pompey, The INquirer):  https://www.inquirer.com/sixers/sixers-face-tough-tests-in-jazz-nuggets-without-embiid-20211116.html

- PHO: Takeaways From Win Over Wolves (from Duane Rankin, Arizona Republic):  https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2021/11/15/5-takeaways-suns-road-escape-over-timberwolves-9th-straight-win/8633719002/

- POR: Takeaways From Win Over Raptors (from Casey Holdahl, blazers.com):  https://www.nba.com/blazers/news/trail-blazers-best-raptors-moda-extend-home-win-streak-six

- POR: Norm Powell: Still Driven (from Doug Smith, Toronto Star):  https://www.thestar.com/sports/raptors/2021/11/15/former-raptor-norm-powell-is-set-for-life-and-still-as-driven-as-ever-to-be-the-best-with-the-trail-blazers.html

- SAS: How The Spurs' Pick-And-Roll D Gave Up Easy Points To Lakers' Bigs (from CharlieOCharles, Pounding The Rock):  https://www.poundingtherock.com/2021/11/15/22783367/how-the-spurs-pick-and-roll-defense-gave-up-easy-points-to-the-lakers-bigs

- SAS: Spurs Pleased With Murray's Leadership (from Tom Orsborn, Express News):  https://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/Spurs-pleased-with-Dejounte-Murray-s-leadership-16622992.php

- TOR: In Return To Portland, Trent Has A Chance To Show His Evolution (from Michael Grange, Sportsnet):  https://www.sportsnet.ca/nba/article/return-nba-path-began-trent-jr-chance-show-evolution/

From Eric Koreen, The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/2958682/2021/11/16/raptors-gary-trent-jr-and-blazers-norman-powell-fitting-in-just-fine-with-new-teams

- UTA: Conley Is Preparing For The Long Run With Extra Rest & Yoga (from Tony Jones, The Athletic):  https://theathletic.com/2956313/2021/11/15/mike-conley-is-preparing-for-the-long-run-with-the-jazz-thanks-to-extra-rest-and-bikram-yoga/

- UTA: Jared Butler Is Ready To Talk About His Heart Condition (from Andy Larsen, Salt Lake Tribune):  https://www.sltrib.com/sports/jazz/2021/11/15/utah-jazz-rookie-jared/

- UTA: O'Neale Is The Latest Mid-Career Player To Break Out For The Jazz (from Ben Dowsett, FiveThirtyEight):  https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/royce-oneale-is-the-latest-midcareer-player-to-break-out-for-the-jazz/

- UTA: The Jazz Week In Review (from Dan Clayton, Salt City Hoops):  https://saltcityhoops.com/sc7111521-def-before-after-concentration/

- WAS: Wes Unseld, Jr. Fits The Wizards (from Josh Robbins, The Athletic):  https://theathletic.com/2958738/2021/11/16/wes-unseld-jr-fits-the-east-leading-wizards-thats-just-me-being-who-i-am/

- WAS: Is The Wizards' Defense For Real? (from Ian Levy, The Step Back):  https://fansided.com/2021/11/16/washington-wizards-elite-defense/

- WAS: Takeaways From Win Over Pels (from Ava Wallace, Washington Post):  https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/11/15/wizards-pelicans-comeback/

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- The Week That Was (from John Hollinger, The Athletic):  https://theathletic.com/2956935/2021/11/15/rebuilt-bulls-ride-into-l-a-kings-vs-kangz-scouting-jaime-jaquez-jr-brandon-boston-hollingers-week-that-was/

- 2022 Mock Draft 2.0 (from Krysten Peek, Yahoo Sports):  https://sports.yahoo.com/2022-nba-mock-draft-2-chet-holmgren-paolo-banchero-impress-early-140019537.html

- A Possible Way To Inhibit Those Hideous "Take" Fouls (from Robby Kalland, Dime Mag):  https://uproxx.com/dimemag/nba-take-foul-problem-advantage-rule-fix/

- His Program Was Built To Prep Prospects For The Draft. It Left Them Adrift Instead (from David Gardner, Washington Post):  https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/11/16/chameleon-bx-nba-draft-masked-trainer/

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FOUR YEARS AGO TODAY: from the BI archives:

http://basketballintelligence.net/2017/11/16/todays-best-nba-reporting-analysis-111617-part-one/