Basketball Intelligence For 11/17/21

Today's Best NBA Reporting

- BKN: Takeaways From Loss To Dubs (from Alex Schiffer, The Athletic):  https://theathletic.com/2961014/2021/11/17/warriors-expose-nets-flaws-and-lack-of-depth-slow-kevin-durant-in-blowout/

From Tim Bontemps, ESPN: https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/32650463/golden-state-warriors-enjoy-return-spotlight-brooklyn-nets-acknowledge-not-there-yet

- BKN: KD Can Score From Anywhere (from Sopan Deb, NY Times):  https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/16/sports/basketball/kevin-durant-midrange.html

- BOS: Takeaways From Win Over Cavs (from Jared Weiss, The Athletic):  https://theathletic.com/2960505/2021/11/17/celtics-trying-to-fine-tune-offense-in-second-half-of-cleveland-win-a-positive-sign-film-breakdown

- BOS: Pritchard Is Searching For Answers To His Shooting Woes (from Adam Himmelsbach, Boston Globe):  https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/11/16/sports/payton-pritchard-sniffs-around-answer-shooting-woes/

- BOS: Positive Signs From Udoka's 1st 14 Games (from Tom Westerholm, Boston.com): https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-celtics/2021/11/16/celtics-fans-ime-udoka-jayson-tatum/

- CHI: The Bulls' Formula For Success: Small Egos, High Character (from Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune):  https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/bulls/ct-chicago-bulls-lonzo-ball-demar-derozan-20211117-zdtbcolgv5dgbmfm65kfkaax6i-story.html

- CLE: How Will The Cavs Fill The Mobley Void? (from Kelsey Russo, The Athletic):  https://theathletic.com/2960198/2021/11/16/evan-mobley-out-2-4-weeks-with-an-elbow-sprain-how-will-the-shorthanded-cavaliers-fill-that-gap/

From Kevin Pelton, ESPN:  https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/32584696/what-evan-mobley-injury-means-cleveland-cavaliers-surprising-start

- DAL: KP's Time To Shine (from Callie Caplan, Dallas Morning News):  https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/mavericks/2021/11/16/kristaps-porzingis-time-to-shine-mavs-need-him-to-continue-surging-with-luka-doncic-nursing-injury/

- DEN: Now Jokic Is One Of The NBA's Best Defenders (from Sean Keeler, Denver Post):  https://www.denverpost.com/2021/11/16/nikola-jokic-rudy-gobert-draymond-green-denver-nuggets-nba-defense/

- DEN: Aaron Gordon Has Revived His Career & Might Be Key Piece To Title Run (from Tommy Knowlton, Denver Stiffs):  https://www.denverstiffs.com/2021/11/17/22786368/denver-nuggets-aaron-gordon-nikola-jokic-nba-playoffs-championship-will-barton-arizona-wildcats

- DET: Film Breakdown: Off-Target Passes Dooming Pistons (from Bryce Simon, Detroit Bad Boys):  https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2021/11/16/22785570/detroit-pistons-bad-passes-film-dont-lie

-  GSW: The Dubs Are Back In Championship Form...And Getting Better (from Ricky O'Donnell, SBNation): https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2021/11/17/22786603/golden-state-warriors-hot-start-championship-favorites-curry

From Michael Pina, Sports Illustrated: https://www.si.com/nba/2021/11/17/warriors-offense-bounce-back-stephen-curry

From Yaron Weitzman, Fox Sports:  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nba/steph-curry-draymond-green-have-warriors-back-on-top-of-the-nba-hierarchy

- GSW: How Did It Take This Long For GP2 To Find His Niche? (from Ian Levy, The Step Back):  https://fansided.com/2021/11/17/gary-payton-ii-defense-niche-warriors

- GSW: Takeaways From Win Over Nets (from Marcus Thompson II, The Athletic):  https://theathletic.com/2960950/2021/11/17/thompson-draymond-green-shines-against-kevin-durant-in-signature-performance/

From Dieter Kurtenbach, Bay Area News Group:  https://www.chicoer.com/2021/11/17/warriors-3-things-draymond-greens-incredible-invaluable-defense-shut-down-kevin-durant-and-has-golden-state-looking-like-a-title-contender-again/

From Anthony Slater, The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/2960623/2021/11/17/five-observations-warriors-lock-up-nets-deliver-blowout-statement-in-brooklyn

- HOU: This Is Always How The Rebuild Was Going To Look (from Raymond Lucas Jr, The Dream Shake): https://www.thedreamshake.com/2021/11/16/22784155/this-is-always-how-the-rebuilding-houston-rockets-were-going-to-look

- IND: TJ McConnell Is The Pacers' Heart & Soul (from Evan Massey, Clutch Points):  https://clutchpoints.com/pacers-x-factor-for-rest-of-2021-22-nba-season-and-its-not-chris-duarte/

- LAC: PG13, Clippers School Young Spurs (from Mirjam Swanson, OC Register):  https://www.ocregister.com/2021/11/16/paul-george-clippers-school-young-spurs/

From Andrew Greif, LA Times:  https://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/story/2021-11-16/paul-george-reggie-jackson-lift-clippers-over-spurs

- LAC: Boston, Jr & Coffey Make Their Case For PT (from Law Murray, The Athletic):  https://theathletic.com/2961250/2021/11/17/clippers-rotation-deliberation-brandon-boston-jr-amir-coffey-make-their-cases-to-play/

- MEM: Morant Is Becoming Great In Real Time (from Jeff Zillgitt, USA Today):  https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/grizzlies/2021/11/17/ja-morant-star-would-he-go-ahead-zion-williamson/6393227001/

- MEM: Walking The Line With Ziaire Williams (from Joe Mullinax, Grizzly Bear Blues):  https://www.grizzlybearblues.com/2021/11/17/22786434/walking-the-line-with-ziaire-williams-nba-memphis-grizzlies

- MIA: Heat Notebook (from Barry Jackson, Miami Herald):  https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/barry-jackson/article255557351.html

- MIA: Tyler Herro's Maturation (from Matt Hanifan, Hot Hot Hoops):  https://www.hothothoops.com/2021/11/17/22786315/tyler-herro-maturation-is-one-to-behold-miami-heat-nba-erik-spoelstra-kyle-lowry

- MIA: Duncan Robinson's Looks Are Shifting For The Better (from Brady Hawk, Five Reasons Sports):  https://www.fivereasonssports.com/news/how-are-duncan-robinsons-looks-shifting-for-the-better/

- MIN: Wolves Are Searching For Flow.  It Starts With KAT (from Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic):  https://theathletic.com/2958371/2021/11/17/timberwolves-are-searching-for-flow-and-it-starts-with-karl-anthony-towns/

- MIN: Breaking Down The Final Play Of Loss To Suns (from Jake Paynting, Howls And Growls):  

Straight Sets: Ghosts and Game-Winners

- NYK: Explaining The Knicks Offense-Defense Trade-Off (from Jesse Cinquini, The Knicks Wall):  https://theknickswall.com/explaining-knicks-topsy-turvy-offense-defense-trade-off/

- PHI: Rivers Gives His Keys For Improving Sixers Transition D (from Ky Carlin, USA Today):  https://sixerswire.usatoday.com/2021/11/17/doc-rivers-gives-his-keys-for-sixers-to-become-better-in-transition-defense/

- PHI: Takeaways From Loss To Jazz (from Keith Pompey, The INquirer):  https://www.inquirer.com/sixers/jazz-rout-sixers-harris-milton-gobert-20211117.html

- PHO: The Suns Are Rolling Even As The Investigation Looms (from Rob Mahoney, The Ringer):  https://www.theringer.com/nba/2021/11/17/22786721/phoenix-suns-chris-paul-robert-sarver

From Dave King, Bright Side Of The Sun:  https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2021/11/16/22785222/phoenix-suns-centers-are-on-a-roll-ayton-mcgee-kaminsky

- POR: Billups Leaning On Bench In Crucial Moments (from Aaron Fentress, Oregon Live):  https://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2021/11/chauncey-billups-leaning-on-trail-blazers-bench-in-crucial-moments.html

- POR: Simons Is Growing Into A True PG (from Joe Moore, Blazer's Edge):  https://www.blazersedge.com/2021/11/16/22782706/portland-trail-blazers-anfernee-simons-growing-into-true-point-guard

- SAC: Why Walton Played Bagley Vs Pistons (from Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee):  https://www.sacbee.com/sports/nba/sacramento-kings/article255887911.html

- SAS: Murray's Breakout Season (from Dylan Carter, Air Alamo):  https://airalamo.com/posts/san-antonio-spurs-dejounte-murray-breakout-season-fueled-drive-lead

- TOR: There's Much More To Anunoby's Improvement Than The Numbers (from Scott Rafferty, NBA.com):  https://ca.nba.com/news/og-anunoby-improvement-numbers/438iwqbmtsi51pvw0rqh6j6ue

- TOR: Takeaways From Loss To Blazers (from William Lou, Sportsnet):  https://www.sportsnet.ca/nba/article/10-things-raptors-defence-continues-crater-recent-slide/

- TOR: Raptors Need Time To Adjust To Siakam's Return (from Ryan Wolstat, Toronto Sun):  https://torontosun.com/sports/basketball/nba/toronto-raptors/wolstat-four-siakam-games-four-raptors-losses-everybody-relax

- TOR: Nurse Knows He Needs To Lengthen Bench For Aggressive Defense To Work (from Eric Koreen, The Athletic):  https://theathletic.com/2960560/2021/11/17/for-raptors-aggressive-defence-to-work-nick-nurse-knows-he-needs-to-lengthen-his-bench/

From Michael Grange, Sportsnet:  https://www.sportsnet.ca/nba/article/raptors-cant-rediscover-defensive-identity-playoff-hopes-will-fade-fast/

From Aaron Rose, Sports Illustrated: https://www.si.com/nba/raptors/news/toronto-raptors-defensive-struggles-over-aggressiveness

From Adam Laskaris, Daily Hive:  https://dailyhive.com/toronto/raptors-relying-on-starters-nba-team

- TOR: Where Did Raptors' 3-Point Attempts Go?  (from Louis Zatzman, Raptors Republic):  https://www.raptorsrepublic.com/2021/11/16/where-did-the-toronto-raptors-three-point-attempts-go/

- UTA: Takeaways From Win Over Sixers (from Andy Larsen, Salt Lake Tribune):  https://www.sltrib.com/sports/jazz/2021/11/17/triple-team-jazz-show/

From Ryan Kostecka, Jazz.com: https://www.nba.com/jazz/news/utah-responds-dominating-victory-over-philadelphia

- WAS: Avdija Has Become A Defensive Stopper (from Ava Wallace, Washington Post):  https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/11/16/deni-avdija-wizards-defensive-stopper/

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- Breakout Sophomores: 5 NBA Players Ready To Take The Leap (from Mike Schmitz, ESPN):  https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/32642427/nba-breakout-sophomores-five-players-ready-take-leap

- Panic Meter: Where 5 Underperforming Teams Check In (from ESPN):  https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/16/nba-stats-surprising/

- The All-5th Man Team (from Jared Dubin, Last Night In Basketball):  

The All-Fifth Man Team

-5 Surprising Stats (from Michael Shearer, Hoops Habit): https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/16/nba-stats-surprising/

- Weekly NBA Notebook (from Cole Huff, The Athletic):  https://theathletic.com/2959641/2021/11/16/cole-huffs-nba-notebook-the-key-to-the-warriors-hot-start-what-has-made-the-wizards-a-surprise-contender-and-more/

- G League Check-In (from Adam Spinella, The Box And One):  

G-League Check-In: November 2021

- Jason Terry Drives Revamped Grand Rapids Gold (from Pat Evans, Grand Rapids Magazine):  https://www.grmag.com/people-places/former-nba-player-terry-drives-revamped-grand-rapids-gold-in-nba-g-league/

- The NBL Stars On The NBA Radar (from Brad Winter, Herald Sun):  https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/basketball/finding-the-next-giddey-the-nbl-stars-on-nba-radar-aussie-and-foreign-stars-who-could-make-leap/news-story/e583c9158d902fad53480f288f3d2878

- Draft Prospects: The 1st Week Of College Ball (from Maxwell Baumbach, Baumboards):  

Prospect Conspectus, 11/16/2021: The First Week of College Basketball Edition

- Draft Prospect Watch (from Chad Ford, NBA Big Board):  

https://www.nbabigboard.com/p/prospect-watch-3-free

- Draft Prospect: Ismael Kamagate (from Tyler Rucker, No Ceilings): 

Foreign Relations: Ismael Kamagate

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FOUR YEARS AGO TODAY: from the BI archives:

http://basketballintelligence.net/2017/11/17/todays-best-nba-reporting-analysis-111717/