Basketball Intelligence For 12/13/21

Today's Best NBA Reporting And Analysis

- BKN: Nets Thoughts From The Road (from Alex Schiffer, The Athletic):  https://theathletic.com/3012742/2021/12/13/nets-thoughts-from-the-road-the-durant-harden-dynamic-patty-mills-and-defense/

- BOS: A Statistical Look At The Celtics' 1st 27 Games (from Adam Spinella, Celtics Blog)):  https://www.celticsblog.com/2021/12/13/22831177/statistical-look-at-boston-celtics-first-27-games-ime-udoka-jayson-tatum-jaylen-brown-brad-stevens

- BOS: What Comes Next After Disappointing Road Trip? (from Adam Himmelsbach, Boston Globe):  https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/12/11/sports/what-comes-next-celtics-after-disappointing-1-4-road-trip/

- CLE: Keys To Cavs' Resurgence (from Tony Pesta, Hoops Habit):  https://hoopshabit.com/2021/12/13/reasons-cleveland-cavaliers-resurgence/

From Michael Arace, Columbus Dispatch:  https://www.dispatch.com/story/sports/nba/2021/12/13/young-cleveland-cavaliers-one-biggest-surprises-nba-season/6480216001/

- DEN: The Nuggets Have To Rely On Jokic (from Ryan Blackburn, Denver Stiffs):  https://www.denverstiffs.com/2021/12/13/22831830/nikola-jokic-has-earned-the-right-to-be-selfish

From Kyle Irving, Sporting News: https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/news/nikola-jokic-case-to-repeat-nba-mvp/4hmcj202q32410i9tr89wraze

- DEN: Hyland Is Winning Over Fans (from Alex Kennedy, Basketball News):  https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/nuggets-bones-hyland-winning-over-fans-youre-gonna-fall-in-love

- DET: NBA Stars, Coaches Weigh In On Cade Cunningham (from James Edwards III, The Athletic):  https://theathletic.com/3010773/2021/12/13/hes-going-to-be-a-problem-nba-stars-coaches-weigh-in-on-cade-cunningham/

- DET: Saben Lee Shows Potential (from Omari Sankofa II, Free Press):  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2021/12/13/detroit-pistons-saben-lee-g-league-brooklyn-nets/6490082001/

- GSW: Q & A: Scott Howard-Cooper, Author Of 'Steve Kerr: A Life' (from Ed Odeven, Nothing But Nylon): https://nothingbutnylon.com/a-conversation-with-scott-howard-cooper/

- HOU: Rockets Hoping To Grow After Following Skid With Streak (from Kristie Rieken, AP):  https://www.basketballnews.com/breakingnews/rockets-hoping-to-grow-after-following-skid-with-streak

- LAC: Going Gets Tougher Against Suns, Jazz (from Mirjam Swanson, OC Reister):  https://www.ocregister.com/2021/12/12/for-clippers-going-gets-tougher-against-phoenix-suns-utah-jazz/

- LAL: Reaves Has Earned A Spot In The Rotation (from Cooper Halpern, Silver Screen And Roll):  https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2021/12/12/22829590/austin-reaves-earned-spot-lakers-rotation-frank-vogel-minutes-stats-thunder

- MEM: Helping Kyle Anderson Get His Groove Back (from Parker Fleming, Grizzly Bear Blues):  https://www.grizzlybearblues.com/2021/12/13/22831025/helping-kyle-anderson-get-his-groove-back-returning-to-the-starting-lineup-memphis-grizzlies-nba

- MEM: Tenacious Tyus Jones (from Shawn Coleman, Grizzly Bear Blues):  https://www.grizzlybearblues.com/2021/12/13/22824924/the-tenacious-tyus-jones-memphis-grizzlies-nba

- MIN: Edwards' Decreased Efficiency No Cause For Alarm (from Chris Hine, Star Tribune):  https://www.startribune.com/anthony-edwards-decreased-efficiency-no-cause-for-alarm-to-timberwolves/600126484

- NOP: Pels' Guard Play: As Inconsistent As Ever (from William Guillory, The Athletic):  https://theathletic.com/3013043/2021/12/13/the-pelicans-remade-their-backcourt-last-summer-but-their-guard-play-this-season-has-been-as-inconsistent-as-ever/

- NYK: Knicks' Weekend Recap/Reality Check (from Jonathan Macri, Knicks Film School):  

Reality Check

- PHI: Thybulle's Defensive Prowess (from Keith Pompey, The Inquirer):  https://www.inquirer.com/sixers/matisse-thybulle-defense-sixers-steph-curry-sixers-warriors-20211212.html

- SAS: Brothers Pushed Tre Jones Into Becoming 'Ultimate Competitor' (from Tom Orsborn, Express News):  https://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/Brothers-pushed-Spurs-Tre-Jones-into-becoming-16696741.php

- TOR: It Has Been A Big Week For Justin Champagnie (from Mike Ganter, Toronto Sun):  https://torontosun.com/sports/basketball/nba/toronto-raptors/ganter-it-has-been-a-big-week-for-raptors-justin-champagnie

From Doug Smith, Toronto Star: https://www.thestar.com/sports/raptors/2021/12/12/the-raptors-are-having-their-champagnie-moments-and-more-often-than-expected.html

- UTA: The Jazz Aced Their Road Trip (from Sarah Todd, Deseret News):  https://www.deseret.com/2021/12/12/22828869/the-utah-jazzs-four-game-trip-was-going-to-be-a-tough-test-and-they-aced-it-seven-straight-wins

- UTA: Gobert Is Among League Leaders In Avoiding Injury (from Andy Larsen, Salt Lake Tribune):  https://www.sltrib.com/sports/jazz/2021/12/13/utah-jazz-center-rudy/

LEAGUE-WIDE STORIES:

- The Top ROY Candidates (from Ian Levy, The Step Back):  https://fansided.com/2021/12/13/power-ranking-nba-best-rookies

- Each Team's Best Offseason Addition (from The Score):  https://www.thescore.com/nba/news/2242112

- 7 Observations (from Kevin O'Connor, The Ringer):  https://www.theringer.com/nba/2021/12/13/22831783/nba-trade-deadline-utah-jazz-boston-celtics

- What Net Ratings Say About Each Team (from Zach Harper, The Athletic):  https://theathletic.com/3003205/2021/12/13/nba-power-rankings-suns-stay-on-top-bucks-are-now-contenders-and-what-net-ratings-say-about-all-30-teams/

- Oral History: CP3 To The Clippers, Not The Lakers (from Andrew Greif, LA Times):  https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2021-12-13/chris-paul-trade-anniversary-lakers-nba-vetoed-clippers-david-stern

- Video Breakdown: Top 10 2022 Draft Prospects (from Adam Spinella, The Box And One):  

- 2022 Draft Prospects: Weekend Update (from Adam Spinella, The Box And One):  

Weekend Update: Jabari & The Returners

-2022 Draft Prospect Kennedy Chandler (from Jake Rosen, The Stepien):  https://www.thestepien.com/2021/12/12/the-door-is-open-for-kennedy-chandler/

TAKEAWAYS FROM YESTERDAY'S GAMES

- BKN 116, DET 104:

  From Keith Langlois, pistons.com: https://www.nba.com/pistons/news/pistons-begin-life-without-grant-fade-in-fourth

  From Omari Sankofa II, Free Press: https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2021/12/12/detroit-pistons-game-recap-brooklyn-nets-kevin-durant-51/6488374001/

  From Rod Beard, Detroit News: https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2021/12/12/nets-kevin-durant-overpower-undermanned-pistons/6485233001/

  From Lauren Williams, MLive: https://www.mlive.com/pistons/2021/12/pistons-adjustments-light-offensive-spark-but-fizzles-with-fourth-quarter-miscues.html

  From Kristian Winfield, NY Daily News: https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/kevin-durant-scores-51-in-win-vs-pistons-but-the-nets-need-another-backup-point-guard/ar-AARKjzU

From Chris Milholen, Nets Daily: https://www.netsdaily.com/2021/12/12/22831229/kevin-durant-scores-nba-season-high-51-as-nets-take-down-pistons-116-104

- DAL 103, OKC 84:

  From Joe Mussatto, The Oklahoman:  https://www.oklahoman.com/story/sports/2021/12/12/thunder-vs-mavericks-score-nba-game-recap-takeaways/6487973001/

  From Callie Caplan, Dallas Morning News: https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/mavericks/2021/12/12/halle-no-luka-mavericks-win-first-game-without-superstar-doncic-in-four-tries/

- LAL 106, ORL 94:

   From Bill Oram, The Athletic:  https://theathletic.com/3012988/2021/12/13/lebron-james-finding-joy-through-hustle-as-lakers-learn-what-it-means-to-play-hard/

  From Dan Woike, LA Times: https://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/story/2021-12-13/lebron-james-goes-nuclear-five-takeaways-from-lakers-win-over-magic   and  https://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/story/2021-12-12/lebron-james-fuels-lakers-third-quarter-orlando-magic-nba

  From Garrett Townsend, SBNation: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/lakers-106-magic-94-road-trip-ends-with-a-thud-as-the-magic-get-dumped-in-los-angeles/ar-AARKuFm

  From Kyle Goon, OC Register: https://www.ocregister.com/2021/12/12/lebron-james-stars-with-two-way-effort-as-lakers-knock-out-magic/

  From Philip Rossman-Reich, Orlando Magic Daily):  https://orlandomagicdaily.com/2021/12/13/orlando-magic-struggle-find-pace-pressure/

- MIL 112, NYK 97:

  From Jim Owczarski, Journal Sentinel:  https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/bucks-112-knicks-97-a-hot-hand-from-khris-middleton-and-balanced-scoring-are-key/ar-AARJR8a

  From Dalton Sell, Behind The Buck Pass: https://behindthebuckpass.com/2021/12/13/takeaways-milwaukee-bucks-double-digit-win-new-york-knicks/

  From Stefan Bondy, NY Daily News: https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/knicks-get-whooped-by-bucks-kemba-walker-not-part-of-forced-lineup-shakeup/ar-AARK9aA

  From Marc Berman, NY Post: https://nypost.com/2021/12/12/knicks-kemba-walker-catastrophe-keeps-looking-worse

- MIN 116, POR 111:

  From Chris Hine, Star Tribune: https://www.startribune.com/dangelo-russells-return-helps-wolves-top-portland-116-111-end-losing-streak-at-five/600126515  and  https://www.startribune.com/timberwolves-defense-karl-anthony-towns-anthony-edwards/600126544

  From Casey Holdahl, Blazers.com: https://www.nba.com/blazers/news/trail-blazers-lose-it-fourth-versus-timberwolves

  From Aaron Fentress, oregon Live: https://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2021/12/damian-lillard-returns-but-portland-trail-blazers-fall-to-minnesota-for-5th-loss-in-a-row.html

- SAS 112, NOP 97:

  From Jesus Gomez, Pounding The Rock:  https://www.poundingtherock.com/2021/12/12/22831393/spurs-bounce-back-with-no-frills-win-against-the-pelicans

  From Christian Clark, The Advocate: https://www.nola.com/sports/pelicans/article_aa0e2adc-5ba6-11ec-98f6-1317de3ea2d5.html

  From Jeff McDonald, Express News: https://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/The-triple-take-Spurs-112-Pelicans-97-16696950.php

THREE YEARS AGO TODAY: from the BI archives:

http://basketballintelligence.net/2018/12/13/todays-best-nba-reporting-analysis-121318/