Basketball Intelligence For 12/14/21

Today's Best NBA Reporting And Analysis

TEAM-SPECIFIC STORIES

- ATL: Hawks Need Serious Reflection After Collapse Against Rockets (from Chris Kirschner, The Athletic):  https://theathletic.com/3014828/2021/12/14/hawks-need-serious-reflection-after-collapse-against-rockets-its-the-way-were-losing/

From Sarah Spencer, AJC: https://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-hawks/weve-got-to-stay-connected-hawks-know-execution-in-fourth-quarter-must-improve/XTEJBXM4VVD6VIQVLWDAP46ECY/

- CLE: Analyzing Mobley's Elevated Play (from Kelsey Russo, The Athletic):  https://theathletic.com/3012910/2021/12/13/like-old-school-bill-russell-analyzing-evan-mobleys-elevated-play-with-cavs-assistant-greg-buckner-mobley-mondays/

- DEN: Nuggets Notebook (from Eric Spyropoulos, nuggets.com):  https://www.nba.com/nuggets/news/nuggets-notebook-121321#

-DEN: Markus Howard Seizes Chance (from Mike Singer, Denver Post):   Post:  https://www.denverpost.com/2021/12/12/markus-howard-nuggets-spurs-chance/

- GSW: Inside Steph's Path Toward 3-Point Supremacy (from Kirk Goldsberry, ESPN):  https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/32841526/inside-stephen-curry-path-3-point-supremacy

From James Boyd, Indy Star:  https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nba/pacers/2021/12/13/stephen-curry-seven-3-pointers-setting-nba-record/6498560001/

- LAC: Ibaka Is Healthy But Playing Time Wanes (from Mirjam Swanson, OC Register):  https://www.ocregister.com/2021/12/13/clippers-serge-ibaka-is-healthy-but-playing-time-wanes/

- LAL: THT Gaining Confidence Ahead Of Trade Season (from Kyle Goon, OC Register):  https://www.ocregister.com/2021/12/13/lakers-talen-horton-tucker-gaining-confidence-ahead-of-crucial-nba-trade-season

- MIA: Q & A: Max Strus (from Spencer Davies, Basketball News): https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/qa-max-strus-on-heats-nextman-up-mentality-building-confidence

- MIN: D'Angelo Has Become Indispensable (from Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic):  https://theathletic.com/3012485/2021/12/13/dangelo-russell-has-become-undeniably-indispensable-for-the-timberwolves/

From Jace Frederick, Pioneer Press: https://www.twincities.com/2021/12/13/dangelo-russell-effect-is-obvious-for-timberwolves/

- NYK: Kemba Was Not The Problem (from Mike Cortez, The Knicks Wall):  https://theknickswall.com/knicks-proved-kemba-walker-was-not-problem/

- PHI: Embiid Continues To Improve As 3-Point Shooter (from Keith Pompey, The INquirer):  https://www.inquirer.com/sixers/sixers-joel-embiid-doc-rivers-three-point-shooting-20211213.html

- POR: How Billups & The Blazers' GM's Lives Have Come Full Circle (from Jason Quick, The Athletic):  https://theathletic.com/3014806/2021/12/14/yo-where-is-joe-cronin-at-how-chauncey-billups-and-the-blazers-gms-lives-have-come-full-circle/

- SAS: Derrick White Is Looking Like Himself Again (from Jesus Gomez, Pounding The Rock):  https://www.poundingtherock.com/2021/12/13/22828814/derrick-white-is-finally-looking-like-himself-again

- UTAH: The Jazz's Week In Review (from Dan Clayton, Salt City Hoops):  https://saltcityhoops.com/sc7121321-rim-wreckers-5on5/

LEAGUE-WIDE STORIES

- How Do NBA Execs Approach Out Of Shape Players?  (from Michael Scotto, Hoops Hype):  https://hoopshype.com/lists/how-nba-executives-approach-overweight-players/

- The Week That Was (from John Hollinger, The Athletic):  https://theathletic.com/3013146/2021/12/13/cleveland-rocks-and-so-does-potential-no-1-draft-pick-jabari-smith-hollingers-week-that-was/

- What Is Holding Back Each Contender? (from Zach Buckley, Bleacher Report):  https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2951436-whats-holding-back-every-nba-contender

- Analyzing Luka Doncic, Dejounte Murray, Garrison Matthews (from Bryan Kalbrosky, Hoops Hype):  https://hoopshype.com/lists/nba-news-stats-luka-doncic-dejounte-murray-garrison-mathews/

- Each Team's MIP So Far This Season (from Zach Buckley, Bleacher Report):  https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2951304-every-nba-teams-most-improved-player-so-far-this-season

- Joe Young Is On A Mission To Get Back Into The NBA (from Alex Squadron, SLAM):  https://www.slamonline.com/the-magazine/joe-young-mission-get-back-in-the-nba/

- The 2021-22 All No-Trade Team (from Marc Stein/Keith Smith, The Stein Line):  

The 2021-22 All No-Trade Team

- Teams To Watch As Trade Season Opens (from Ben Golliver, Washington Post):  https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/12/13/nba-trades-buyers-sellers/

- George Gervin: The Iceman & Eastern Michigan (from Brendan Quinn, The Athletic):  https://theathletic.com/3011533/2021/12/14/the-iceman-and-eastern-michigan-how-one-of-basketballs-greatest-stars-ended-up-at-the-unlikeliest-place/

TAKEAWAYS FROM LAST NIGHT’S GAMES

- BOS 117, MIL 103:

  From Eric Nehm, The Athletic:  https://theathletic.com/3014946/2021/12/14/khris-middleton-injury-lousy-second-quarter-sink-bucks-in-loss-to-celtics-we-werent-at-our-best/

  From Bill Sy, Celtics Blog: https://www.celticsblog.com/2021/12/14/22833406/jaylen-brown-plays-big-role-in-big-win-over-milwaukee-bucks-boston-celtics-jayson-tatum-ime-udoka

  From Chris Mannix, Sports Illustrated: https://www.si.com/nba/2021/12/14/boston-celtics-mystery-jayson-tatum-jaylen-brown

  From Adam Himmelsbach, Boston Globe: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/12/13/sports/jayson-tatum-drops-42-points-bucks-celtics-snap-three-game-losing-streak-with-117-103-win/

  From Gary Washburn, Boston Globe: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/12/14/sports/celtics-finally-got-physical-refused-back-down-gritty-win/

  From Mark Murphy, Boston Herald: https://www.bostonherald.com/2021/12/13/tatum-scores-season-high-42-as-celtics-knock-off-bucks/

  From Jay King, The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/3015043/2021/12/14/after-confronting-all-their-issues-from-rough-road-trip-celtics-soar-past-bucks-in-jaylen-browns-return/

  From Souichi Terada, Mass Live: https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2021/12/four-takeaways-as-jaylen-brown-returns-celtics-beat-bucks-117-103-to-snap-losing-streak.html

  From Brian Robb, Mass Live:  https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2021/12/jaylen-browns-return-brings-celtics-biggest-trade-needs-into-focus-after-win-over-bucks-brian-robb.html

  From Tom Westerholm, Boston.com:  https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-celtics/2021/12/13/celtics-bucks-takeaways-jaylen-brown-return/

From Dalton Sell, Behind The Buck Pass: https://behindthebuckpass.com/2021/12/14/takeaways-milwaukee-bucks-gutting-loss-boston-celtics/

From Jim Owczarski, Journal Sentinel: https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/nba/bucks/2021/12/14/milwaukee-bucks-road-recap-khris-middleton-injures-knee-three-point-defense-suffers-nba/6504461001/

- CLE 105, MIA 94:

  From Ira Winderman, SunSentinel:  https://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/fl-sp-miami-heat-cleveland-cavaliers-20211214-5tf243qpkrgmjcskmkhli57w2y-story.html

- DAL 120, CHA 96:

  From Brad Townsend, Morning News: https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/mavericks/2021/12/13/fast-start-elite-shooting-help-mavs-snap-home-losing-streak-in-120-96-throttling-of-the-hornets/

- DEN 113, WAS 107:

  From Chase Hughes, NBC Sports):  https://www.nbcsports.com/washington/wizards/futile-wizards-comeback-masks-another-ugly-loss-denver-nuggets

  From Andrew Gillis, NBC Sports:  https://www.nbcsports.com/washington/wizards/wizards-trend-starting-slow-continues-loss-nuggets

  From Ava Wallace, Washington Post:  https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/12/13/wizards-nuggets-wes-unseld-jr/

  From Eric Spyropoulos, nuggets.com:  https://www.nba.com/nuggets/news/nuggets-wizards-121321

  From Kyle Fredrickson, Denver Post:  https://www.denverpost.com/2021/12/14/nikola-jokic-ejection-nuggets-wizards/

  From Mike Singer, Denver Post:  https://www.denverpost.com/2021/12/12/markus-howard-nuggets-spurs-chance/

- GSW 102, IND 100:

  From Anthony Slater, The Athletic:  https://theathletic.com/3014628/2021/12/14/five-observations-warriors-win-ugly-in-indianapolis-as-steph-curry-creeps-to-doorstep-of-record/

  From James Boyd, Indy Star:  https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nba/pacers/2021/12/13/pacers-vs-warriors-indiana-loses-curry-falls-just-short-3-point-record/6497417001/

  From Joe Viray, Golden State Of Mind:  https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2021/12/13/22833571/warriors-pacers-steph-curry-draymond-green-kevon-looney-domantas-sabonis-myles-turner-film-breakdown

  From Josh Schrock, NBC Sports: https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/warriors/brilliant-jonathan-kuminga-will-play-vital-warriors-role-down-stretch

- HOU 132, ATL 126:

  From Chris Kirschner, The Athletic:  https://theathletic.com/3014828/2021/12/14/hawks-need-serious-reflection-after-collapse-against-rockets-its-the-way-were-losing/

  From Sarah Spencer, AJC:  https://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-hawks/weve-got-to-stay-connected-hawks-know-execution-in-fourth-quarter-must-improve/XTEJBXM4VVD6VIQVLWDAP46ECY/

  From Jonathan Feigen, Houston Chronicle: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/rockets/article/A-shocking-comeback-with-a-veteran-jolt-16699919.php   and  https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/rockets/article/Rockets-pull-off-stunning-comeback-win-over-Hawks-16699805.php

  From Graham Capple, Peachtree Hoops:  https://www.peachtreehoops.com/2021/12/14/22833791/atlanta-hawks-houston-rockets-analysis-video-quotes-breakdown-collapse-loss-blown-lead-trae-young

- LAC 111, PHO 95:

  From Mirjam Swanson, OC Register:   https://www.ocregister.com/2021/12/13/clippers-beat-suns-in-playoff-rematch-of-short-handed-squads/

  From Andrew Greif, LA Times: https://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/story/2021-12-13/clippers-coast-past-suns-in-western-conference-final-rematch

  From Duane Rankin, Arizona Republic: https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/5-takeaways-from-suns-loss-to-clippers-without-devin-booker-and-deandre-ayton/ar-AARMZMh

- MEM 126, PHI 91:

  From Keith Pompey, The Inquirer: https://www.inquirer.com/sixers/sixers-76ers-grizzlies-best-worst-awards-20211214.html

- TOR 124, SAC 101:

  From Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee:  https://www.sacbee.com/sports/nba/sacramento-kings/article256577546.html  and  https://www.sacbee.com/article256570991.html

  From Joshua Howe, Clutch Points:  https://clutchpoints.com/raptors-news-scottie-barnes-lives-up-to-monster-defensive-expectations-vs-kings/

  From The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/news/kings-hold-players-only-meeting-after-embarrassing-loss-caps-off-winless-road-trip/OqjLNK3LNDPi/

FOUR YEARS AGO TODAY: from the BI Archives:

http://basketballintelligence.net/2017/12/14/todays-best-nba-reporting-analysis-121417-part-one/