Basketball Intelligence For 12/15/21

Today's Best NBA Reporting And Analysis

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TEAM-SPECIFIC STORIES

- ATL: His Trainer Tim Martin Tells Of Trae's Road To Greatness (from Pat Benson, Sports Illustrated):  https://www.si.com/nba/hawks/culture/trae-youngs-trainer-describes-road-to-nba

- CLE: Cavs Winning Games & Respect (from Tom Withers, AP):  https://apnews.com/article/nba-sports-cleveland-cavaliers-miami-heat-lebron-james-2a2c585ca858816b3f25871856548368

From Neil Paine, FiveThirtyEight:  https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-cavs-are-finally-winning-without-lebron/

From Terry Pluto, cleveland.com: https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/the-rise-of-kevin-love-is-a-symbol-of-cavs-rise-this-season-e2-80-93-terry-pluto-e2-80-99s-scribbles/ar-AARNBt4

- DAL: The Dissolution Of The Doncic- Carlisle Relationship (from Tim MacMahon, ESPN):  https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/32861454/luka-doncic-rick-carlisle-dissolution-their-relationship-comes-next-dallas-mavericks

- DAL: Josh Green Is Showing Progress (from Ryan Stone, Heavy):  https://heavy.com/sports/dallas-mavericks/young-wing-turning-heads-for-mavs/

From Josh Bowe, Mavs Moneyball: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2021/12/14/22833716/josh-green-is-doing-useful-things-dallas-mavericks

- DEN: The Nuggets Are Having Fun Again (from Tommy Knowlton, Denver Stiffs):  https://www.denverstiffs.com/2021/12/15/22836774/denver-nuggets-nba-nikola-jokic-aaron-gordon-monte-morris-playoffs-championship

- DET: Film Breakdown: Hamidou Diallo (from Bryce Simon, Detroit bad Boys):  https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2021/12/14/22832617/detroit-pistons-hamidou-diallo-film-dont-lie:  

- DET: Saddiq Bey Embracing Adversity Of Sophomore Slump (from Lauren Williams, MLive):  https://www.mlive.com/pistons/2021/12/pistons-saddiq-bey-embracing-the-adversity-of-recent-sophomore-slump.html

From Will Burchfield, 971TheTicket:  https://www.audacy.com/971theticket/sports/detroit-pistons/why-saddiq-bey-says-his-shooting-slump-is-good-for-me

- DET: Cunningham Growing Into Future Star (from Rod Beard, Detroit news):  https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2021/12/14/slowly-but-surely-cade-cunningham-looking-like-pistons-star-future/6506619001/

- GSW: Dubs' Defense Is On Another Level (from Ben Taylor, Thinking Basketball):  

- GSW: Steph Breaks The Record:

  From Howard Beck, Sports Illustrated:  https://www.si.com/nba/2021/12/15/stephen-curry-warriors-breaks-nba-three-point-record

  From Yaron Weitzman, Fox Sports:  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nba/steph-curry-in-breaking-3-point-record-has-transformed-the-nba-game

  From Anthony Slater, The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/3016844/2021/12/15/inside-steph-currys-record-breaking-3-point-night-in-madison-square-garden/

  From Connor Letourneau. SF Chronicle: https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/warriors/article/Steph-Curry-just-broke-Ray-Allen-s-NBA-3-point-16702419.php

  From Monte Poole, NBC Sports: https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/warriors/steph-currys-nba-3-point-record-meaningful-anyone-ever-doubted-rejected

  From Ben Cohen, Wall Street Journal: https://www.wsj.com/articles/stephen-curry-3-point-record-nba-ray-allen-11639431348

  From Scott Cacciola, NY Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/14/sports/basketball/steph-curry-three-pointer-ray-allen.html

  From Shane Young, Forbes: https://www.forbes.com/sites/shaneyoung/2021/12/14/stephen-currys-3-point-record-is-only-part-of-what-makes-him-a-legendary-talent/?sh=7dff6daa71a2

- HOU: Sengun Looking More & More Like Rockets' Cornerstone (from Rahat Huq, Chron.com):  https://www.chron.com/sports/rockets/article/Alperen-Sengun-rookie-of-year-Houston-Rockets-time-16697617.php

- LAC: Clippers Could Have Role Reversal In Rematch With Jazz (from Andrew Greif, LA Times):  https://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/story/2021-12-14/clippers-small-ball-lineup-vs-center-utah-jazz

From Mirjam Swanson, OC Register: https://www.ocregister.com/2021/12/14/clippers-take-business-like-approach-into-game-vs-utah-jazz/

- LAL: Is REM Sleep The Key To LBJ's Longevity? (from Dr. Rajpal Brar, Silver Screen And Roll):  https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2021/12/15/22833551/lebron-james-longevity-key-rem-sleep-goat-lakers-video-medical-analysis

- LAL: Austin Reaves' Persistence Pays Off (from Mirin Fader, The Ringer):  https://www.theringer.com/nba/2021/12/15/22831178/austin-reaves-los-angeles-lakers-newark-arkansas

- MIA: Q & A: Duncan Robinson (from Barry Jackson, Miami Herald):  https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/barry-jackson/article256472841.html

- MIL: Bucks Weekly Wrapup (from Adam Paris, Brew Hoop):  https://www.brewhoop.com/2021/12/15/22833255/milwaukee-bucks-weekly-wednesday-wrap-up-december-15-2021

- MIL: The Challenge Of Surviving Injuries & COVID- Related Absences (from Eric Nehm, The Athletic):  https://theathletic.com/3017080/2021/12/15/without-giannis-antetokounmpo-the-bucks-face-a-whole-new-set-of-obstacles-in-their-nba-title-defense/

- MIN: Why Isn't Anthony Edwards A Better Finisher? (from Lucas Seehafer, Canis Hoopus):  https://www.canishoopus.com/2021/12/14/22834338/anthony-edwards-isnt-good-finisher-rim-perplexing

- MIN: Wolves Starting Lineup Picks Up Where It Left Off (from Chris Hine, Star Tribune):  https://www.startribune.com/timberwolves-starting-lineup-picks-up-where-it-left-off/600127145/

- NYK: McBride Offers Hope (from Alder Almo, Empire Sports Media):  https://empiresportsmedia.com/new-york-knicks/curry-reminds-knicks-of-what-they-missed-but-mcbride-offers-hope/

- NYK: Fournier Not At Fault For Knicks' Defensive Issues (from Zamir Bueno, Hoops Habit):  https://hoopshabit.com/2021/12/14/evan-fournier-new-york-knicks-issues/

- NYK: The Knicks Aren't Just Losing; They've Lost Themselves (from Mike Vorkunov, The Athletic):  https://theathletic.com/3016987/2021/12/15/the-knicks-arent-just-losing-theyve-lost-themselves-and-defeat-against-warriors-demonstrates-how/

- OKC: The Curious Case Of Gabriel Deck (from Ben Creider, Sports Illustrated):  https://www.si.com/nba/thunder/news/stuck-in-a-shell-the-curious-case-of-gabriel-deck

- ORL: Q & A: Cole Anthony (from Michael Scotto, Hoops Hype):  https://hoopshype.com/lists/qa-cole-anthony-on-most-improved-player-candidacy-future-of-the-magic-and-more/

- PHO: Ayton's Immense Pick-And-Roll Growth (from Gerald Bourguet, PHNX):  https://gophnx.com/2021/12/15/bourguet-breakdown-deandre-ayton-growth-suns-pick-roll/

- PHO: Suns Centers Flying High (from Dave King, Bright Side Of The Sun):  https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2021/12/15/22829035/phoenix-suns-centers-flying-high-from-ayton-to-stix-javale-mcgee-kaminsky-jalen-smith

- POR: Lillard Delivers Message To Teammates (from Jason Quick, The Athletic):  https://theathletic.com/3017374/2021/12/15/damian-lillard-stands-before-the-trail-blazers-and-delivers-message-we-will-not-fold/

- UTA: Do The Jazz Need To Make A Deal? (from Dan Clayton, Salt City Hoops/Salt Lake Tribune):  https://www.sltrib.com/sports/jazz/2021/12/15/do-utah-jazz-need-make/

- UTA: O'Neale Is The 'Pulse' Of The Jazz (from Eric Walden, Salt Lake Tribune):  https://www.sltrib.com/sports/jazz/2021/12/15/despite-being-quiet/

LEAGUE-WIDE STORIES

- What The Schedule Tells Us About Who Is Real & Who Is Not This Season (from Zach Kram, The Ringer): https://www.theringer.com/nba/2021/12/15/22837029/los-angeles-lakers-cleveland-cavaliers-nba-surprises

- Evaluating What We've Learned So Far This Season (from Seth Partnow, The Athletic): https://theathletic.com/3003170/2021/12/15/disappointing-knicks-surging-cavs-and-stagnant-mavericks-evaluating-what-weve-learned-so-far-this-nba-season/

- Updated Rookie Rankings (from Jasmyn Wimbish, CBS Sports):  https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-rookie-rankings-evan-mobley-scottie-barnes-have-block-parties-franz-wagner-shows-off-passing-skills/

- 2022 Draft Prospects: Freshmen Sleepers (from Chad Ford, NBA Big Board):  

https://www.nbabigboard.com/p/2022-prospect-watch-6-free

- 2022 Draft: Updated 1st Round Predictions (from Jonathan Wasserman, Bleacher Report):  https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2951341-2022-nba-mock-draft-updated-1st-round-predictions

- NBA Says It Will 'Follow The Science' As COVID Cases Rise (from Scott Cacciola, NY Times):  https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/14/sports/basketball/nba-covid.html

TAKEAWAYS FROM LAST NIGHT'S GAMES

- BKN 131, TOR 129 (OT):

  From Steve Lichtenstein, Steve's Newsletter: 

KD Wills Shorthanded Nets To Improbable OT Victory

  From Tim Bontemps, ESPN:  https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/32866389/kevin-durant-carries-nets-ot-win-brooklyn-covid-19-protocols-list-grows-seven

  From Alex Schiffer, The Athletic:  https://theathletic.com/3017181/2021/12/15/eight-players-one-unlikely-win-short-handed-nets-beat-raptors-in-overtime/

  From Steven Loung, Sportsnet: https://www.sportsnet.ca/nba/article/raptors-fall-shorthanded-nets-ot-season-frustration-continues/

  From Kristian Winfield, Daily News: https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/nets/ny-nets-win-raptors-20211215-n2qxuoprabefnh7pqnxpks77nq-story.html

- GSW 105, NYK 96:

  From Connor Letourneau, SF Chronicle: https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/warriors/article/Warriors-defense-does-the-heavy-lifting-in-win-16702673.php

- PHO 111, POR 107:

  From Duane Rankin, Arizona Republic:  https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2021/12/15/5-takeaways-suns-ot-win-over-blazers-chris-paul-delivering-late/8903254002/

  From Kellan Olson, Arizona Sports: https://arizonasports.com/story/2936077/chris-paul-deandre-ayton-will-suns-to-ot-victory-vs-blazers/

  From Aaron Fentress, Oregon Live:  https://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2021/12/portland-trail-blazers-lose-6th-game-in-a-row-falling-to-phoenix-suns-in-overtime.html

FOUR YEARS AGO TODAY: from the BI archives:

http://basketballintelligence.net/2017/12/15/todays-best-nba-reporting-analysis-121517/