Basketball Intelligence for 1/23/2023

Featuring our first big trade!

Jan 23

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League-Wide Stories

LeBron James is looking to become the NBA's all-time leading scorer; who were the others?
Dave McMenamin, ESPN

2023 NBA trade deadline: Grades for every deal
ESPN+

Per 36 minutes, [Hachimura’s] averaged just 1.1 combined steals and blocks this season, putting him 309th among the 369 players with at least 250 minutes. Hachimura is also a below-average defensive rebounder and playmaker for a combo forward, leaving him highly dependent on scoring to create value (13 PPG).

Rui Hachimura trade grades: Who won the deal between the Lakers and Wizards?
Bryan Kalbrosky, USA Today

Last season, the former No. 9 overall pick was 47.0 percent on catch-and-shoot 3-pointers for the Wizards.

The 24 Players Who Deserve to Make the 2023 NBA All-Star Game
Michael Pina, The Ringer

NBA Power Rankings: Sixers are surging; All-Star Weekend candidates for all 30 teams
Zach Harper, The Athletic

Tough enough? Darvin Ham, Chauncey Billups on changing times in injury prevention
Kyle Goon, Los Angeles Daily News

When asked by a reporter how often he rolls his eyes at a player’s reason for missing a game, Billups was not afraid to take a big shot: “Probably … a lot. A lot. A lot, for sure. A lot.” Added Billups: “I never say I would have played through that. But I’d say I did play through that. Not ‘I would’; ‘I did.’ But that’s just what it was. That’s just how it was, the game was totally different.”

Suns’ Jae Crowder trade dilemma; Grizzlies’ and Pacers’ deadline decisions
John Hollinger, The Athletic

Yesterday’s Games

OKC 101, DEN 99

Thunder Earns Hard-Fought Win
Nick Gallo/Paris Lawson, NBA.com

Denver Nuggets lose 101-99 to Oklahoma City Thunder snapping nine-game win streak
Ryan Blackburn, Mile High Sports

MEM 110, PHO 112

5 takeaways as Phoenix Suns hold off Memphis Grizzlies in Chris Paul's return
Duane Rankin, Arizona Republic

Memphis Grizzlies trail by as many as 29 in two-point loss to Phoenix Suns
Damichael Cole, Memphis Commercial Appeal

BKN 120, GSW 116

Warriors’ big names struggle again in the clutch, blow 17-point lead against Nets
Anthony Slater, The Athletic

Vaughn’s Trust In Claxton Despite Free Throw Woes Pays Off In Nets’ Stunning Win Over Warriors
Steve Lichtenstein, Steve’s Newsletter

Kyrie Irving scores 38 and Nic Claxton has a career night as Nets top Warriors
Alex Schiffer, The Athletic

LAL 121, POR 112

LeBron James scores 37 points as Lakers rally in wild comeback over Portland
Dan Woike, Los Angeles Time

Portland Trail Blazers blow 25-point halftime lead, lose 121-112 to Los Angeles Lakers
Aaron Fentress, The Oregonian

Team-Specific Stories

BOS: Boston’s new (and old) starting lineup could cause clutter at the guard position
Jack Simone, Celtics Blog

Smart is the clear-cut starter, but past that, Derrick White and Malcolm Brogdon will both need ample opportunities as well. Up to this point in the season, all three have been able to see plenty of playing time, as White has been a part of the starting lineup. But now, things will have to change.

BOS: The Celtics think deep when it comes to shooting. Just look at Grant Williams.
Julian Benbow, Boston Globe

BOS: NBA Notebook: Warriors noticed the Malcolm Brogdon difference for Celtics
Bobby Manning, Boston Sports Journal

CHA: Let’s Fly: Jalen McDaniels Playing With Versatility, Balance On Both Ends
Sam Perley, NBA.com

CHI: NBA landscape to change as teams chase the Victor Wembanyama dream
Joe Cowley, Chicago Sun-Times

DEN: Nikola Jokić is amazing (again), but Jamal Murray’s journey is key for Nuggets’ title hopes
Sam Amick, The Athletic

MIN: Foul trouble, top to bottom, is an issue the Wolves can't seem to outrun
Chris Hine, Star Tribune

NYK: Wheels Falling Off?
Jonathan Macri, Knicks Film School

PHI: Sixers give love to Georges Niang after a very successful road trip
Ky Carlin, SixersWire

PHI: Shorthanded victory over Sacramento Kings shows Sixers are legitimate contenders
Keith Pompey, Philadelphia Inquirer

PHO: Stephen’s Study: Efforts-galore drives the Suns to an all-impressive, gritty win
Stephen Pridgeon-Garner, Bright Side of the Sun

POR: Rip City rewind: Blazers' lack of size a factor, still staying in the hunt
Austin White, Portland Tribune