Basketball Intelligence For 12/3/21
Today's Best NBA Reporting And Analysis
- ATL: Huerter Has Made A Strong Case To Continue Starting (from Chris Kirschner, The Athletic): https://theathletic.com/2992558/2021/12/02/kevin-huerter-has-made-a-strong-case-to-continue-starting-even-when-the-hawks-are-fully-healthy/
- BKN: Patty Mills: The NBA's Model Role Player (from Nick Faris, The Score): https://www.thescore.com/nba/news/2240156
- BOS: Marcus Smart: Playmaking PG (from Adam Taylor, Celtics Blog): https://www.celticsblog.com/2021/12/2/22814102/marcus-smart-playmaking-point-guard-boston-celtics-philadelphia-76ers
- BOS: Tatum Is Becoming A Better Leader, Teammate & Playmaker (from Gary Washburn, Boston Globe): https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/12/02/sports/jayson-tatum-shows-off-ways-help-celtics-other-than-scoring-sign-his-unselfishness-growth-leader
- BOS: Can Rob Williams Revive The Celtics' Offense? (from Jared Weiss, The Athletic): https://theathletic.com/2994639/2021/12/03/rob-williams-lob-threat-returns-to-celtics-lineup-can-he-revive-the-offense/
- DAL: KP's Renewed Confidence, Resurgent Season (from Evan Sidery, Basketball News): https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/kristaps-porzingis-renewed-confidence-leading-to-resurgent-season-with-mavericks
- DAL: How Will New Starting Lineup Help The Mavs? (from Brad Townsend, Morning News): https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/mavericks/2021/12/02/how-will-new-starting-lineup-help-the-mavs-maybe-better-starts-and-definitely-more-bench-firepower/
- DEN: Film Study: Play Thru Aaron Gordon (from Gage Bridgford, Denver Stiffs): https://www.denverstiffs.com/2021/12/3/22815111/denver-nuggets-film-friday-play-through-aaron-gordon-nikola-jokic-michael-porter-facu-campazzo-mvp
- DET: Patience Key For Pistons' Rebuild (from Omari Sankofa II, Free Press): https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2021/12/03/phoenix-suns-blueprint-detroit-pistons-patience-rebuild/8848161002/
- DET: Cade-Killian Combo Gives Pistons Promise (from Keith Langlois, pistons.com): https://www.nba.com/pistons/news/cade-killian-combo-gives-pistons-promise-out-of-0-5-road-trip
- GSW: Takeaways From Dubs' November Performance (from Zach Buckley, Bleacher Report): https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2950945-3-takeaways-from-warriors-november-performance
- GSW: Q & A: Gary Payton II (from Kerith Burke, NBC Sports): https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/warriors/gary-payton-ii-qa-warriors-hot-start-looming-contract-guarantee-date
- GSW: Draymond, Andre's Mentoring Approach (from Taylor Wirth, NBC Sports): https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/warriors/draymond-green-andre-iguodalas-approach-warriors-young-stars
- HOU: John Wall Needs To Play, Whatever The Role (from David Aldridge, The Athletic): https://theathletic.com/2991225/2021/12/03/for-john-wall-to-get-back-in-the-game-he-needs-to-play-whatever-the-role-and-pick-a-rose/
- HOU: Garrison Matthews: Rockets' Surprise Spark (from Danielle Lerner, Houston Chronicle): https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/rockets/article/Garrison-Mathews-giving-Rockets-much-more-than-16670940.php
- LAC: Defensive Rebounds Have Become The Clippers' Kryptonite (from Sabreena Merchant, Clips Nation): https://www.clipsnation.com/2021/12/3/22813625/la-clippers-news-analysis-defensive-rebounds-kryptonite-transition
- LAC: Brandon Boston, Jr Eager To Put On A Show (from Mirjam Swanson, OC Register): https://www.ocregister.com/2021/12/02/clippers-rookie-brandon-boston-jr-eager-to-put-on-a-show/
- MIA: Weekly Observations (from Wes Goldberg, The Wes Side):
- MIL: Film Breakdown: The New Play (from Riley Feldman, Brew Hoop): https://www.brewhoop.com/2021/12/2/22813369/the-play-a-breakdown-milwaukee-bucks-mike-budenholzer-giannis-antetokounmpo
- ORL: Magic 1st Quarter MVP: Cole Anthony (from Philip Rossman-Reich, Orlando Magic Daily): https://orlandomagicdaily.com/2021/12/03/orlando-magic-first-quarter-mvp-facts-cole-anthony-was-really-good
- PHI: Embiid's Career Trajectory: From Good To Great (from Rich Hofmann, The Athletic): https://theathletic.com/2991825/2021/12/03/analyzing-joel-embiids-statistical-career-trajectory-with-sixers-the-process-from-good-to-great/
- PHI: The Sixers Need The Real Embiid To Return In A Hurry (from David Murphy, The INquirer): https://www.inquirer.com/sports/columnists/joel-embiid-covid-sixers-celtics-starting-lineup-20211203.html
- PHO: With Injuries Mounting, Suns' Bench Getting Tested (from Dave King, Bright Side Of The Sun): https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2021/12/3/22815764/with-injuries-mounting-phoenix-suns-deep-bench-getting-tested
- PHO How The Suns Brought Steph Down To Earth (from Scott Rafferty, Sporting News): https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/news/stephen-curry-mikal-bridges-suns-warriors/1sp30ix92gglrzkyiziy2xtc9
- POR: The Blazers Are A Bad Mix. What Now? (from Jason Quick, The Athletic): https://theathletic.com/2995322/2021/12/03/a-bad-mix-in-portland-chauncey-billups-a-flawed-roster-and-uncertain-leadership/
- POR: Blazers Fire Olshey After Workplace Inquiry (from ESPN): https://africa.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/32779100/portland-trail-blazers-fire-gm-president-basketball-operations-neil-olshey
From Dave Deckard, Blazer's Edge: https://www.blazersedge.com/2021/12/3/22767596/neil-olshey-latest-news-portland-trail-blazers-fired-allegations-toxic-workplace
- POR: Larry Nance Emerges (from Ben Ladner, The Step Back): https://fansided.com/2021/12/03/utah-jazz-rolls-larry-nance-trail-blazers
- POR: Home Vs Road: A Tale Of Two Blazers Teams (from Shady VHS, Roll Call Sports): https://rollcallsportsnet.com/a-tale-of-two-teams/
- SAS: How The Spurs Get Points In The Paint (from Jesus Gomez, Pounding The Rock): https://www.poundingtherock.com/2021/12/1/22812676/a-look-at-the-spurs-unusual-method-of-getting-points-in-the-paint
- SAS: Measuring The Spurs At The Season's Quarter Mark (from Jeff McDonald, Express News): https://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/Spurs-at-the-quarter-mark-16670452.php
- SAS: Thad Young Frustrated About His Role (from Alex Kennedy, Basketball News): https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/spurs-thad-young-frustrated-about-role-this-situation-is-not-ideal
- TOR: Barnes' Peaks Are Worth His Valleys (from Eric Koreen, The Athletic): https://theathletic.com/2995008/2021/12/03/scottie-barnes-peaks-are-well-worth-his-valleys
- UTA: Just Give Donovan Mitchell The Ball (from Jonathan Tjarks, The Ringer): https://www.theringer.com/nba/2021/12/3/22814751/donovan-mitchell-utah-jazz-mike-conley
From Deyscha Smith, SLAM: https://www.slamonline.com/the-magazine/donovan-mitchell-slam-235/
- UTA: The Jazz Are Quietly Rolling (from Ben Ladner, The Step Back): https://fansided.com/2021/12/03/utah-jazz-rolls-larry-nance-trail-blazers
- UTA: Azubuike Suffered An Ankle Subluxation. What Does That Mean? (from Sarah Todd, Deseret News): https://www.deseret.com/2021/12/2/22801494/udoka-azubuike-suffered-a-subluxation-of-the-ankle-what-does-that-mean-utah-jazz
- Zach Lowe's 10 Things (from ESPN): https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/32772511/lowe-10-things-ballet-jrue-holiday-shocker-toronto-cooking-cleveland
- What Can Shot Distribution Tell About Team Success? (from Ethan Fuller, Basketball News): https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/stats-notebook-what-can-shot-distribution-tell-us-about-team-success
- Are We At Peak 3-Pointers? (from JP Hwang, Visual Noise):
- 2022 Draft Prospects: Freshman Guards (from Adam Spinella, The Box And One):
- 2022 Draft Big Board (from Stephen Gillaspie, StephenGHoops):
From Hunter Cruse, Five-Out Hoops:
From Chad Ford, NBA Big Board:
- The NBA's Latest Trend Keeps Stars In Street Clothes & Demeans The Game (from Jerry Brewer, Washington Post): https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/12/03/john-wall-rockets-contract/
- NBL: The Viral Meltdown That Landed Chase Buford The Sydney Kings' HC Job (from Andrew Webster, Morning Herald): https://www.smh.com.au/sport/basketball/the-viral-meltdown-that-landed-chase-buford-the-job-as-sydney-kings-coach-20211203-p59ej5.html
- Book Review: Stever Kerr: A Life By Scott Howard-Cooper (from Ed Odeven, Nothing But Nylon): https://nothingbutnylon.com/steve-kerr-a-life/
- CHI 119, NYK 115:
From Darnell Mayberry, The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/2995235/2021/12/03/demar-derozan-takes-over-another-fourth-quarter-in-bulls-win-over-knicks/
From Kento Kato, Posting And Toasting: https://www.postingandtoasting.com/2021/12/3/22815452/bulls-119-knicks-115-knicks-played-great-for-three-quarters
From Jay Patt, Blog A Bull: https://www.blogabull.com/2021/12/2/22815147/bulls-vs-knicks-final-score-chicago-blows-21-point-lead-before-pulling-out-119-115-win-at-msg
From Peter Botte, NY Post: https://nypost.com/2021/12/02/knicks-referee-issue-continue-in-home-loss-to-bulls
From Stefan Bondy, Daily News: https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/ny-knicks-cant-come-back-against-bulls-20211203-tr7zf6x5cvhjlgfw3rim3oyara-story.html
From Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune: https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/chicago-bulls-e2-80-99-big-3-of-demar-derozan-zach-lavine-and-nikola-vu-c4-8devi-c4-87-deliver-in-a-119-115-victory-against-the-new-york-knicks/ar-AARpqWK
From Rob Schaefer, NBC Spots: https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/bulls/10-observations-bulls-big-3-prevails-thriller-over-knicks
- MEM 152, OKC 79:
From Joe Mussatto, The Oklahoman: https://www.oklahoman.com/story/sports/2021/12/02/thunder-vs-grizzlies-score-worst-loss-nba-history/8845839002/
From Evan Barnes, Commercial Appeal: https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/sports/nba/grizzlies/2021/12/03/memphis-grizzlies-vs-oklahoma-city-thunder-live-updates-score/8768364002/
From Drew Hill, Daily Memphian: https://dailymemphian.com/article/25696/73-points-grizzlies-set-nba-record-margin-of?taid=61a996439539f2000185cdc2
From KevinPelton, ESPN: https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/32774754/the-incredible-numbers-memphis-grizzlies-record-breaking-blowout-win-oklahoma-city-thunder
- PHO 114, DET 103:
From James Edwards II, The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/2994888/2021/12/03/eyes-on-cade-cunningham-a-full-game-keyed-on-the-pistons-no-1-pick/
From Aaron Kellerstrass, Piston Powered: https://pistonpowered.com/2021/12/03/good-news-bad-news-detroit-pistons-suns
From Steve Kornacki, Detroit News: https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2021/12/02/detroit-pistons-battle-back-second-half-fall-short-phoenix-suns/8836112002/
From Omari Sankofa II, Free Press: https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2021/12/03/detroit-pistons-second-half-rally-falls-short-phoenix-suns/8847172002/
From Duane Rankin, Arizona Republic: https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2021/12/03/5-takeaways-suns-franchise-setting-18th-consecutive-win-holding-off-pistons/8847351002/
From Kellan Olson, Arizona Sports: https://arizonasports.com/story/2919866/suns-use-balanced-scoring-attack-to-win-franchise-record-18th-straight/
- SAS 114, POR 83:
From Noah Magaro-George, Pounding The Rock: https://www.poundingtherock.com/2021/12/3/22815683/what-we-learned-from-the-spurs-win-over-the-trail-blazers
From Son Q. Trinh, Pounding The Rock: https://www.poundingtherock.com/2021/12/3/22815681/the-spurs-blitz-the-blazers-with-balanced-scoring-and-tough-defense
From Zachary Colwell, Pounding The Rock: https://www.poundingtherock.com/2021/12/3/22814942/spurs-win-their-third-straight-with-a-complete-display-against-the-trail-blazers
- TOR 97, MIL 93:
From Bradshaw Furlong, Behind The Buck Pass: https://behindthebuckpass.com/2021/12/03/3-takeaways-milwaukee-bucks-close-loss-toronto-raptors
From Louis Zatzman, Raptors Republic: https://www.raptorsrepublic.com/2021/12/03/pascal-siakam-and-scottie-barnes-star-together-against-the-bucks/
From Andrew Goodman, Brew Hoop: https://www.brewhoop.com/2021/12/3/22815279/milwaukee-vs-toronto-game-review-bucks-raptors-december-3-2021
From Mike Ganter, Toronto Sun: https://canoe.com/sports/basketball/nba/toronto-raptors/buck-stops-here-raptors-outlast-defending-champs-to-end-five-game-losing-skid/wcm/86dde18a-5c5f-4c41-b8b5-399658f35bd0
From Paul Attfield, Globe And Mail: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/basketball/article-raptors-end-bucks-hot-streak-and-snap-home-skid/
From Michael Grange, Sportsnet: https://www.sportsnet.ca/article/vanvleet-refuses-let-raptors-fall-bucks-explosive-performance/
From Jim Owczarski, Journal Sentinel: https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/nba/bucks/2021/12/03/milwaukee-bucks-vs-toronto-raptors-scotiabank-arena-game-score-updates/8835245002/
THREE YEARS AGO TODAY: from the BI archives:
http://basketballintelligence.net/2018/12/03/todays-best-nba-reporting-analysis-12318-2/
Thank you so much for featuring my Big Board!