Basketball Intelligence For 3/14/23,PART TWO

Today's Best NBA Reporting And Analysis

Mar 14

TEAM-SPECIFIC STORIES

BKN: 3 reasons Mikal Bridges is the Brooklyn Nets’ next star
Elaine Blum, Hoops Habit

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BOS: The Celtics thought they could flip a switch and win at the end. Instead, they lost to one of the NBA’s worst teams
Adam Himmelsbach, Boston Globe

BOS: Damon Stoudamire bids a reluctant goodbye to Celtics, but this was a chance he couldn’t pass up
Adam Himmelsbach, Boston Globe

DAL: Film Room: How Mavs' Jaden Hardy Showed Growth in First NBA Start
Grant Afseth, Sports Illustrated

DAL: Mavs fall below .500 with 2nd straight loss to Grizzlies, but Jason Kidd preaches patience
Brad Townsend, Morning News

DET: Omoruyi wins a job by oozing the ‘nitty-gritty’ Pistons culture
Keith Langlois, pistons.com

GSW: Film Breakdown: How well-executed set plays ignited the Klay Thompson explosion against the Suns
Joe Viray, Golden State Of Mind

HOU: NBA now seeing 'real' version of Jabari Smith Jr.
Michael Shapiro, Houston Chronicle

IND: Jackson imposes will in Pacers' Saturday win over Pistons
Mike Curtis, Detroit News

IND: Why the Pacers benefitted from resting starters (and losing) in Detroit
Dustin Dopirak, Indy Star

IND: Short-handed Pacers lose rematch with undermanned Pistons
Dustin Dopirak, Indy Star

MEM: 3 observations about Taylor Jenkins’ new 9-man rotation
Parker Fleming, Bluff City Media

MEM: Film: Breaking down David Roddy’s big night
Parker Fleming, Bluff City Media

MIA: Takeaways from another close Heat win
David Wilson, Miami Herald

MIA: How Kyle Lowry and Gabe Vincent can coexist as the Heat’s twin point guards
David Wilson, Miami Herald

MIL: Brook Lopez’s rim-protecting, shot-rejecting, Giannis-defending performance
Eric Nehm, The Athletic

NOP: Trey Murphy kickstarts Pelicans’ Play-In hopes and reminds us how far he’s come
William Guillory, The Athletic

PHI: Springer showcasing growth in his second year
Harrison Grimm, Liberty Ballers

PHI: Multiple Sixers impressed with Jaden Springer's defensive instincts
Ky Carlin, USA Today

PHO: Durant’s deep connection to Prince George’s County shines with Suns
Kellan Olson, Arizona Sports

PHO: Ayton says he's regaining his shooting rhythm
Dana Scott, Arizona Republic

SAC: Why Mike Brown looked like the NBA’s Coach of the Year this weekend
Sam Amick, The Athletic

TOR: Disappointing road trip took its toll on Siakam, Raptors
Josh Lewenberg, TSN

TOR: Raptors need Siakam to play like one of the NBA's best
Michael Grange, Sportsnet

UTA: Could THT Be Core, Dissecting Agbaji, Standings Watch & More
Dan Clayt0n, Salt City Hoops

WAS: From Sydney to Washington: Can Xavier Cooks make magic with the Wizards?
Jacob Doole, The Pick And Roll

LEAGUE-WIDE STORIES

The Week That Was
John Hollinger, The Athletic

Future Rankings: Which teams will accomplish the most in the next five years?
Yossi Gozlan, Hoops Hype

Five of this season's happiest surprises
Mike Shearer, Basketball Poetry

SGA just keeps getting better. You’ll hear people, including me, describe him as “slithery” or “slippery,” but those adjectives obscure the very real athleticism underneath. Shai’s explosive first step and ability to stop on a dime are the subtle knives opening up tiny cracks in the space around him, creating just enough room for a finger-roll or high-arcing half-hook. It’s a distinctive style all his own.
SGA’s done all this without relying upon a three-point shot (from himself or others, at least until Isaiah Joe arrived) or the help of a mammoth screen-setter. Imagine what he could do with a better offensive infrastructure around him.

These Players Can Make a Difference on the Fringes of Postseason Play
Chris Herring, Sports Illustrayed