Basketball Intelligence For 8/17/21

Today's Best NBA Reporting And Analysis

NEWS AND NOTES

-  DAL: Can A Healthy KP Regain His Ability To Rim-Protect? (from Xavier Santos, Mavs Money Ball): https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2021/8/16/22618945/the-issue-isnt-kristaps-porzingis-offense-its-his-defense

- DAL Mavericks Notebook (from Tim Cato, The Athletic):  https://theathletic.com/2768084/2021/08/16/mavericks-notebook-lauri-markkanen-interest-summer-league-analysis-insight-on-new-gm-nico-harrison

- HOU: Jalen Green's Fresno Upbringing Motivates Him To Prove People Wrong (from Chris Haynes, Yahoo Sports): https://sports.yahoo.com/jalen-green-fresno-upbringing-motivates-him-to-prove-people-wrong-just-not-in-detroit-173846356.html

- IND: It Is Only Fitting That Carlisle & The Pacers Are Together Again (from Jon Krawczynski/Bob Kravitz, The Athletic): https://theathletic.com/2685587/2021/08/17/turmoil-is-no-stranger-to-rick-carlisle-and-the-pacers-which-is-why-its-only-fitting-theyre-together-again/

- MIN: Q & A: Chris Finch (from Britt Robson, The Athletic): https://theathletic.com/2771704/2021/08/16/wolves-coach-chris-finch-qa-on-his-background-coaching-style-best-utilizing-kat-anthony-edwards-jaden-mcdaniels

- PHI: Can Paul Reed Fill A Crucial Role For Sixers? (from Paul Hudrick, Liberty Ballers): https://www.libertyballers.com/2021/8/16/22627067/paul-reed-summer-league-sixers-stretch-five

- SAC: Kings Look To Reap Benefit Of Davion Mitchell's Hard Work (from Jason Jones, The Athletic): https://theathletic.com/2773821/2021/08/16/kings-look-to-reap-benefits-of-davion-mitchells-hard-work-at-baylor/

- TOR: What To Make Of The Raptors' Offense (from Jai Guruprasad, Raptors Republic):  https://www.raptorsrepublic.com/2021/08/17/what-should-we-make-of-the-raptors-offense/

- TOR: Nurse Has A Plan To Build National Team Continuity (from Michael Grange, Sportsnet):   https://www.sportsnet.ca/olympics/article/nurse-returning-canadas-coach-sights-set-qualifying-paris-games/

From Mike Ganter, Toronto Sun: https://torontosun.com/sports/basketball/nurse-re-ups-with-team-canada-and-lays-out-a-plan-for-paris-2024

- Each Team's Offseason Grade (from Colin Ward-Heninnger, CBS Sports): https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-offseason-grades-lakers-knicks-warriors-do-well-in-free-agency-blazers-pelicans-bring-down-curve/

---

SUMMER LEAGUE

- ATL: Final SL Takeaways (from Joshua Buckhalter, Soaring Down South): https://soaringdownsouth.com/2021/08/17/atlanta-hawks-final-takeaways-encouraging-summer-league

- CHI: How The Bulls Pushed Patrick Williams’ Offensive Evolution In SL (from Spencer Davies, Basketball News): https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/chicago-bulls-evolved-patrick-williams-offensive-game-at-nba-summer-league

- CLE: Cavs' SL Observations (from Chris Fedor, cleveland.com):  https://www.cleveland.com/cavs/2021/08/evan-mobley-looks-as-advertised-and-lamar-stevens-believes-he-belongs-cleveland-cavaliers-summer-league-observations.html

- DET:  Lee Shows Poise & Command (from Keith Langlois, pistons.com): https://www.nba.com/pistons/features/lees-poise-command-show-pistons-end-summer-league-3-game-win-streak

- HOU: Josh Christopher Gets Summer Experience In Revised Role (from Jonathan Feigen, Houston Chronicle): https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/rockets/article/Rockets-rookie-Josh-Christopher-gets-summer-16391206.php

- NOP: Why Trey Murphy III Is Perfect Fit For Pels (from Matt Babcock, Basketball News):  https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/trey-murphy-iii-is-showing-why-hes-a-perfect-fit-for-the-pelicans

- NOP: Murphy, Marshall Looking like Viable Wings Options (from William Guillory, The Athletic): https://theathletic.com/2772996/2021/08/16/pelicans-summer-league-stock-report-trey-murphy-iii-naji-marshall-looking-like-viable-wing-options/?source=user_shared_article

- NYK: McBride & Grimes End Knicks' SL In Style (from Marc Berman, NY Post): https://nypost.com/2021/08/16/miles-mcbride-quentin-grimes-end-knicks-summer-league-in-style/

- ORL: Suggs, Wagner & Mosley At Summer League (from Josh Robbins, The Athletic): https://theathletic.com/2772463/2021/08/16/what-im-hearing-about-jalen-suggs-franz-wagner-and-jamahl-mosley-at-magic-summer-league/

- PHO: Evaluating Jalen Smith's Progress In SL (from Trevor Booth, Bright Side Of The Sun):  https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2021/8/17/22626654/phoenix-suns-jalen-smith-nba-summer-league-power-forward-james-jones-monty-williams

- SAS: Primo Is Learning How To 'Keep It Simple' (from Tom Orsborn, Express-News): https://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/Spurs-rookie-Josh-Primo-learning-how-to-keep-16390582.php

---

- Previewing BOS-SAC Title Game (from Jonathan Givony/Andrew Lopez, ESPN):  https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/32035835/nba-summer-league-2021-previewing-celtics-kings-title-game-how-top-players-find-roles-season-tips

- Takeaways From Day 9 (from Ethan Fuller, Basketball News): https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/studs-and-duds-from-the-ninth-day-of-nba-summer-league

From Jack Maloney, CBS Sports: https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-summer-league-day-12-takeaways-knicks-rookies-finish-in-style-luka-garza-goes-off-earns-two-way-deal/

- Starry Draft Class Delivers On The Hype At SL (from Ben Golliver, Washington Post): https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/a-starry-draft-class-delivers-on-the-hype-at-nba-s-las-vegas-summer-league/ar-AANo0cF

- Top Rookie Performances In 2021 SL (from Krysten Peek, Yahoo Sports): https://sports.yahoo.com/nba-summer-league-cam-thomas-prolific-scoring-leads-top-rookie-performances-230910496.html

- Grading Every Top Rookie At SL (from Jonathan Wasserman, Bleacher Rfeport): https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2947318-grading-every-top-nba-rookie-at-2021-las-vegas-summer-league

- The Rookies & Sophs Who Stood Out At SL (from Kevin Pelton, ESPN): https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/32031337/nba-summer-league-2021-rookies-sophomores-stood-las-vegas

HOOPS HISTORY

- Dennis Johnson, Basketball's Top Defensive Guard (from Steve Ellis, Sports Quarterly, 1980): https://from-way-downtown.com/2021/08/16/dennis-johnson-basketballs-top-defensive-guard-1980/