Basketball Intelligence For 8/28/21

Today's Best NBA Reporting And Analysis

- BOS: Udoka's Expectations And Goals (from Justin Quinn, USA Today):  https://celticswire.usatoday.com/lists/nba-boston-celtics-udoka-improvements

- BOS: An Overview Of The Big Man Rotation (from Chris Conte, Hardwood Houdini):  https://hardwoodhoudini.com/2021/08/27/boston-celtics-overview-big-rotation/

- DEN: LaMychal Green On Returning To The Nuggets (from Mike Singer, Denver Post):  https://www.denverpost.com/2021/08/27/jamychal-green-nuggets-return/

- DET: Jerami Grant: Working On Midrange Game To Take Next Step (from Omari Sankofa II, Free Press):  https://www.sacbee.com/article253806208.html

- GSW: Dubs Who Will Be Pivotal In Klay's Absence:

   From Tony Pesta, Blue Man Hoop: https://bluemanhoop.com/2021/08/28/golden-state-warriors-3-players-will-pivotal-klays-absence/4/

   From Grant Liffman, NBC Sports: https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/warriors/three-key-warriors-holdovers-who-will-have-huge-impact-success

- MIL: 3 Bucks Who Could Shock The League In 2021-22 (from Dalton Sell, Behind The Buck Pass):  https://behindthebuckpass.com/2021/08/28/milwaukee-bucks-players-shock-nba-world-2021-22

- MIL: Re-Grading The Portis Signing (from Bradshaw Furlong, Behind The Buck Pass):  https://behindthebuckpass.com/2021/08/27/milwaukee-bucks-regrading-the-bobby-portis-signing/

- MIN: Rim Efficiency Was The Key To Anthony Edwards' Breakout (from Jake Paynting, Howls And Growls): 

Deep Dive, Vol. 5: Rim Efficiency Was The Key To Anthony Edwards' Breakout

- TOR: 3 Raptors Whose Roles Will Change In 2021-22 (from Mike Luciano, Raptors Rapture):  https://raptorsrapture.com/2021/08/28/toronto-raptors-3-players-experience-role-change-vanvleet/

- TOR: Dalano Banton's Light Shines Bright As NBA Dreams Come True (from Katie Heindl, Yahoo Sports):  https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/nba-raptors-draft-the-brightness-of-torontos-own-dalano-banton-184018108.html

- UTA: The Final Stretch Of The Jazz' Schedule Is Challenging - And Intriguing (from Sarah Todd, Deseret News):  https://www.deseret.com/2021/8/27/22643650/utah-jazz-insiders-newsletter-breaking-down-the-season-schedule

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- The Best "Big 3s" Entering 2021-22 Season (from Kirk Goldsberry, ESPN):  https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/32089410/trio-tiers-how-nba-best-big-threes-stack-entering-2021-22-season

- This Year's Maximum Contracts: Breaking Down The Differences (from Luke Adams, Hoops Rumors):  https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/breaking-down-the-differences-between-this-years-maximum-contracts/ar-AANMBB3

- The 2021-22 Season Will Have The Largest Luxury Tax Payments Ever (from Yossi Gozlan, Hoops Hype):  https://hoopshype.com/lists/nba-2021-22-season-largest-luxury-tax-payments-ever/

- The Era Of 'Tentpole' Free Agency Has Become  A Relic Of The Past (from Christopher Reina, Real GM): https://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/the_nbas_era_of_tentpole_free_agency_has_become_a_relic_of_the_past/s1_8276_35722112

- The Lute Olson Story, Part 3 (from Curt Eriksmoen, Jamestown Sun ):  https://www.jamestownsun.com/lifestyle/family/7164180-North-Dakota-born-basketball-coach-elevated-mediocre-teams-to-national-powerhouses

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- The CHI-CLE-POR Trade:

   From John Hollinger, The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/2794046/2021/08/27/hollinger-larry-nance-jr-fits-bill-for-blazers-can-lauri-markkanen-thrive-with-cavs/

   From Zach Harper, The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/2794044/2021/08/27/lauri-markkanen-larry-nance-jr-derrick-jones-jr-traded-in-three-team-deal-instant-grades-and-reaction/

   From Ricky O'Donnell, SBNation: https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2021/8/27/22644663/nba-trade-bulls-trail-blazers-nance-cavs-markkanen    From Alec Liebsch, Fansided: https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/nba-trade-grades-cavaliers-confuse-everyone-trade-for-lauri-markkanen/ar-AANOY9x

   From Kevin Pelton, ESPN: https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/32096610/nba-trade-grades-won-3-team-lauri-markkanen-deal

   From Jasmyn Wimbish, CBS Sports: https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/trade-grades-lauri-markkanen-to-cavaliers-larry-nance-jr-to-blazers-in-three-team-deal-per-report/

   From James Herbert, CBS Sports: https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/with-larry-nance-jr-trade-blazers-take-a-step-forward-after-a-summer-of-damian-lillard-speculation/

   From Chris Fedor, cleveland.com: https://www.cleveland.com/cavs/2021/08/cleveland-cavaliers-take-calculated-risk-with-larry-nance-jr-lauri-markkanen-trade-chris-fedor.html

   From Kelsey Russo, The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/2794178/2021/08/27/lauri-markkanen-headed-to-cavs-what-it-means-for-evan-mobley-kevin-love-and-more/

   From Dan Devine, The Ringer: https://www.theringer.com/nba/2021/8/27/22645350/lauri-markannen-larry-nance-derrick-jones-trade-cavs-bulls-blazers

   From Aaron Fentress, Oregon Live: https://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2021/08/how-larry-nance-jr-fits-in-with-the-portland-trail-blazers.html

   From Marla Ridenour, Akron Beacon Journal: https://www.sunherald.com/article253806143.html

   From Kurt Helin, NBC Sports: https://nba.nbcsports.com/2021/08/27/winners-losers-from-three-team-lauri-markkanen-trade-to-cavaliers/

   From Rob Schaefer, NBC Sports: https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/bulls/grading-bulls-lauri-markkanen-sign-and-trade-cavs-blazers

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- QOTD (from Christopher Reina, Real GM): " There are better things we can do with our time than exhaust ourselves with Photoshopping every star into every jersey and discussing what-ifs of future Finals while another Finals is actually being played. "