Basketball Intelligence For 9/30/21, Part Two

Today's Best NBA Reporting And Analysis, Part Two

- BOS: How Horford Made His Way Back To The Celtics (from Adam Himmelsbach, Boston Globe):  https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/09/28/sports/celtics-al-horford-says-it-feels-like-i-never-left-boston/

- CHI: LaVine Serious About Continuing Defensive Improvement (from KC Johnson, NBC Sports):  https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/bulls/bulls-zach-lavine-serious-about-continuing-defensive-improvement

- CHI: Who Will The Bulls Turn To In Patrick Williams Absence? (from Darnell Mayberry, The Athletic):  https://theathletic.com/2859768/2021/09/30/johnson-or-johnson-who-will-the-bulls-turn-to-in-patrick-williams-absence/

- GSW: The Dubs Are Committed To A Small-Ball Approach (from Anthony Slater, The Athletic):  https://theathletic.com/2855947/2021/09/29/the-warriors-are-committed-to-draymond-green-at-center-and-a-small-ball-approach-this-season/

- HOU: Q &A:  Daniel Theis (from Kelly Iko, The Athletic):  https://theathletic.com/2858621/2021/09/30/daniel-theis-1-on-1-on-choosing-the-rebuilding-rockets-playing-with-christian-wood-and-more/

- LAL: Can THT Raise His Game Amidst High Expectations? (from Alex Regla, Silver Screen And Roll):  https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2021/9/28/22681008/talen-horton-tucker-lakers-contract-defense-improvements

- MEM: Taking The Leap With Ja Morant (from Joe Mullinax, Grizzly Bear Blues):  https://www.grizzlybearblues.com/2021/9/30/22701647/taking-the-leap-with-ja-morant-nba-memphis-grizzlies-player-preview-all-star

- MIN: What Is The Wolves Plan To Get Their Defense For Terrible To Mediocre? (from Britt Robson, The Athletic):  https://theathletic.com/2859040/2021/09/30/timberwolves-success-hinges-on-their-defense-going-from-terrible-to-mediocre-whats-their-plan-for-getting-there/

- OKC: Favors Brings Veteran Leadership To The Thunder (from Justin Martinez, The Oklahoman): https://www.oklahoman.com/story/sports/2021/09/29/okc-thunder-derrick-favors-brings-veteran-leadership-after-jazz-trade/5893801001/

- OKC: Poku Spent The Offseason Bulking Up (from Joe Mussatto, The Oklahoman):  https://www.oklahoman.com/story/sports/nba/thunder/2021/09/30/aleksej-pokusevski-poku-thunder-offseason-weight-gain-muscle-summer-league-training-camp/5920217001/

- ORL: What NBA Scouts Are Saying About Hampton's Future (from Josh Robbins, The Athletic):  https://theathletic.com/2858145/2021/09/30/nba-scouts-evaluate-rj-hampton

- ORL: At Magic Training Camp, The Hustle Plays Are Getting Extra Attention (from Josh Cohen, magic.com):  https://www.nba.com/magic/news/magic-blue-bell-coming-handy-during-training-camp-20210929

- PHI: Sixers' 2nd Unit Seems Improved (from Paul Hudrick, Liberty Ballers):  https://www.libertyballers.com/2021/9/29/22701106/sixers-second-unit-andre-drummond-matisse-thybulle-shake-milton-furkan-korkmaz-georges-niang

- PHO: Nance Was The Most Underrated Addition Of The Offseason (from Bryan Kalbrosky, Hoops Hype):  https://hoopshype.com/2021/09/29/portland-trail-blazers-larry-nance-jr-playmaking-passing-dribble-handoff-dho/

- PHO: Monty Williams And Shamet Are Reunited. Suns Tried For 2 Years To Acquire The SG (from Duane Rankin, Arizona Republic):  https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2021/09/30/phoenix-suns-landry-shamet-feels-blessed-join-title-contender/5926923001

- PHO: What Can DeAndre Ayton Be? (from Bryan Toporek, The Step Back):  https://fansided.com/2021/09/30/25-under-25-deandre-ayton-phoenix-suns-9/

- SAS: What McDermott & Thad Young Bring To The Spurs (from Damien Bartonek, Pounding The Rock):  https://www.poundingtherock.com/2021/9/30/22701554/determining-which-veteran-addition-will-make-the-biggest-impact-for-the-spurs

- SAS: Player Profile: Bryn Forbes (from Tom Petrini, KENS 5): https://www.kens5.com/article/sports/nba/spurs/what-will-bryn-forbes-role-be-in-his-return-to-the-san-antonio-spurs-preseason-profile/273-5dfb3d17-92ec-418a-a326-7a08c27a1e73

- UTA: What Jazz Newcomers Are Saying About Coach Snyder (from Sarah Todd, Deseret News):  https://www.deseret.com/2021/9/30/22700614/utah-jazz-coach-quin-snyder-just-a-cool-dude-what-jazz-newcomers-are-saying-about-their-new-coach

- UTA: David Locke, Voice Of The Jazz & Sports Fans Everywhere (from Matt Pacenza, Salt Lake Magazine):  https://www.saltlakemagazine.com/david-locke-utah-jazz/

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- Each WC Team's Biggest Question (from Michael Shapiro, Sports Illustrated):  https://www.si.com/nba/2021/09/30/burning-questions-for-every-western-conference-team

- Big Storylines Entering Training Camp (from Jeff Zillgitt/Mark Medina, USA Today):  https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2021/09/28/nba-season-training-camp-storylines-vaccine-status-lead-way/5890288001/

- Personal Vax Decisions Are A Matter Of Public Health (from Dan Devine, The Ringer):  https://www.theringer.com/2021/9/29/22699598/nba-covid-vaccine-kyrie-irving-andrew-wiggins

From Dave Zirin, The Nation: https://www.thenation.com/article/society/vaccine-mandate-lebron-nba/

- G League Ignite's MarJon Beauchamp Almost Quit Basketball. Now He Is A Potential Lottery Pick (from Connor Letourneau, SF Chronicle):  https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/article/MarJon-Beauchamp-almost-quit-basketball-Now-16500105.php

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Today's BI Is Dedicated To The Memory Of Assan Drame (from Andrew Greif, LA Times):  https://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/story/2021-09-29/clippers-mourn-death-of-video-assistant-assane-drame