Today's Best NBA Reporting And Analysis 10/13/18

- ATL: Trae Young Can Unlock His Star Potential By Improving Off The Ball (from Jeff Siegel, Dime Mag):

Read and watch it here:  https://uproxx.com/dimemag/trae-young-shooting-passing-atlanta-hawks-coaching-staff/2/

- ATL: Alex Len To Play Vital Role In Hawks' Offensive Scheme (from Kevin Chouinard, hawks.com):

Read it here:  https://www.nba.com/hawks/alex-len-play-vital-role-hawks-offensive-scheme

- BKN: Jarrett Allen: Living Up To The Hype (from Anthony Puccio, Nets Daily):

Read and watch it here:  https://www.netsdaily.com/2018/10/11/17965226/jarrett-allen-living-up-to-the-hype-in-preseason

- BOS: Hayward: The Bumps At The End Of Comeback Trail Hurt, Too (from Jay King, The Athletic):

Read it here:  https://theathletic.com/582647/2018/10/12/gordon-hayward-learning-the-bumps-at-the-end-of-the-comeback-trail-hurt-too/

- BOS: Amid The Hoopla, Don't Forget About The Bigs (from Mard D'Amico, celtics.com):

Read it here: https://www.nba.com/celtics/news/sidebar/prac-101218-amid-cs-hoopladont-forget-about-the-bigs

- CHI: Q & A: Zach Lavine  (from James Herbert, CBS Sports):

Read it here:  https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/zach-lavine-is-dunking-like-he-did-before-acl-injury-says-bulls-have-seen-your-predictions/

- CHI: Frontcourt Continues To Gain Clarity In Markkanen's Absence (from Mark Strotman, NBC Sports):

Read it here:  https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/bulls/bulls-frontcourt-continues-gain-clarity-wendell-carter-bobby-portis-shine-once-again

- CHI: Ask Sam Smith  (from bulls.com):

Read it here:  https://www.nba.com/bulls/news/ask-sam-mailbag-101218

- CLE: Preseason Observations (from Chris Fedor, cleveland.com):

Read it here:  https://www.cleveland.com/expo/sports/erry-2018/10/5ff9a2faeb107/cleveland-cavaliers-and-the-di.html

- GSW:  Damian Jones Earns Starting Center Job (from Logan Murdock, Mercury News):

Read it here:  https://www.mercurynews.com/2018/10/12/warriors-big-man-damian-jones-takes-starting-center-job-in-preseason-finale/

From Joe Viray, Golden State Of Mind: https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2018/10/9/17954440/nba-2018-golden-state-warriors-vs-phoenix-suns-damian-jones-video-breakdown

- IND: No Excuses As Pacers Go Back To Work  (from Mark Monteith, pacers.com):

Read it here:  https://www.nba.com/pacers/news/no-excuses-pacers-go-back-work

- IND: Myles Turner Sees Pacers Reaching New Heights (from Spencer Davies, Basketball Insiders):

Read it here:  http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nba-daily-turner-sees-pacers-reaching-new-heights/

- MIL: Bucks Want Opponents To Earn Their Points This Season (from Eric Nehm, The Athletic):

Read it here:  https://theathletic.com/584603/2018/10/12/bucks-want-opponents-to-earn-their-points-this-season/

- NYK: Knox Will "Take His Lumps" As Starting SF (from Stefan Bondy, NY Daily News):

Read it here:  http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/ny-sports-knicks-notes-point-guards-20181012-story.html

From Steve Popper, Newsday:  https://www.newsday.com/sports/basketball/knicks/new-york-knicks-1.21886834

From Marc Berman, NY Post:  https://nypost.com/2018/10/12/knicks-end-preseason-with-a-dud-and-no-answers-at-point-guard/

- ORL: Isaac's Length Changes The Defense (from Philip Rossman-Reich, Orlando Magic Daily):

Read and watch it here:  https://orlandomagicdaily.com/2018/10/08/orlando-magic-playbook-how-jonathan-isaac-changes-the-defense/

- PHI: Ben Simmons' Roadmap To Improving  (from Sarah Todd, philly.com):

Read it here:  http://www2.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/sixers-ben-simmons-76ers-preview-all-defense-nba-20181013.html

- PHI: Simmons Has His Native Australia Obsessed  (from Mike Jensen, philly.com):

Read it here:  http://www2.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/ben-simmons-australia-nba-sixers-76ers-20181011.html

- PHO: The Suns Should Not Sign Jamal Crawford (from Kyle Manthe, Valley Of The Suns):

Read it here:  https://valleyofthesuns.com/2018/10/13/phoenix-suns-not-sign-jamal-crawford/

- POR: Q & A: Terry Stotts (from Kerry Eggers, Portland Tribune):

Read it here:  https://portlandtribune.com/pt/12-sports/408709-307546-blazers-stotts-shines-on-sidelines-

- SAS: Bryn Forbes Slides Into NBA's Most Cursed Role (from Jeff McDonald, Express-News):

Read it here:  https://www.expressnews.com/spurs-nation/article/Spurs-notebook-Forbes-slides-into-NBA-s-most-13304030.php

- UTA: Perfect Preseason Provides Answers & More Questions (from Dan Clayton, Salt City Hoops):

Read it here:  http://saltcityhoops.com/preseason-provides-answers-and-questions/

- UTA: Exum Could Be In Best Situation Of His Career This Season (from Kyle Standfield, Pick And Roll):

Read and watch it here:  https://pickandroll.com.au/dante-exum-could-be-in-the-best-situation-of-his-career-this-year/

- Numbers Game: The Future Of Sports Stats (from Jack Malooley, chicagomag.com):

Read it here:  http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/October-2018/Sports-Stats/

- Who Gets An Extension? (from Zach Lowe, ESPN):

Read it here:  http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/24966686/zach-lowe-nba-predictions-potential-deals-bobby-portis-terry-rozier-myles-turner

- Roster, Contract Deadlines Loom (from Luke Adams, Hoops Rumors):

Read it here:  https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2018/10/roster-contract-deadlines-loom-for-nba-teams.html

- The Important Last-Minute Roster Decisions To Watch (from Bobby Marks, ESPN):

Read it here:  http://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/24957983/most-important-nba-roster-decisions-watch-kristaps-porzingis-justise-winslow

- Tex Winter: Far More Than Just The Triangle Pioneer (from Jack McCallum, Sports Illustrated):

Read it here:

https://www.si.com/nba/2018/10/12/tex-winter-pioneer-triangle-offense-michael-jordan-chicago-bulls-phil-jackson-la-lakers

From Alejandro Danois, The Shadow League:  https://theshadowleague.com/story/tex-winter-the-genius-behind-the-ascension-of-michael-jordan-and-kobe