Today's Best NBA Reporting And Analysis 10/17/18 PART ONE

- BKN: LeVert Gets The Call As Opening Night Starter (from Tom Dowd, nets.com):

Read it here:  https://www.nba.com/nets/news/feature/2018/10/17/caris-levert-gets-that-call-for-opening-night-starting-lineup

- BOS: Bench Spells The Difference In Opening Win  (from Sid Ventura, ESPN):

Read it here:  http://www.espn.com/basketball/story/_/id/25003624/bench-spells-difference-celtics-win-sixers

- BOS: The Celtics Passed Their 1st Test (from Gary Washburn, Boston Globe):

Read it here:  https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/celtics/2018/10/16/gary-washburn-this-was-first-test-new-semester-and-celtics-passed/u3AwzD1zRFdrA9i597KT4H/story.html

- BOS: Hayward's Return (from Jeff Zilgitt, USA Today):

Read it here:  https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/columnist/jeff-zillgitt/2018/10/17/gordon-hayward-celtics-return-ankle-injury/1667728002/

- BOS: Celtics Flaunt How Many Ways They Can Win (from Chris Mannix, Yahoo Sports):

Read it here:   https://sports.yahoo.com/celtics-flaunt-many-ways-can-win-season-opener-76ers-051032916.html

- CLE: Why The Cavs Are Against Tanking (from Chris Fedor, cleveland.com):

Read it here:  https://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2018/10/why_are_cleveland_cavaliers_ag.html

- DAL: How To Watch Doncic (from Pelton, Givony, Schmitz, ESPN):

Read it here:  http://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/24959458/how-watch-luka-doncic-unprecedented-nba-rookie-dallas-mavericks

- DAL: Video: Why Doncic Is The ROY Favorite (from  ESPN):

Watch it here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoYjUq1_LVI

- DEN: Jamal Murray: Growing Into Leadership Role (from Mike Singer, Denver Post):

Read it here:  https://www.denverpost.com/2018/10/17/jamal-murray-growing-nuggets-leadership-role/

- DET: Dwane Casey's System (from Vince Ellis, Detroit Free Press):

Read and watch it here:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2018/10/17/detroit-pistons-dwane-casey/1657896002/

- GSW: For The Dubs, Size Matters, Even Without DMC  (from Adrian Dy, ABS-CBN):

Read it here:  https://sports.abs-cbn.com/nba/news/2018/10/17/for-warriors-size-matters-even-without-cousins-48467

- IND: Five Questions (from Caitlin Cooper, Indy Cornrows):

Read it here:  https://www.grizzlybearblues.com/2018/10/17/17979264/five-questions-with-indy-cornrows-nba-memphis-grizzlies

- MEM: JaMychal Green: Ready To Do The Dirty Work (from Michael Inabinett, AL Sports):

Read it here:  https://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2018/10/jamychal_green_ready_to_do_the.html

- MIN: What Has To Go Right For The Season To Go Well (from Jace Frederick, Pioneer Press):

Read it here:  https://www.twincities.com/2018/10/16/what-has-to-go-right-for-timberwolves-season-to-go-well/

- NOP: Signs Point To A Jahlil Okafor Comeback  (from Michael Scotto, The Athletic):

Read it here:  https://theathletic.com/588115/2018/10/17/after-a-good-experience-with-the-nets-signs-point-to-a-jahlil-okafor-comeback-with-the-pelicans/

- PHI: Film Review: Sixers' Big Picture Concerns (from Kyle Neubeck, Philly Voice):

Rea and watch it here:  https://www.phillyvoice.com/film-review-sixers-big-picture-concerns-boston-celtics-markelle-fultz-joel-embiid/

- SAC: Joerger Has Simplified The  Playbook & Checked Analytics (from Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee):

Read it here: https://www.sacbee.com/sports/nba/sacramento-kings/article220140185.html

- TOR: Raptors' Gamble Rests On Defensive Improvement (from Michael Grange, Sportsnet.ca):

Read it here:  https://www.sportsnet.ca/basketball/nba/raptors-big-off-season-gamble-rests-defensive-improvement/

- TOR: What Makes Kawhi So Good?  (from Doug Smith, Toronto Star):

Read it here:  https://www.thestar.com/sports/raptors/2018/10/17/why-is-kawhi-leonard-one-of-the-top-five-players-in-the-nba.html

- Opening Night Takeaways (from Rohan Nadkarni, Sports Illustrated):

Read it here:  https://www.si.com/nba/2018/10/17/nba-opening-night-celtics-sixers-jayson-tatum-ben-simmons-warriors-thunder-stephen-curry

From Brad Botkin, CBS Sports:   https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/celtics-vs-76ers-score-results-highlights-4-key-takeaways-from-bostons-dominant-opening-win/

From Kurt Helin, NBC Sports: https://nba.nbcsports.com/2018/10/17/three-things-to-know-jayson-tatum-is-a-star-markelle-fultz/

- A League Scout's WC Team-By-Team Take (from Sam Amick, The Athletic):

Read it here:  https://theathletic.com/592952/2018/10/16/amick-my-western-conference-tiers-and-a-league-scouts-team-by-team-take/

- For Lottery Pick Flameouts, There Can Be A Chance At Redemption (from Howard Megdal, The ASthletic):

Read it here: https://theathletic.com/590694/2018/10/16/for-young-nba-lottery-picks-who-flame-out-theres-always-a-chance-at-redemption/

- AI's Mom: Being Ann Iverson (from Maya Jones, The Undefeated):

Read it here:  http://theundefeated.com/features/being-ann-iverson-i-knew-allen-iverson-was-going-to-the-nba-when-i-was-carrying-him/

- 2018-19's Burning Questions (from ESPN):

Read it here:  http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/24997239/burning-questions-2018-19-nba-season

- Each Team's Top 2018-19 Storyline (from Michael Scotto, The Athletic):

Read it here:  https://theathletic.com/592818/2018/10/16/the-top-storyline-for-each-nba-team-heading-into-the-2018-19-season/

- For Japan, NBA 101 Is Now In Session (from Jere Longman, NY Times):

Read it here:  https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/16/sports/nba-japan.html