Today's Best NBA Reporting And Analysis 10/8/18

- ATL: The Hawks Took A Big Step Backwards Defensively Last Season  (from John Schuhmann, NBA.com):

Read it here:  http://global.nba.com/news/one-team-one-stat-atlanta-hawks/

- BOS: Terry Rozier's Dad Sees Him Play In NBA For 1st Time (from Adam Himmelsbach, Boston Globe):

Read it here:  https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/celtics/2018/10/07/after-prison-release-terry-rozier-dad-sees-him-play-nba-for-first-time/LucYAoieCI90RByWCQUyoL/story.html

- BOS: Video: Gordon Hayward - The Return, Part One (from The Athletic):

Watch it here:  https://theathletic.com/video/gordon-hayward-the-return/

- CHA: Hornets' Preseason: What's Left To Decide? (from Rick Bonnell, Charlotte Observer):

Read it here:  https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nba/charlotte-hornets/article219556490.html

- CLE: Cavs Adjust Shot Clock At Practice To Help Ensure Faster Pace (from Chris Fedor, cleveland.com):

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

- CLE: 6 Players Are Fighting For The Cavs' Last Roster Spot.  Their Stories Are Compelling  (from Joe Vardon, The Athletic):

Read it here:  https://theathletic.com/575843/2018/10/08/these-six-players-are-fighting-for-last-cavaliers-roster-spot-their-stories-are-compelling/

- DET: Blake Griffin's Role Under New Coach Casey (from Keith Langlois, pistons.com):

Read it here:  https://www.nba.com/pistons/features/if-all-goes-according-caseys-plan-somebody-other-reggie-jackson-could-lead-pistons-assists

- DET: The Pistons Have Improved Defensively In Each Of The Past Four Seasons (from John Schuhmann, NBA.com):

Read it here:  http://global.nba.com/news/one-team-one-stat-detroit-pistons/

- GSW: Q & A: Danuel House (from Anthony Slater, The Athletic):

Read it here:  https://theathletic.com/573091/2018/10/06/can-danuel-house-the-backboard-dunker-fly-his-way-onto-the-warriors-roster/

- GSW:  DMC's Unusual Situation: Why His 1st Season With Dubs Might Be His Last (from Dan Feldman, NBC Sports):

Read it here:  https://sports.yahoo.com/demarcus-cousins-unusual-position-enters-005654628.html

- GSW: How Long Do Dubs Enjoy Championship Before Preparing For Next Season? (from Mark Medina, Mercury News):

Read it here:  https://www.mercurynews.com/2018/10/08/how-long-do-warriors-enjoy-nba-championship-before-preparing-for-next-season/

- HOU: MCW's New Role: So Far, So Good  (from Colin Connors, The Dream Shake):

Read it here:  https://www.thedreamshake.com/2018/10/8/17949460/michael-carter-williams-houston-rockets-early-success-in-new-role-has-surprised

- IND: Why Tyreke Signed With The Pacers (from J. Michael, Indy Star):

Read it here:  https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nba/pacers/2018/10/06/tyreke-evans-shuns-larger-markets-pacers-blue-collar-appeal-free-agency-lakers-hornets/1484571002/

- IND: Pacers: Now Featuring More Than 8 Rotation Players (from 8 Points, 9 Seconds):

Read it here:  https://8points9seconds.com/2018/10/08/indiana-pacers-lineup-fun/

- LAL: Why The Lakers Will Thrive At Being Positionless (from Jason Reed, LA Sports Hub):

Read it here:  https://lasportshub.com/2018/10/08/los-angeles-lakers-rumors-positionless/

- LAL: How LBJ Will Bolster The Lakers' Transition Game (from Alex Regla, Silver Screen And Roll):

Read and watch it here:  https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2018/10/8/17944136/lakers-editorial-lebron-james-transition-statistics-cavaliers-nba-stats-pace-quotes-analysis

- MIN: Inside The Play: KAT's Corner Three (from Lucas Seehafer, A Wolf Among Wolves):

Read and watch it here:  http://www.awolfamongwolves.com/2018/10/inside-the-play-kats-corner-3/

- MIN: Butler Status Update (from Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic):

Read it here:  https://theathletic.com/575838/2018/10/08/jimmy-butler-standoff-timberwolves-tom-thibodeau-scott-layden-heat-clippers/

- NYK: How Fizdale Is Evaluating Knicks' PG "Competition" (from Chris Iseman, northjersey.com):

Read it here:  https://www.northjersey.com/story/sports/nba/knicks/2018/10/08/new-york-knicks-what-determine-point-guard-situation/1562732002/

- NYK: Fizdale Has Been The Real Star Of The Preseason (from Marc Berman, NY Post):

Read it here:  https://nypost.com/2018/10/06/david-fizdale-has-been-the-real-star-of-the-knicks-preseason/

- OKC: New Assistant Coach Bob Beyer's Offensive Philosophy (from Jordan Buckamneer, Thunderous Intentions):

Read it here: https://thunderousintentions.com/2018/10/08/okc-thunder-new-assistant-coach-bob-beyer-improve-offense/

- ORL: Jonathon Simmons Is Impressing Coach Clifford With Toughness & Fearlessness (from John Denton, magic.com):

Read it here:  https://www.nba.com/magic/news/simmons-impressing-clifford-his-toughness-and-fearlessness-20181007

- POR: Nurkic: A Few Added Threes Could Be Plenty (from Mike Tokito, Forbes):

Read it here:  https://www.forbes.com/sites/miketokito/2018/10/08/for-trail-blazers-jusuf-nurkic-a-few-added-3-pointers-could-be-plenty/#391efb7cacdf

- WAS: Dwight Howard's back Injury Is Forcing Him To Miss Benefits Of Preseason (from Candace Buckner, Washington Post):

Read it here:  https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2018/10/07/dwight-howards-back-injury-is-forcing-him-miss-out-benefits-preseason

- WAS: Austin Rivers Is An Ideal Fit In Wizards' System (from Zach Rosen, washingtonwizrds.com):

Read it here:  https://www.nba.com/wizards/new-father-austin-rivers-ideal-fit-wizards-system

- Q & A: NBA Officiating VP Monty McCutcheon (from Jared Weiss, The Athletic):

Read it here:  https://theathletic.com/567969/2018/10/08/qa-nba-officiating-vp-monty-mccutchen-on-player-tensions-expanded-rules-and-more/

- Feature Film: 2018-19 Preseason (from Ben Falk, Cleaning The Glass):

Read and watch it here:  https://cleaningtheglass.com/feature-film-2018-19-preseason/

- EuroLeague Top 100 Players, 21-30  (from Antonis Stroggylakis, eurohoops.net):

Read it here:  https://www.eurohoops.net/en/trademarks/749648/euroleague-top-100-players-of-2018-2019-21-30/