Today's Best NBA Reporting And Analysis 1/1/18

- Q & A: Kris Dunn (from David Aldridge, NBA.com):

Read it here:  http://www.nba.com/article/2018/01/01/morning-tip-q-chicago-bulls-kris-dunn#/

- Video Breakdown: The Hawks' SLOB Offense (from Jeff Siegel, Peachtree Hoops):

Read and watch it here:  https://www.peachtreehoops.com/2018/1/1/16836472/atlanta-hawks-offense-sidelines-out-of-bounds-nba-mike-budenholzer

- Why Is The Blazers' Offense Struggling? (from Jared Dubin, The Step Back):

Read it here:  https://fansided.com/2017/12/31/trail-blazers-offense-struggling/

From Jared Cowley, kgw.com): http://www.kgw.com/sports/nba/blazers/from-fever-to-famine-how-nurkic-is-hurting-the-blazers-offense/503862407

- Marcus Smart: A 27-Second Lesson In Team Defense (from Tom Lane, Celtics Life):

Read and watch it here:  http://www.celticslife.com/2018/01/marcus-smart-27-second-lesson-in-team.html

- Weekly Notes (from Gary Washburn, Boston Globe):

Read it here:  http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/celtics/2017/12/30/sunhoop/XjpGbBoHMRONxkUIqv8c5M/story.html

- HOU 148, LAL 142: Late Game Highlights (from Tim Cato, SBNation):

Read and watch it here:  https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2017/12/31/16837330/rockets-lakers-overtime-highlights-video-new-years-eye-chris-paul

- Rockets Keep Their Slump In Proper Perspective (from David Aldridge, NBA.com):

Read it here:  http://www.nba.com/article/2018/01/01/morning-tip-houston-rockets-not-fretting-losing-streak-james-harden-injury#/

- Heat: Whiteside's New Offensive Role (from Anthony Chiang, Palm Beach Post):

Read it here:  http://heatzone.blog.palmbeachpost.com/2018/01/01/new-year-new-heat-offensive-wrinkle-new-hassan-whiteside/

- Jarrett Allen: Just Getting Started (from nets.com):

Read it here:  http://www.nba.com/nets/insider/2018/01/01/just-getting-started

- Tyreke Evans: A Star Is Reborn (from Mark Deeks, Give Me Sport):

Read it here:  http://www.givemesport.com/1226666-a-star-is-reborn-tyreke-evans-is-again-amongst-the-nbas-best-power-guards

- Dwight Buycks' Winding Path (from James Edwards III, The Athletic):

Read it here:  https://theathletic.com/197231/2018/01/01/the-winding-path-that-led-dwight-buycks-to-the-pistons-and-real-opportunity/

- TV Guide: Best Games For 1/1-/1/7 (from Mo Dakhil, The Jump Ball):

Read it here:  https://thejumpball.net/2018/01/01/the-jump-balls-weekly-nba-tv-guide-jan-1st-7th/

- Could The G-League Become A Viable Alternative To College Hoops? (from Barry Jacobs, News Observer):

Read it here: http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/article192441204.html

NOTE: In this New Year's Day Edition, we feature far fewer than our usual 25 stories because many of the top writers have deservedly taken the holiday off.