Today's Best NBA Reporting And Analysis 12/19/19

- ATL: Jabari Parker's Story Has Reached A Critical Chapter (from Michael Pina, SBNation):

Read it here: https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2019/12/18/21028212/jabari-parker-atlanta-hawks-free-agency-chicago-bulls-quotes

- BKN: The Nets Are Getting Bailed Out By Their Defense (from Brian Lewis, NY Post):

Read it here: https://nypost.com/2019/12/19/nets-getting-bailed-out-by-their-defense-right-now/

- BKN: Irving Injury Update (from Malika Andrews, ESPN):

Read it here: https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/28312808/kyrie-irving-injury-spencer-dinwiddie-dominance-biggest-brooklyn-nets-questions

- BOS: Takeaways From Win Over Mavs (from Gary Washburn, Boston Globe):

Read it here:  https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/celtics/2019/12/19/huge-road-win-dallas-celtics-stepped-their-defense-and-denied-mavericks-any-more-easy-baskets/dFrcFHbetxVRt6QSDybAIL/story.html

From Brian Robb, Boston Sports Journal: https://www.bostonsportsjournal.com/2019/12/19/brad-stevens-pushed-right-buttons-shorthanded-celtics-win-mavericks/

From John Karalis, Mass Live: https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2019/12/awful-defense-brilliant-out-of-bounds-plays-kendrick-perkins-the-tv-god-8-things-we-learned-from-boston-celtics-vs-dallas-mavericks.html

- CHA: Brandon Clarke is The Draft Steal We Should Have All Seen Coming (from Ricky O'Donnell, SBNation):

Read it here: https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2019/12/19/21023793/brandon-clarke-grizzlies-nba-draft-stats-highlights-gonzaga

- CLE: How Osman Is Adjusting (from Chris Fedor, cleveland.com):

Read it here: https://www.cleveland.com/cavs/2019/12/cedi-osman-striving-to-be-more-consistent-with-ever-changing-role-im-slowly-trying-to-adjust.html

- DEN: How Coach Malone Might Adjust The Rotation To Lighten Gary Harris' Minutes Load (from Harrison Wind, DNVR):

Read it here: https://thednvr.com/michael-malone-is-wary-of-gary-harris-minutes-load-heres-how-he-may-adjust-his-rotation/

- GSW: Kerr: The League Should Crack Down On Flopping (from Scott Ostler, SF Chronicle):

Read it here: https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/ostler/article/Warriors-Steve-Kerr-With-flopping-NBA-is-14916414.php

- GSW: Kerr Maintains Patience In Trying Season (from Kerry Eggers, Portland Tribune):

Read it here: https://pamplinmedia.com/pt/12-sports/446268-362321-wounded-warriors

- IND: Stop Sleeping On The Pacers (from Jack Winter, ccn.com):

Read it here: https://www.ccn.com/five-reasons-why-its-time-to-stop-sleeping-indiana-pacers/

- IND: Initiative, Persistence Fueled A Dream Job (from Mark Montieth, pacers.com):

Read it here: https://www.nba.com/pacers/news/initiative-persistence-fueled-dream-job

- MIA: Heat Rely On Zone Defense To Hand Sixers 1st Home Defeat (from Tim Bontemps, ESPN):

Read it here: https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/28331479/heat-rely-zone-defense-deal-76ers-first-loss-home-season

From Grant Hughes, Bleacher Report: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2867642-miami-heat-are-becoming-nbas-most-lethal-giant-killer-out-east

- MIN: There's Nothing KAT Can't Do (from Jonathan Abrams, Bleacher Report):

Read it here: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2867167-theres-really-nothing-karl-anthony-towns-cant-do

- NYK: RJ Barrett: Grinding Through Drama With The Knicks (from Marc J Spears, The Undefeated):

Read it here: https://theundefeated.com/features/knicks-rookie-rj-barrett-grinding-through-drama-in-new-york/

- NYK: Bullock Relishes Return After Injury, Tragedy (from Peter Botte, NY Post):

Read it here: https://nypost.com/2019/12/18/reggie-bullock-relishes-return-to-court-after-injury-tragedy/

- PHI: The Sixers Are Custom-Designed To Defend Three-Point Shooting (from Jack McCaffery, Delco Times):

Read it here: https://www.delcotimes.com/sports/mccaffery-sixers-going-to-great-lengths-to-reverse-a-four/article_8c50b68c-21f0-11ea-84b2-6f874c5078ad.html

From Tom West, Liberty Ballers: https://www.libertyballers.com/2019/12/19/21027731/philadelphia-76ers-nba-sixers-establishing-elite-three-point-defense-ben-simmons-matisse-thybulle

- UTA: Without Conley Again, The Jazz Need Consistency From Their Role Players (from Taylor Griffin):

Read it here: https://www.slcdunk.com/the-downbeat-latest-jazz-news/2019/12/19/21029124/utah-jazz-need-more-from-role-players-royce-oneale-jeff-green-emmanuel-mudiay

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- This Week's "Analytics Lookaround" (from Seth Partnow, The Athletic):

Read it here: https://theathletic.com/1460484/2019/12/18/nba-analytics-league-lookaround-big-game-ratings-player-rip-throughs-and-turnover-rates/?source=dailyemail

- Lakers- Bucks Preview (from John Hollinger, The Athletic):

Read it here: https://theathletic.com/1471846/2019/12/19/hollinger-finals-preview-mvp-showdown-heres-what-to-look-for-when-the-lakers-meet-the-bucks/

- The Importance Of The Pre-Game Warm-up For NBA Athletes (from Lucas Seehafer, The Step Back):

Read it here: https://fansided.com/2019/12/17/pre-game-warm-nba-athletes/

- Top 6MOY Candidates So Far (from Josh Cohen, magic.com):

Read it here: https://www.nba.com/magic/ranking-top-10-sixth-man-10-20191218

- 2020 Draft: Scouting The Top Prospects In Europe (from Mike Schmitz, ESPN):

Read it here: https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/28316576/scouting-top-2020-nba-draft-prospects-europe

- How A Weak Draft Could Impact The Trade Deadline (from Jeremy Woo, Sports Illustrated):

Reade it here: https://www.si.com/nba/2019/12/19/2020-nba-draft-trade-deadline-impact

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Today At The Basketball Writers:

From Kelly Scaletta:

https://bballwriters.com/hoops/history/take-a-luka-me-now-doncics-career-arc-is-off-to-an-all-time-start/