Today's Best NBA Reporting And Analysis 12/30/18

- BOS: Irving's "Tough Love" For His Young Teammates (from Tom Westerholm, Mass Live):

Read it here:  https://www.masslive.com//celtics/2018/12/kyrie-irving-wants-young-boston-celtics-teammates-to-realize-being-an-nba-player-is-a-full-24-hour-job.html

- BOS: Once Again, Smart Made Winning Plays Down The Stretch (from Bill Sy, Celtics Blog):

Read and watch it here:  https://www.celticsblog.com/2018/12/30/18160998/marcus-smart-does-smarty-things-in-memphis-grizzlies-boston-celtics-winning-plays

- BOS: The Impact Of Jaylen Brown's Hand Injury (from Tom Westerholm, Mass Live):

Read it here:  https://www.masslive.com//celtics/2018/12/boston-celtics-jaylen-brown-hand-injury-requires-silicone-pad-it-just-makes-it-harder-to-play.html

- CHI: Jabari Parker: Staying Prepared And Patient (from KC Johnson, Chicago Tribune):

Read it here: https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/ct-spt-bulls-jabari-parker-benching-future-20181229-story.html

- CLE: How Tristan Thompson's Injury Has Played A Part In Sexton's Recent Struggles (from Chris Fedor, cleveland.com):

Read it here:  https://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2018/12/how_tristan_thompsons_injury_h.html

- CLE: Savoring The Journey: Blossongame's Basketball Odyssey (from Joe Gabriele, cavaliers.com):

Read it here:  https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/features/blossomgame-181229

- HOU: James Ennis III Has Used Basketball To Improve His Family's  Lot (from Hunter Atkins, Houston Chronicle):

Read it here:  https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rockets/article/Rockets-James-Ennis-III-has-used-basketball-to-13492517.php

-IND: Domantas Sabonis Is The NBA's Best-Kept Secret (from Jared Dubin, The Step Back):

Read it here:  https://fansided.com/2018/12/30/domantas-sabonis-pacers-secret/

- LAC: Another Episode Of The Lou Williams Show (from Mirjam Swanaon, OC Register):

Read it here:  https://www.ocregister.com/2018/12/28/clippers-enjoy-another-episode-of-the-lou-williams-show/

- MEM: Parsons Says He Ready To Play But That FO Won't Let Him (from Mark Giannotto, Commercial Appeal):

Read it here:  https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/sports/columnists/mark-giannotto/2018/12/29/chandler-parsons-injury-memphis-grizzlies-nba/2421430002/

- OKC: Inside Schroder's Evolution (from Noah Schulte, Thunderous Intentions):

Read it here:  https://thunderousintentions.com/2018/12/30/inside-dennis-schroders-evolution/

- PHI: 6 Thoughts On The Sixers (from Derek Bodner, The Athletic):

Read it here:  https://theathletic.com/739057/2018/12/29/6-thoughts-on-the-sixers-embiids-aired-grievances-and-3-point-shooting-simmons-vs-celtics-preaching-patience/

- PHI: The Celtics Loss Wasn't That Bad (from Christopher Kline, The Sixer Sense):

Read it here:  https://thesixersense.com/2018/12/30/philadelphia-76ers-processing-boston-celtics-loss-wasnt-bad/

- PHI: Starters Still Setting League Pace In Efficiency (from Brian Seltzer, sixers.com):

Read it here:  https://www.nba.com/sixers/news/starting-group-again-setting-league-pace-efficiency

- PHO: Suns Are Forming An Offensive Identity Around Booker (from Brendon Kleen, Bright Side Of The Sun):

Read it here:  https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2018/12/30/18161128/bullseye-phoenix-suns-offensive-identity-devin-booker

- PHO The Suns Are Starting To Take Advantage Of Length & Athleticism (from Duane Rankin, azcentral.com):

Read it here:  https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2018/12/29/phoenix-suns-length-athleticism-similar-seven-seconds-less/2440698002/

- SAC: Kings On The Right Path (from Dan Woike, LA Times):

Read it here:  https://www.latimes.com/sports/nba/la-sp-nba-woike-20181229-story.html

- SAS: The Shooting Efficiency Of The Spurs (from Scott LaForest, Nylon Calculus):

Read it here:  https://fansided.com/2018/12/30/nylon-calculus-shooting-efficiency-spurs/

- UTA: Exum Is Playing With More Poise & Confidence (from Aaron Falk, utahjazz.com):

Read it here:  https://www.nba.com/jazz/news/after-and-down-start-season-dante-exum-playing-more-poise-and-more-confidence

From Tavan Parker, Bball Index:  http://www.bball-index.com/dante-exums-progression-2019/

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

Read it here:  https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/celtics/2018/12/29/easy-forget-that-players-are-human-and-cope-with-their-own-personal-struggles/WxyzTDxsLXNg4uhK6tYABK/story.html