Today's Best NBA Reporting And Analysis 1/7/18

- BKN: D'Angelo Russell Has Become The Leader (from Phil Watson, Nothin' But Nets):

Read it here:  https://nothinbutnets.com/2019/01/06/brooklyn-nets-dangelo-russell-becoming-leader-another-gm-craved/

From James Tillman III, Hoops Habit:  https://hoopshabit.com/2019/01/07/brooklyn-nets-dangelo-russell-a-major-factor-during-3-game-win-streak/

- BOS: The Celtics Have A Top-10 Offense Without Scoring In The Paint Or From The FT Line (from Bill Sy, Celtics Blog):

Read and watch it here:  https://www.celticsblog.com/2019/1/7/18164880/how-do-the-boston-celtics-have-a-top-10-offense-kyrie-irving-jayson-tatum-al-horford

- BOS: Hayward Keeps Improving (from Tom Westerholm, Mass Live):

Read it here:  https://www.masslive.com//celtics/2019/01/boston-celtics-gordon-hayward-keeps-improving-stays-in-the-gym-thats-all-ive-ever-known-to-do.html

- DAL: The Mavs Key To Keeping Players Fresh: Blood Samples (from Marc Stein, NY Times):

Read it here:  https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/07/sports/basketball/dallas-mavericks-blood-samples.html

- DEN: The Contagious Passing Of Nikola Jokic Has The Nuggets On Top (from Wes Goldberg, The Step Back):

Read and watch it here:  https://fansided.com/2019/01/07/nikola-jokic-nuggets-contagious-passing/ - HOU: Harden & True Shooting Charts (from Positive Residual, Nylon Calculus): Read it here:  https://fansided.com/2019/01/07/nylon-calculus-james-harden-true-shooting-charts/ - HOU: Austin Rivers Has Been A Great Addition So Far (form Michael Knight, Space City Scoop): Read it here:  https://spacecityscoop.com/2019/01/07/houston-rockets-austin-rivers-incredible-addition/ - IND: Q & A: Myles Turner (from Sekou Smith, NBA.com): Read it here:  https://www.nba.com/article/2019/01/07/qa-myles-turner-indiana-pacers - LAL: Film Room: How The Lakers Have Changed Lonzo's Role Without LBJ (from Pete Zayas, Silver Screen & Roll): Read and watch it here:  https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2019/1/4/18167819/laker-film-room-lakers-changed-lonzo-ball-role-without-lebron-james-video-breakdown-twitter - LAL: Solving Lakers' FT Woes Will Be Difficult But Not Impossible (from Dr. Rajpal Brar, Silver Screen And Roll): Read it here:  https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2019/1/7/18170094/lakers-solving-free-throw-woes-stats-mid-season-analysis - MIL: George Hill Is Doing The Little Things (from Matt Velazquez, jsonline.com): Read and watch it here:  https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/nba/bucks/2019/01/06/george-hill-doing-little-things-and-bucks-better/2483615002/ - MIN: Questions For The Wolves Going Forward (from A Wolf Among Wolves): Read it here:  http://www.awolfamongwolves.com/2019/01/questions-i-have-for-the-timberwolves-going-forward/ - MIN: The Wolves' PG Issues (from Tyler Metcalf, Hashtag Basketball): Read and watch it here:  https://hashtagbasketball.com/minnesota-timberwolves/content/point-guard-frustrations-timberwolves - ORL: Isaac Is Straddling The Magic's Present & Future (from Philip Rossman Reich, Orlando Magic Daily): Read it here:  https://orlandomagicdaily.com/2019/01/07/jonathan-isaac-straddling-orlando-magics-present-future/ - PHI: Ben Simmons Is Not Holding The Sixers Back (from Ben Detrick, The Ringer): Read it here:  https://www.theringer.com/nba/2019/1/7/18171797/philadelphia-76ers-ben-simmons-jumper - SAC: Bogdanovic: King's Offensive Ace (from Jeff Siegel, Dime Mag): Read and watch it here:  https://uproxx.com/dimemag/bogdan-bogdanovic-sacramento-kings-breakdown/ - SAS: Spurs' Unlikely Starting Backcourt Finds Its Way (from Jeff McDonald, Express News): Read it here:  https://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/Spurs-unlikely-starting-backcourt-finds-its-way-13512843.php - TOR: Serge Ibaka's Career Year At Center (from Jared Dubin, The Step Back): Read it here:  https://fansided.com/2019/01/07/serge-ibaka-raptors-center-career-year/ - TOR: Raptors Face Back-End Decisions (from Blake Murphy, The Athletic): Read it here:  https://theathletic.com/740512/2019/01/07/as-the-window-for-nba-roster-churn-opens-raptors-face-back-end-decisions/ - UTA: Here's What Mitchell Is Seeing Differently From Defenses In Year Two (from Eric Woodyard, Deseret News): Read it here:  https://www.deseretnews.com/article/900049402/heres-what-utah-jazz-guard-donovan-mitchell-is-seeing-differently-from-nba-defenses-in-year-2.html NOTE:   INTERLEAGUE: History of the NBA-ABA Exhibition Series is the most comprehensive account of these forgotten games, which would serve as an anticipated proving ground for the emerging ABA talent. Containing over 150 box scores, recaps of every single game, and new stories on the game’s greats, INTERLEAGUE, a digital-only book, is a must-read. It was written with the goal of helping aid former ABA stars in financial need, with $2 from every sale through All-Star Weekend going to Dropping Dimes. Buy + download the PDF here: pul.ly/b/216667