Today's Best NBA Reporting And Analysis 4/8/18

- Jazz' Assistant Coach Johnnie Bryant Works Behind The Scenes But His Impact Is Unmistakable (from Kyle Goon, Salt Lake Tribune):

Read it here:  https://www.sltrib.com/sports/jazz/2018/04/07/johnnie-bryant-works-behind-the-scenes-but-his-impact-on-the-jazz-is-unmistakable/

- Everyone In The West Playoff Race Controls Their Own Destiny (from Tom Ziller, SB Nation):

Read it here: https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2018/4/8/17212136/nba-playoffs-standings-nuggets-timberwolves-thunder-chaos

- Knee Expert Explains Irving's Status & What Could Come Next (from Gary Washburn, Boston Globe):

Read it here:  http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/celtics/2018/04/07/knee-expert-explains-kyrie-irving-status-and-what-could-come-next/Z2pK0oYjhg1xZCIYWCaIJJ/story.html

- Brad Stevens Sees Similarities Between Horford & Monroe (from Quenton Albertie, USA Today):

Read it here:  https://celticswire.usatoday.com/2018/04/07/brad-stevens-sees-similarities-between-al-horford-and-greg-monroe/

- VanVleet: 6MOY? (from Curtis Rafter, Hashtag Basketball):

Read and watch  it here:  https://hashtagbasketball.com/toronto-raptors/content/fred-vanvleets-case-for-sixth-man-of-the-year

- Observations From Jimmy Butler's Return (from Kyle Ratke, Timberwolves.com):

Read and watch it here:  http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/three-observations-butlers-return

From Ohm Youngmisuk, ESPN:  http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/23055416/jimmy-butler-back-minnesota-timberwolves-friday

- Q & A: Jeff Green (from Alex Kennedy, Hoops Hype):

Read it here:  http://hoopshype.com/2018/04/08/jeff-green-on-playing-with-lebron-james-cavs-drama-open-heart-surgery-trade-deadline-seattle-stint-accepting-his-role-and-more/

- Q & A: Trey Burke (from Steve Serby, NY Post):

Read it here:  https://nypost.com/2018/04/08/trey-burke-talks-career-rebirth-meditation-and-life-with-knicks/

- Knicks: Ntilikina's Progress (from Maxwell Ogden, Daily Knicks):

Read and watch it here:  https://dailyknicks.com/2018/04/07/new-york-knicks-frank-ntilikina-proves-point-guard-future/

- Clint Capela: Greatly Improved, But Just Scratching The Surface (from Scott Cacciola, NY Times):

Read it here: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/07/sports/basketball/clint-capela-rockets.html

- How The NBA Schedule Rattled The Nuggets...And Their Opponents (from Baxter Holmes, ESPN):

Read it here:  http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/23050709/how-nba-schedule-rattled-denver-nuggets-their-opponents

- Tanking Has Become A Problem (from Al Iannazzone, Newsday):

Read it here:  https://www.newsday.com/sports/basketball/knicks/nba-tanking-losing-draft-pick-1.17899744

- The Evolution Of Jonas Valanciunas (from Mike Rouleau, Raptors HQ):

Read it here:  https://www.raptorshq.com/2018/4/7/17205976/nba-toronto-jonas-valanciunas-offense-defense-three-block-dunks-playoffs-free-throws

- Heat: Adebayo Won't Forget Where He Came From But His Sights Are Set On A Bright Future (from Anthony Chiang, Palm Beach Post):

Read it here:  http://heatzone.blog.mypalmbeachpost.com/2018/04/08/heat-rookie-bam-adebayo-will-never-forget-where-he-comes-from-but-his-sights-are-set-on-a-bright-nba-future/

- Wizards Struggle To Explain What's Wrong (from Candace Buckner, Washington Post):

Read it here:  https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wizards-insider/wp/2018/04/07/wizards-struggle-against-hawks-then-struggle-for-explanations-for-their-four-game-skid/

From Kevin Parrish, Jr, Bullets Forever: https://www.bulletsforever.com/2018/4/8/17211460/washington-wizards-losing-team-struggles-records-atlanta-hawks

- NBA Draft: International Prospect Scouting Reports (from Mike Schmitz, ESPN):

Read and watch it here:  http://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/23065643/nba-draft-scouting-luka-doncic-potential-young-unicorn-prospect

- The Sixers Have Six Picks In The 2018 Draft (from Bret Stuter, The Sixer Sense):

Read it here:  https://thesixersense.com/2018/04/07/3-seed-philadelphia-76ers-still-6-picks-2018-nba-draft/

- Is Role Change The Culprit In Dinwiddie's Drop-Off? (from Greg Logan, Newsday):

Read it here:  https://www.newsday.com/sports/basketball/nets/spencer-dinwiddie-nets-1.17911799