Today's Best NBA Reporting And Analysis 7/18/21

NBA FINALS

From Ramona Shelburne, ESPN: https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/31836199/nba-finals-2021-one-win-away-jrue-holiday-milwaukee-bucks-staying-course

From Tim Bontemps, ESPN: https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/31836412/milwaukee-bucks-jrue-holiday-seals-game-5-win-clutch-steal-alley-oop-pass

From Mark Medina, USA Today: https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/columnist/mark-medina/2021/07/18/suns-near-nba-finals-loss-over-reliance-devin-booker/8006219002/

From Anthony Slater, The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/2713258/2021/07/18/the-suns-let-game-5-and-probably-an-nba-title-slip-away-in-a-nightmare-second-quarter/

From Eric Nehm, The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/2713338/2021/07/18/jrue-holiday-reached-another-level-as-bucks-needed-him-most-leading-milwaukee-to-a-3-2-nba-finals-lead/   and  https://theathletic.com/2711931/2021/07/17/khris-middletons-success-not-taken-for-granted-in-bucks-locker-room-he-doesnt-get-appreciated-enough/

From Sam Amick, The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/2713396/2021/07/18/how-giannis-antetokounmpo-stayed-in-the-moment-after-missed-free-throws-to-dunk-the-bucks-to-the-verge-of-a-title/

From Michael Shapiro, Sports Illustrated: https://www.si.com/nba/2021/07/18/bucks-beat-suns-game-5-nba-finals-behind-big-3-giannis-middleton-holiday

From Joe Viray, Rappler: https://www.rappler.com/sports/nba/key-counters-helped-milwaukee-bucks-take-game-5-finals

From Duane Rankin, Arizona Republic: https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2021/07/17/nba-finals-suns-face-elimination-after-losing-game-5-bucks/8005739002/

From Mike Ganter, Toronto Sun: https://torontosun.com/sports/basketball/nba/bucks-big-three-dominant-and-now-just-a-game-away-from-an-nba-title

From Jeff Zillgitt, USA Today: https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2021/07/17/bucks-hold-off-suns-game-five-thriller/8004843002/

From Ben Steele, Journal Sentinel: https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/nba/bucks/2021/07/17/milwaukee-bucks-vs-phoenix-suns-game-5-nba-finals-chat-updates/7993526002/

From Shaun Powell, NBA.com: https://www.nba.com/news/suns-bucks-game-5-analysis-jrue-holidays-two-way-masterpiece-lifts-bucks-to-championship-precipice

From Colin Ward-Henninger, CBS Sports: https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-finals-bucks-giannis-antetokounmpo-backs-up-viral-humility-speech-with-unselfish-game-5-performance/

From Trevor Booth, Bright Side Of The Sun: https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2021/7/18/22582012/monty-williams-phoenix-suns-nba-finals-game-5-second-quarter-third-quarter-milwaukee-bucks   and https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2021/7/18/22582015/mikal-bridges-deandre-ayton-phoenix-suns-nba-finals-game-5-milwaukee-bucks

From Dalton Sell, Behind The Buck Pass: https://behindthebuckpass.com/2021/07/18/milwaukee-bucks-takeaways-game-5-win-phoenix-suns/

From Candace Buckner/Gene Wang, Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/07/17/bucks-suns-nba-finals-game-5-live-updates/

From Jack Maloney, CBS Sports: https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/bucks-suns-nba-finals-score-takeaways-giannis-led-milwaukee-rallies-past-phoenix-one-win-away-from-title/live/

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PRE-OLYMPICS

From Hugo Bernreuter, MLive: https://www.mlive.com/sports/2021/07/hectic-or-not-saginaws-draymond-green-jumps-at-olympic-opportunity.html

From Ed Odeven, Japan Forward: https://japan-forward.com/japan-sports-notebook-japan-hoop-squad-gets-big-boost-with-return-of-rui-hachimura-yudai-baba/

From Joe Vardon, The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/2712006/2021/07/17/spurs-keldon-johnson-drew-tears-from-parents-when-he-broke-his-team-usa-news-it-was-a-special-moment/

2021 DRAFT

- Keys To Finding 2nd Round Stars (from A. Sherrod Blakely, Bleacher Report):

Read it here: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2946026-khris-middleton-and-the-keys-to-finding-second-round-nba-draft-stars

- Scouting Report: Alperen Sengun (from Graham Chapple, Peachtree Hoops):

Read and watch it here: https://www.peachtreehoops.com/2021/7/18/22574601/2021-nba-draft-scouting-report-alperen-sengun-analysis-video-breakdown-fit-with-atlanta-hawks

- Profile: Josh Giddey (from Tamberlyn Richardson, Thunderous Intentions):

Read it here: https://thunderousintentions.com/2021/07/17/okc-thunder-draft-profile-josh-giddey/

- All Pat Riley Asks From Heat Scouting Staff: Get Something Out Of Nothing (from Ira Winderman, SunSentinel):

Read it here: https://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/fl-sp-ira-nba-column-20210717-ofee3nbdsjd3djwpisne74cktu-story.html

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NEWS AND NOTES

- The NBA Could Be In Dawn Staley's Future (from Adam Parker, Post And Courier):

Read it here: https://www.postandcourier.com/news/local_state_news/the-nba-could-be-in-her-future-but-for-now-dawn-staley-has-fights-to/article_2a76d080-e027-11eb-a786-e3075637be07.html

- BOS: Time Lord Era Hits Pivotal Summer (from Mark Murphy, Boston Herald):

Read it here: https://www.bostonherald.com/2021/07/18/0708-bh-s-timelord/

- DAL: Q & A: Jason Kidd (from Dallas News):

Read and listen to it here: https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/mavericks/2021/07/17/jason-kidd-discusses-his-strength-as-a-players-coach-mavs-title-chances-and-more/

- DEN: Offseason Preview (from Luke Adams, Hoops Rumors):

Read it here: https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2021/07/2021-nba-offseason-preview-denver-nuggets.html

- POR: Anfernee Simons: 3 Areas To Improve (from Andy Quach, Rip City Project):

Read it here: https://ripcityproject.com/2021/07/17/portland-trail-blazers-anfernee-simons-star/