Today's Best NBA Reporting And Analysis 8/16/20

- DEN: For Murray, Communication Is At Forefront Of Improving Nuggets' Defense (from Joel Rush,  Forbes):

Read it here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/joelrush/2020/08/15/for-jamal-murray-communication-is-the-forefront-of-improving-nuggets-defense/#3937902231fa

- DET: Blake Griffin And The Pursuit Of Social Justice (from Omari Sankofa II, Detroit Free Press):

Read it here: https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2020/08/16/blake-griffin-detroit-pistons-social-justice/5588705002/

- MEM: Next Moves For The Grizzlies (from Bobby Marks, ESPN):

Read it here: https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/29663037/next-moves-memphis-grizzlies-how-build-ja-morant

- MIL: Stats That Stand Out From The Bucks' Seeding Games (from Jordan Treske, Behind The Buck Pass):

Read it here: https://behindthebuckpass.com/2020/08/16/milwaukee-bucks-5-stats-that-stand-out-from-their-seeding-games/

- MIN: Rosas Proud Of Wolves' Response To Difficult Year (from Sid Hartman, Star Tribune):

Read it here: https://m.startribune.com/gersson-rosas-proud-of-wolves-response-to-difficult-year/572128332/

- NOP: What Pels Expect From Next Coach (from William Guillory, The Athletic):

Read it here: https://theathletic.com/1999190/2020/08/16/pelicans-next-coach-must-unlock-zions-potential-teach-young-team-how-to-win/

From Jeff Duncan, The Athletic:  https://theathletic.com/1999142/2020/08/15/pelicans-david-griffin-cant-afford-to-miss-on-this-coaching-hire/

From Jeff Duncan/Sam Amick/Will Guillory/Zach Harper, The Athletic:  https://theathletic.com/1998832/2020/08/15/alvin-gentry-fired-what-it-means-and-what-comes-next-for-the-pelicans/

- OKC: How CP3 Reinvented Himself With The Thunder (from Joe Mussatto, The Oklahoman):

Read it here: https://oklahoman.com/article/5669244/how-chris-paul-reinvented-himself-with-okc-thunder-after-rockets-trade

- PHO: Monty Williams & The Suns' Fairy Tale Run (from Brendon Kleen, Forbes):

Read it here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/brendonkleen/2020/08/15/without-monty-williams-no-fairytale-run-phoenix-suns/#77b91b7567d7

- SAC: Vlade Divac Interview (from Marcus Breton, Sacramento Bee):

Read it here: https://www.sacbee.com/opinion/article244985675.html

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- POR-MEM: Play-in Game takeaways (from James Tillman III, Hoops Habit):

Read it here: https://hoopshabit.com/2020/08/15/nba-bubble-damian-lillard-blazers/

From Joe Mullinax, Grizzly Bear Blues: https://www.grizzlybearblues.com/2020/8/16/21370599/making-scars-raising-bars-with-the-young-memphis-grizzlies-nba-play-in-game-ja-morant-rookie-year

From Ricky O'Donnell, SBNation: https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2020/8/15/21370347/trail-blazers-vs-grizzlies-final-score-recap-damian-lillard-portland-memphis-lakers

From Jason Quick, The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/1999304/2020/08/15/its-a-collection-of-will-portlands-smart-and-selfless-run-to-the-playoffs/

From Joe Vardon, The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/1998822/2020/08/15/first-thoughts-from-the-bubble-damian-lillard-and-trail-blazers-advance/?source=user_shared_article

From Jamie Hudson, NBC Sports: https://sports.yahoo.com/damian-lillard-transformed-trail-blazers-212339214.html

From Mark Medina, USA Today: https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/blazers/2020/08/15/cj-mccollum-fights-through-back-pain-blazers-clinch-playoff-spot/5593214002/

From Aaron Fentress, Oregon Live: https://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2020/08/portland-trail-blazers-center-jusuf-nurkic-dominant-against-memphis-following-passing-of-his-grandmother.html

From Scott Rafferty, Sporting News: https://www.sportingnews.com/au/nba/news/eight-observations-cj-mccollum-takes-over-down-the-stretch-to-lead-portland-trail-blazers-over-memphis-grizzlies/e0h9zsgoji951sbof5ril3yjw

From Dwight Jaynes, NBC Sports: https://www.nbcsports.com/northwest/author/dwight-jaynes

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- Q & A: Stan Van Gundy (from Steve Serby, NY Post):

Read it here: https://nypost.com/2020/08/15/stan-van-gundy-talks-tom-thibodeau-knicks-history-with-dwight-howard/

- Former/Current G League Coaches Who Should Be Linked To NBA HC Positions (from Dakota Schmidt, Ridiculous Upside):

Read it here: https://www.ridiculousupside.com/2020/8/15/21370174/four-current-former-g-league-coaches-nba-head-coaching-jobs-blair-buford-weaver-heath

- Draft Prospect Tyrese Halliburton (from Jake Paynting, Canis Hoopus):

Read and watch it here: https://www.canishoopus.com/2020/8/13/21351456/draft-radar-part-11-tyrese-haliburton-nba-offseason

- WNBA: Riquna Williams Is Settling In As Sparks' 6th Woman (from Sabreena Merchant, Silver Screen And Roll):

Read it here: https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2020/8/14/21359368/los-angeles-sparks-analysis-riquna-williams-sixth-woman-shooting-defense

NOTE:  Our special Playoff Preview edition will be published later today.  Stay tuned!