The Unrestricted Area Presented by Basketball Intelligence

Nick and Ray talk with The Athletic's Eric Koreen about his recent article detailing the issues concerning the quality of basketball come March for the NBA. The discussion touches on how to de-incentivize tanking, as well as the merits of potentially shortening the NBA season. Click here to read Eric's piece. Check out the daily newsletter at www.basketballintelligence.net for all the best NBA stories hand-curated from around the web!

Ray LeBov and Nick Agar-Johnson talk with Sony Tiwari, Co-Founder and CEO of RefMasters, a platform created to educate people on officiating. The three discuss the mechanics of the platform and the community fostered around it, as well as several different areas of discussion regarding refereeing habits and common misconceptions of officiating.Check out RefMasters hereCheck out the daily newsletter at www.basketballintelligence.net for all the best NBA stories hand-curated from around the web!

Ray and Aaron speak with Nick Agar-Johnson, Editor-in-Chief and staff writer for No Ceilings and co-host of the Kings Weekly podcast, about the ten most exciting wing defenders in the NBA. Check out the daily newsletter at www.basketballintelligence.net for all the best NBA stories hand-curated from around the web!

Aaron Bollwinkel talks with The Athletic's Law Murray about the false notion that all NBA offenses are operating the same, the 40/20 club, and the state of the Clippers.Law's articles discussed in this interview:What stands out and what separates NBA teams' offensive identities? - The AthleticLuka Dončić is new to Lakers-Clippers rivalry, but he's far from an unfamiliar faceNBA Power Rankings: Cavaliers claim top spot; Lakers, Warriors are lurkingCheck out the daily newsletter at www.basketballintelligence.net for all the best NBA stories hand-curated from around the web!

Aaron Bollwinkel interviews San Francisco Chronicle Warriors beat writer, Sam Gordon, about the Jimmy Butler trade, the state of several of the Warriors' young players, and what to expect for the team down the stretch of the season following their blockbuster deal.Check out the daily newsletter at www.basketballintelligence.net for all the best NBA stories hand-curated from around the web!

Ray LeBov and Aaron Bollwinkel interview Dean Oliver, the author of Basketball Beyond Paper and one of the most important figures in the history of sports analytics.Click the links below to purchase your copy of Dean's incredible book: Basketball beyond Paper - Nebraska PressAmazon.com : basketball beyond paperCheck out the daily newsletter at www.basketballintelligence.net for all the best NBA stories hand-curated from around the web!

It's never too early to start talking about the draft, but here at The Unrestricted Area, we were fortunate enough to be the first to pick the brain of Bleacher Report's draft expert, Jonathan Wasserman, who recently dropped his Mock Draft 2.0. Aaron Bollwinkel (Live. Breathe. Ball. and No Gimmes) and Jonathan talk about his current projected lottery, players above and below the radar, all the comps, and much more regarding this year's exciting draft class. Check out the daily newsletter at www.basketballintelligence.net for all the best NBA stories hand-curated from around the web!

Ray LeBov and Aaron Bollwinkel interview author and basketball historian Bob Kuska about his new book, Balls of Confusion: Pro Basketball Goes to War (1965-1970)—the most in-depth look we've been provided about the early days of the ABA. Please click the link to purchase your own copy of Bob's excellently written book: Balls of Confusion: Pro Basketball Goes to War (1965-1970): Kuska, Bob: 9798990585102: Amazon.com: BooksCheck out the daily newsletter at www.basketballintelligence.net for all the best NBA stories hand-curated from around the web!

Ray Lebov (@ticketrules) talks with BI's own, Aaron Bollwinkel, from Live. Breathe. Ball., as well as draft expert, Nick Agar-Johnson, from No Ceilings, about their thoughts regarding who they believe will be this season's most impactful rookies.Check out the daily newsletter at www.basketballintelligence.net for all the best NBA stories hand-curated from around the web!

Mike Shearer (@bballispoetry) talks with NBA shooting coach Marc Campbell (@LowManHelp) about the teams they feel Vegas misjudged. Marc is the writer of the Low Man Help Substack and host of the Low Man Help Youtube channel, so check those out for shooting mechanic breakdowns, player development plans, player profiles, and so much more!Check out the daily newsletter at www.basketballintelligence.net for all the best NBA stories hand-curated from around the web!

Mike Shearer and Ray LeBov speak with Dr. Lindsay Sarah Krasnoff, a leading world expert on sports diplomacy and French sporting history. Dr. Krasnoff speaks to us from Paris, where she's attending the Olympics.We cover basketball's place in the French sporting world, what sports diplomacy is and how it has real-world impacts, how Tony Parker and Joakim Noah helped turn around the mindset of the national team, why the French pipeline to the NBA is so strong right now (and why it will stay strong in the future), expectations for the French men's and women's teams, why local fans aren't so happy with Joel Embiid, and so much more.Dr. Krasnoff's work:Basketball Empire : France and the Making of a Global NBA and WNBA -- (use code GLR AT5 for a special 20% discount)Basketball Diplomacy in Africa HubBasketball VoicesThe Sporting Paradox of Paris 2024 for those who want more context on France and its sportsDr. Krasnoff's tags: Twitter/X, LinkedIn and IGCheck out the daily newsletter at www.basketballintelligence.net for all the best NBA stories hand-curated from around the web!

Mike Shearer (@bballispoetry) and Ray LeBov (@raylebov) are delighted to chat with Atlanta Hawks' broadcaster Bob Rathbun. We discuss load management, the burden of travel, why broadcasters knew something had changed with the officiating before anyone else, the state of the Hawks, the excitement around the #1 pick, and much more!Check out the daily newsletter at www.basketballintelligence.net for all the best NBA stories hand-curated from around the web!

Ray LeBov and Mike Shearer chat with James Herbert of CBS Sports. We primarily cover James' piece discussing whether or not the NBA's regular-season alterations, like the IST and officiating changes, had an impact on the wave of injuries afflicting the playoffs.We also leave plenty of room for Finals coverage, including how the Mavericks can claw their way back into the fight, and spend a few moments on how to fix the All-Star game (not sure how we got there!).It's a wide-ranging, enjoyable conversation. Thanks for listening!Check out the daily newsletter at www.basketballintelligence.net for all the best NBA stories hand-curated from around the web!

Mike Shearer(@bballispoetry) and Ray LeBov (@raylebov) are once again delighted to chat with the legendary analytics pioneer Dean Oliver (@DeanO_Lytics).We cover some anecdotes and insights from his forthcoming book (Basketball Beyond Paper, now available for preorder on Amazon!), including a story about Shane Battier and the Observer Effect.We also dive deep into the NBA Finals, with Dean giving us a taste of what he's excited to watch (can Lively still succeed in the short roll?), some underlying statistical indicators he'll be tracking (how successful are Dallas post-ups?), how teams use analytics to adjust between playoff games, and much more.It's a fast-paced conversation with much to digest. Enjoy!Check out the daily newsletter at www.basketballintelligence.net for all the best NBA stories hand-curated from around the web!

Mike Shearer and Ray LeBov speak with Kerry Eggers about Bill Walton. Eggers spoke with more than a dozen of Waltons' closest associates to paint a complete picture of the player and the man. He wrote a compelling piece that warranted further discussion.We also spend some time discussing why Wilt Chamberlain should be the GOAT, for some reason.It's an insightful conversation that we think you'll enjoy!Kerry's story can be found here: https://www.kerryeggers.com/stories/big-red-is-gone-no-one-did-it-like-he-did-itCheck out the daily newsletter at www.basketballintelligence.net for all the best NBA stories hand-curated from around the web!

Ray LeBov and Mike Shearer break down some of the 2024 playoffs' biggest surprises and standouts. They discuss the new wave of superstars, coaching improvements, the officiating, injury resilience, and so much more.Check out the daily newsletter at www.basketballintelligence.net for all the best NBA stories hand-curated from around the web!

Once again, Ray LeBov and Mike Shearer speak with the godfather of modern NBA analytics, Dean Oliver.Dean talks about the trade-off between offensive rebounding and transition defense, the existence of momentum, what he'd tell armchair analysts today, and his new book, Basketball Beyond Paper, in which he quantifies some of the ways to train and improve players (among many other things).Check out the daily newsletter at www.basketballintelligence.net for all the best NBA stories hand-curated from around the web!

BI's Mike Shearer and Ray LeBov are joined by Alex Squadron, who recently authored a book called Life in the G: Minor League Basketball and the Relentless Pursuit of the NBA.We talk about his season embedded with the Birmingham Squadron (no relation to Alex) and what he learned while covering the players, coaches, and staff during a uniquely tumultuous time. He describes the choice every G-Leaguer has to make between earning good money playing overseas or staying closer to their NBA dream, what his writing process was like, and why players should always, always double-check their bags before leaving on a road trip.Check out the daily newsletter at www.basketballintelligence.net for all the best NBA stories hand-curated from around the web!

Basketball Intelligence's Mike Shearer (@bbballispoetry) and Ray LeBov (@RayLebov) speak with Bleacher Report's Andy Bailey (who authored a story suggesting these changes) and former Director of Officiating Ronnie Nunn about some potential rule changes the NBA could adopt to improve the game.The conversation covers the feasibility of live-ball rebounds, the impact of fewer timeouts (and what refs are doing when teams are huddled up), a history of flopping, what should be done about block/charge calls, and the difficulties of getting to a 2-hour game. Check out the daily newsletter at www.basketballintelligence.net for all the best NBA stories hand-curated from around the web!

Basketball Intelligence is joined by NBA analyst Seth Partnow and intellectual property expert Mike Kasdan to discuss the wild Knicks-Raptors lawsuit. It's a fascinating deep dive filled with legal and basketball nuances as they discuss trade secrets, how much of a competitive edge the Raptors could really gain, how common this is within the league, damages, and much more. Check out the daily newsletter at www.basketballintelligence.net for all the best NBA stories hand-curated from around the web!

Ray LeBov and Mike Shearer speak with the godfather of NBA analytics, Dean Oliver. He discusses why we're talking about defense wrong, his new book, how coaching is different than a front office role, Kristaps Porzingis' love of numbers, and how the four factors have changed over time.Check out the daily newsletter at www.basketballintelligence.net for all the best NBA stories hand-curated from around the web!

Ray and Mike speak with The Box And One's Adam Spinella, the multitalented coach and scout. We discuss his favorite picks, his issues with quiet personalities being unfairly judged, an awesome Cam Whitmore story,  Anthony Black's shooting mechanic, second-round steals, and more!Check out the daily newsletter at www.basketballintelligence.net for all the best NBA stories hand-curated from around the web!

Ray LeBov and Corban Ford talk with Krysten Peek, draft expert from Yahoo Sports. On the eve of the draft, she talks about Brandon Miller vs. Scoot Henderson, some risers and fallers, how she navigates the flood of misinformation at this time of year, what it's like watching these young men grow up over the years, and more! Check out the daily newsletter at www.basketballintelligence.net for all the best NBA stories hand-curated from around the web!

Mike Shearer and Ray LeBov interview Fran Fraschilla, the longtime coach, scout, and analyst, to discuss his new role coaching the USA Men's 3x3 team. They talk about the upcoming Olympics, the thrill of representing the USA, the shadow of the Serbians, how Fran developed his international scouting expertise, and how he shut down Michael Malone in college.Check out the daily newsletter at www.basketballintelligence.net for all the best NBA stories hand-curated from around the web!

Basketball Intelligence's Ray LeBov and Mike Shearer host Scott Rochelle, head of the National Basketball Retired Players Association, for a fascinating conversation about players' lives after basketball. They talk about the evolution of the NBRPA, the health, educational, and community work it provides for members and communities, how it presents emerging business opportunities to members, the impressive impact of its WNBA cohort, and so much more. Enjoy!Check out the daily newsletter at www.basketballintelligence.net for all the best NBA stories hand-curated from around the web!

Ray LeBov of Basketball Intelligence is joined by No Ceilings' Nathan Grubel to discuss some of the most interesting future NBA players in the NCAA Tournament today.Check out the daily newsletter at www.basketballintelligence.net for all the best NBA stories hand-curated from around the web!

Basketball Intelligence's Mike Shearer talks with Stephen Cagan from NBA University about all things Magic. Come for the discussion about Franz Wagner's upside, Paolo Banchero's defense, and Markelle Fultz's surprisingly positive fit on the team, but stay to hear about Wendell Carter's weirdly normal proportions!Stephen also offers his insights into Jonathan Isaac, Jalen Suggs, the Magic front office, and more!Check out the daily newsletter at www.basketballintelligence.net for all the best NBA stories hand-curated from around the web!

Hosts Mike Shearer and Ray LeBov speak with Maxwell Baumbach, from the No Ceilings NBA draft collective, about eight rookies who have exceeded expectations.They discuss what expectations were coming out of college, how they've been successful in the NBA, and what circumstances have allowed them to succeed in the league.In order:Andrew NembhardDyson DanielsWalker KesslerTari EasonAJ GriffinDavid Roddy Christian KolokoChristian BraunCheck out the daily newsletter at www.basketballintelligence.net for all the best NBA stories hand-curated from around the web!

We get into the the Kings' offseason additions, the impact of coach Mike Brown on the team's defense, De'Aaron Fox's resurgence, the repercussions of the Tyrese Haliburton trade for Domantas Sabonis, and, of course, the victory beam (and just how bright that thing is!).Check out the daily newsletter at www.basketballintelligence.net for all the best NBA stories hand-curated from around the web!

Mike Shearer and Ray LeBov talk with Chris Hine from the Star Tribune about the  Minnesota Timberwolves' start to the season. We cover KAT, Gobert, rebounding, meeting expectations,  Anthony Edwards, the popularity of Jordan McLaughlin, D'Angelo Russell, Popeyes, and more!Check out the daily newsletter at www.basketballintelligence.net for all the best NBA stories hand-curated from around the web!

Ray and Mike talk with Jason about all things Blazers, including the team's surprising defense, Shaedon Sharpe, Chauncey Billups, Damian Lillard, Joe Cronin, and why Josh Hart might be Jason's favorite Blazer this yearCheck out the daily newsletter at www.basketballintelligence.net for all the best NBA stories hand-curated from around the web!

Ray and Mike talk with analyst nonpareil Caitlin Cooper of Indy Cornrows about the surprisingly fun Indiana Pacers. We dive into the Haliburton/Mathurin backcourt, the Pacers' unconventional lineups, why Buddy Hield is the best option to guard power forwards, Tyrese's tricky low gather, and much more!Check out the daily newsletter at www.basketballintelligence.net for all the best NBA stories hand-curated from around the web!

Today, Basketball Intelligence's Ray LeBov and Mike Shearer talk with Utah Jazz reporters Sarah Todd, of Deseret News, and Eric Walden, of The Salt Lake Tribune. We cover the end of the old Jazz, coach Will Hardy, the team's fast start (and its sustainability), Collin Sexton, Lauri Markkanen, and why Eric's vacations are a good luck charm for Utah.Check out the daily newsletter at www.basketballintelligence.net for all the best NBA stories hand-curated from around the web!

Today on The Unrestricted Area, we interview Adam Finkelstein, the director of scouting at 247Sports and college basketball insider at CBS Sports, who wrote a fascinating piece interviewing front office executives and scouts about the early draft process. He touches upon how teams play the misinformation game, when teams actually start ranking players on their big board, how front offices feel about mock drafts, and what separates good scouts from great ones (hint: it's not the basketball acumen). It's an awesome peek behind the curtain at a secretive but essential process. Click here for his story at 247Sports.com.Check out the daily newsletter at www.basketballintelligence.net for all the best NBA stories hand-curated from around the web!

Hosts Mike Shearer and Ray LeBov talk to former NBA All-Star and current color analyst for the Milwaukee Bucks Marques Johnson for a Central Division Preview. We cover all five teams, touching upon the Bucks' injury situations (and opportunities they open for younger players), Patrick Williams' struggles, Johnson's high-ish hopes for the Pacers, why you should never wear an earring to an interview, and much more as he delivers his trademark brand of insightful commentary and insider anecdotes.Table of Contents:Intro: Milwaukee 12': Cleveland18': Chicago28': Indiana33': Detroit 41': Threats to Milwaukee in East Check out the daily newsletter at www.basketballintelligence.net for all the best NBA stories hand-curated from around the web!

Hosts Ray LeBov and Mike Shearer have a wide-ranging chat with coach and TrueHoop analyst David Thorpe. 0'-23': Which teams are contenders? What should Golden State do with Draymond?23': Which teams have the widest variance?35': Who are the most impactful new additions?46': Vic Wembanyama and the possibility of a tankathon56': Why coach Thorpe thinks NBA coaching is at an all-time lowCheck out the daily newsletter at www.basketballintelligence.net for all the best NBA stories hand-curated from around the web!

Ray LeBov and Michael Shearer of Basketball Intelligence talk with Syl Sobel, who co-authored a book on the Eastern Professional Basketball League, an early competitor to the NBA. They discuss the EPBL's rise and fall, racial quotas in the nascent NBA, and much more in this fascinating look back at the oldest professional basketball league in the country.Check out the daily newsletter at www.basketballintelligence.net for all the best NBA stories hand-curated from around the web!

Just days ahead of the 2022 NBA Draft, Ray is joined by two goliaths in the basketball world—ESPN Draft Analyst Fran Fraschilla and Yahoo Sports Draft Analyst Krysten Peek—for their thoughts on the upcoming class and the nuances of their craft. They start by discussing players who challenge the consensus (1:09) before moving on to the ideal landing spots for 'the big three' of Chet Holmgren, Paolo Banchero and Jabari Smith Jr. (6:50). Fran and Krysten share their takes on which prospects weren't able to show their full potential (16:08). Their conversation concludes with a dialogue about draft philosophy and navigating rumors.Follow Ray on Twitter @ticketrulesFollow Fran on Twitter @franfraschillaFollow Krysten on Twitter @krystenpeekThe Unrestricted Area is produced by @DylanHCarterCheck out the daily newsletter at www.basketballintelligence.net for all the best NBA stories hand-curated from around the web!

While most people are looking ahead at the 2022 NBA Draft, The Unrestricted Area is looking back at a surprising 2021 draft class and its performance versus pre-draft expectations. To break down the action, Ray and Dylan are joined by Jeremy Woo of Sports Illustrated. They discuss each of the following prospects: Cade Cunningham, Evan Mobley, Scottie Barnes, Jalen Green, Josh Giddey, Jonathan Kuminga, Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs, Ziaire Williams, Herb Jones and Jose Alvarado.Follow Ray on Twitter @ticketrulesFollow Jeremy on Twitter @JeremyWooThe Unrestricted Area is produced by @DylanHCarterCheck out the daily newsletter at www.basketballintelligence.net for all the best NBA stories hand-curated from around the web!

Ray is joined by basketball analytics pioneer Seth Partnow to discuss his new book, 'The Midrange Theory,' and related topics. These include what makes analytics abstract to some sports fans & professionals (4:02), how the concepts dissected in Seth's book apply to the NBA and most recent rule changes (13:56), and how NBA teams apply analytics (28:36).Follow Ray on Twitter @ticketrulesFollow Seth on Twitter @SethPartnowBuy Seth's book: (Tap here to visit Triumph Books)The Unrestricted Area is produced by @DylanHCarterCheck out the daily newsletter at www.basketballintelligence.net for all the best NBA stories hand-curated from around the web!

Defense is returning in a big way this NBA season and a new generation of star perimeter defenders is carving its path. To discuss this revelation, Ray is joined by Head Coach Adam Spinella of Boys' Latin School (MD) and 'The Box and One.' The tandem discusses six players: Luguentz Dort (3:58), Matisse Thybulle (5:50), Davion Mitchell (8:38), Gary Payton II (13:11) Devin Vassell (15:40), Jae'Sean Tate (22:59), and Herb Jones (26:12). They close out with a conversation about defensive philosophy, the influence of coaching, and scouting for defense. Subscribe to Basketball Intelligence on Substuck: basketballintelligence.substack.comFollow Ray on Twitter @ticketrulesFollow Adam on Twitter @Spinella14/@TheBoxAndOne_Subscribe to The Box and One on Substack: theboxandone.substack.comThe Unrestricted Area is produced by @DylanHCarterCheck out the daily newsletter at www.basketballintelligence.net for all the best NBA stories hand-curated from around the web!

Ray is joined by Head Coach Adam Spinella of Boys' Latin School (MD) and 'The Box and One' to discuss his recent piece entitled If I Ran an NBA Scouting Department, which considers the intricacies of professional basketball scouting and a few rules of thumb to ensure a successful operation.Subscribe to Basketball Intelligence on Substuck: basketballintelligence.substack.comFollow Ray on Twitter @ticketrulesFollow Adam on Twitter @Spinella14/@TheBoxAndOne_Subscribe to The Box and One on Substack: theboxandone.substack.comThe Unrestricted Area is produced by @DylanHCarterCheck out the daily newsletter at www.basketballintelligence.net for all the best NBA stories hand-curated from around the web!

The Athletic's John Hollinger joins Ray LeBov to look around the league and share some insight regarding the nuances of modern-day team-building. The conversation was sparked by a recent article published by Hollinger entitled In a suddenly win-now NBA, what happens later?   Subscribe to Basketball Intelligence on Substuck: basketballintelligence.substack.comFollow Ray on Twitter @ticketrulesFollow John on Twitter  @JohnHollingerThe Unrestricted Area is produced by @DylanHCarterCheck out the daily newsletter at www.basketballintelligence.net for all the best NBA stories hand-curated from around the web!

Ray is joined by two special guests: Famed basketball coach and analyst Fran Fraschilla and Adam Spinella, Head Coach at the Boys' Latin School of Maryland. During the episode, they break down the latest NBA draft class including a wide variety of prospects. In this episode, you'll gain valuable insight into how they analyze prospects during the pre-draft process. Follow Ray on Twitter @ticketrulesFollow Fran on Twitter @franfraschillaFollow Adam on Twitter @Spinella14Check out the best in basketball writing at basketballintelligence.substack.com.Check out the daily newsletter at www.basketballintelligence.net for all the best NBA stories hand-curated from around the web!

In today's episode, Ray LeBov is joined by Seth Partnow, a renowned pioneer in basketball analytics and NBA Analyst for The Athletic. Their conversation begins by touching on Seth's long list of accomplishments before discussing the role of analytics in front office/coaching at the professional level, how to properly apply analytics and how they're impacting the game today.Follow Seth on Twitter @SethPartnowFollow Ray on Twitter @ticketrulesThe Unrestricted Area is produced by @DylanHCarterCheck out the daily newsletter at www.basketballintelligence.net for all the best NBA stories hand-curated from around the web!

Ray is re-joined by authors of biographical books about the careers of influential basketball players. Eric Brach shares stories of the subject of his book, 'Billy "the Hill" and the Jump Hook: The Autobiography of a Forgotten Basketball Legend.' Bob Kuska discusses the creative process behind his book, 'Shake and Bake: The Life and Times of NBA Great Archie Clark,' and the legacy that Clark left on the game. In Part 2 of their conversation, the trio discusses the role of race in these players' experiences, what it's like to get a basketball book published, and shared anecdotes from their time spent with these basketball legends.Follow Ray on Twitter @ticketrulesEric's Amazon link: Click hereBob's Amazon link: Click hereCheck out the daily newsletter at www.basketballintelligence.net for all the best NBA stories hand-curated from around the web!

Ray is joined by two authors of biographical books recalling the careers of influential basketball players. Bob Kuska discusses the creative process behind his book, 'Shake and Bake: The Life and Times of NBA Great Archie Clark,' and the legacy that Clark left on the game. Eric Brach shares stories of the subject of his book, 'Billy "the Hill" and the Jump Hook:The Autobiography of a Forgotten Basketball Legend.'Follow Ray on Twitter @ticketrulesEric's Amazon link: Click hereBob's Amazon link: Click hereCheck out the daily newsletter at www.basketballintelligence.net for all the best NBA stories hand-curated from around the web!

Ray is joined by two guests today: Adam Spinella, an esteemed basketball writer and assistant coach at Dickinson College and Dylan Hunter Carter, podcaster and basketball writer at FanSided. The trio discusses some of the intriguing young players around the NBA including three rookies, two sophomores and two wildcards!Follow Ray on Twitter @ticketrulesFollow Adam on Twitter @Spinella14Follow Dylan on Twitter @DylanHCarterCheck out the best in basketball writing at BasketballIntelligence.net!Check out the daily newsletter at www.basketballintelligence.net for all the best NBA stories hand-curated from around the web!

Ray is joined by Adam Spinella, an esteemed basketball writer and assistant coach at Dickinson College to discuss the NBA Draft. The duo discussed marquee prospects like R.J. Hampton and Tyrell Terry, the impact that COVID-19 had on the draft evaluation process, draft-day trades and more!Follow Ray on Twitter @ticketrulesFollow Adam on Twitter @Spinella14Check out the best in basketball writing at BasketballIntelligence.net!Check out the daily newsletter at www.basketballintelligence.net for all the best NBA stories hand-curated from around the web!