Best of the Week: Paul George, Dion Waiters and more
Nov 27, 2013; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard Dion Waiters during the fourth quarter against the Miami Heat at Quicken Loans Arena. Miami won the game 95-84. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Each week, the internet is filled with basketball writing from a number of sources. And each week, Right Down Euclid co-editor Chris Manning will be compiling them for you reading pleasure, starting with the best from Right Down Euclid and moving on to the entire NBA and beyond. This week features a brilliant essay on why we watch the NBA, information on the NBA’s new stats and more. Have a suggestion? Tweet Chris @cwmwrites or e-mail him at christopherwmanning@gmail.com.
From Right Down Euclid
Anthony Bennett to the D-League would boost confidence by Kevin Stankiewicz
Our own young blood Kevin Stankiewicz wrote about why he thinks Anthony Bennett should go to the D-League.
What the Cavaliers passing says about their offense by Chris Manning
I wrote about what the Cavaliers passing says about their offense. Hint: it’s not good.
Why the Cavaliers should trade Dion Waiters by Mike Schreiner
Mike Schreiner gives lays out why the Cavaliers should trade Dion Waiters and also gives some possible trade destinations for the second year guard.
Cavaliers Related Writing
What to do with Dion Waiters? by Sam Vecenie
Fear The Sword’s Sam Vecenie takes a look at what the Cavaliers should do with enigmatic shooting guard Dion Waiters. One point he makes that I wholeheartedly agree with: The best things the Cavaliers can do is try Waiters out in different scenarios and find out where he fits best.
Making sense of Dion Waiters’ present and future by Jacob Rosen
Over at Waiting for Next Year, Jacob Rosen statistically breaks down Dion Waiters and tries to figure out where Waiters will fit best on this Cavaliers team, considering that fact that the 21-year-old has been yanked around quite a bit and hasn’t been given a real chance to settle into a role and find his role. Rosen has another must read on Waiters which you can find here.
Cleveland Cavaliers still learning how to feed Andrew Bynum in the post by Mary Schmitt Boyer
When you watch the Cavaliers, it’s clear that the Cavaliers are still struggling to figure out how to incorporate Andrew Bynum into the offense. With quotes from ESPN analyst and former 76ers coach Doug Collins, this is a Plain Dealer Cavaliers feature actually worth your time.
The Headlines
Cavaliers open to trading Dion Waiters
Mark Cuban: NBA should discuss allowing HGH use
Charlotte Hornets will purple-and-teal colors
Wizards’ Beal to miss at least two weeks
Wolves trade Williams to Kings for Mbah a Moute
Nowitzki passes Garnett on all-time scoring list
Korver nears NBA record, is injured
Lakers sign Kobe Bryant to two-year extension
Jason Kidd fined $50,000 for intentionally spilling drink
From Around the Web
Al Horford’s Atlanta Hawks off to a Solid Start by Jared Dubin
Atlanta quietly may be the third best team in the Eastern Conference and it’s not just because everyone outside of Indiana and Miami is horrible. The Hawks, lead by Al Horford, are playing solid, if unspectacular, basketball.
Big Jerk, Bigger Hero by Dave Hollander
Rick Berry (aka the go who shot underhanded free throws) was apparently a jerk. But he also has an overlooked importance in the establishment of free agency.
An Oral History of the Malice at the Palace by Jonathan Abrams
The Malice at the Palace is one of the first sporting events I ever remember watching and being taken away from the TV by my parents. I may or may not have also had a Jermaine O’Neal number seven Pacers jersey in the sixth grade. This oral history by Abrams (who without question, is one of the best) is fantastic.
Brad Stevens’ storybook isn’t storybook by Jackie MacMullan
This piece was referred to me by our own Marlowe Alter and I was glad he sent it my way. After reading this, you must be crazy if you aren’t enamored with Brad Stevens.
Setting the Pace by Zach Lowe
Paul George – with a few kinks in his armor – is emerging as a true superstar and Grantland guru Zach Lowe is here to tell you why. For more reading on George, here’s a piece from the Indianapolis Star that highlights how last years’ Game 7 loss fuels him today.
Derrick Rose Knee Injury the latest blow for Adidas Basketball by Kurt Badenhausen
Derrick Rose’s injury not only will affect the Chicago Bulls, but also the once competitive basketball shoe market. And, as this article from Forbes points out, Nike is closer than ever to having a monopoly on the show market.
Monta Ellis Returning to his old sound by Cole Patty
Monta Ellis has been shockingly very good this season and over at Hickory High, Cole Patty has a nice piece on how his play is nostalgic and uncertain at the same time.
Has John Wall taken the next step? by Thomas Pruitt
At Bullets Forever, Thomas Pruitt takes a look at Wizards point guard John Wall and whether he has taken the next step from very good to elite. And the stats seem to show that Wall is indeed an elite player.
The hockey assist in the NBA: more valuable than we thought? by Kevin Yeung
Lastly from the web, Kevin Yeung from SB Nation’s Grizzly Bear Blues takes a look at the importance of hockey assists (i.e. secondary assists) in the NBA. A must read for anyone interested in advanced stats.
From the Archives
Beliveland by Wright Thompson
I’m a huge Wright Thompson fan and this is one of my favorite pieces by him. He perfectly captures the Cleveland mindset in “Believeland”, and considering LeBron’s recent trip to the shores of Lake Erie, it’s worth revisiting.
The Two And Only by Bob Ryan
Part of me wishes I had been born in the 1980s so I could have lived the Magic Johnson-Larry Bird rivalry in person. But because of the SI Vault, we can look back and relive the era through this feature.