The 10-man rotation, starring Keyon Dooling telling his truth and taking control
A look around the league and the Web that covers it. It’s also important to note that the rotation order and starting nods aren’t always listed in order of importance. That’s for you, dear reader, to figure out.
C: Grantland. A bit late in getting to this, but Jordan Ritter Conn’s feature on former NBA guard Keyon Dooling’s ongoing efforts to come to grips with the sexual abuse he suffered as a child is as harrowing as it is illuminating.
PF: Blazersedge. An in-depth look at the Portland Trail Blazers’ weak weak-side defense last season, with an eye toward how Terry Stotts and company might tighten things up for the campaign ahead.
SF: SB Nation and The Triangle. Tom Ziller and Paul Flannery chop it up about whether the Cleveland Cavaliers will get the chance to just be fun rather than be pressed to contend for a title instantly, but Zach Lowe’s somewhat pessimistic about that: “The time is now for the Cavs, whether they like it or not.” (The good news is, he’s optimistic on their chances of contending, and thinks they might even enter the season as the favorite.)
SG: Eye on College Basketball. The Boston Celtics will honor one-time NBA prospect (and all-time NBA draftee) Isaiah Austin during an Opening Night ceremony. Pretty cool stuff, Celtics.
PG: Eye on Basketball and The Triangle. Matt Moore thinks hard about Carmelo Anthony and “superstar” status, and Kirk Goldsberry considers how the New York Knicks star’s unassisted-midrange-jumper-dominant offensive game fits in with the triangle offense preferred by new Knicks head coach Derek Fisher and president of basketball operations Phil Jackson.
6th: Grizzly Bear Blues and Memphis Commercial Appeal ($). Smart thoughts from Matt Hrdlicka and Chris Herrington on the big questions facing the Memphis Grizzlies this season, with a special emphasis on how Dave Joerger works through the myriad wing options at his disposal.
7th: San Antonio Express-News. Great stuff from the legendary Mike Malone on how Ettore Messina went from one of the most iconic and decorated coaches in European history to one of Gregg Popovich’s assistants this coming season.
8th: The Starters. Trey Kerby recalls the teams he’s hated throughout his life. Every one of us can relate to this.
9th: NBA.com. If you missed it Monday, go back and dig into the newly redesigned and more user-friendly Morning Tip from David Aldridge, which this week features (among other things) some smart thoughts on the NBA’s new multibillion-dollar television deal and a great Q&A with new (and feisty!) Washington Wizards forward Paul Pierce.
10th: Sports Illustrated. Rob Mahoney on how a $60 million contract extension for “awkward building block” Kenneth Faried makes sense in the context of a TV-deal-boosted salary cap that would still give the Denver Nuggets the room to build a complete roster.
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Dan Devine is an editor for Ball Don’t Lie on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter!
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