Good morning. In lieu of a traditional morning NBA newsletter, we’re presenting to you our top SB Nation NBA pieces of the year in 2016. Please don’t begrudge a bit of self-congratulation! And also, make sure you see what Kemba Walker did on Thursday night. (That would have earned 350 words were this a typical newsletter.)
Here are our best NBA stories of 2016
Good morning. Our year-end NBA newsletter has lots of reading material.
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Let’s retrospect.
THE FLANNERY FILES ...
The Timberwolves are taking baby steps to adulthood: Paul spent time in Minnesota before the season and wrote in depth about the transition from a collection of talent to a team.
This is why we need the NBA: Paul on the NBA’s reaction to and role in the Trump era.
Goodbye to Kevin Garnett, a maddening and brilliant muse: If you read one piece in this newsletter, make it this one.
Ty Lue has unlocked the Cavs’ potential: Professor Flannery was early to this story, pegging Cleveland’s trust in the new coach well before it was apparent to the rest of us.
Draymond Green is redefining NBA stardom, even if he didn’t mean to: Paul’s big feature from Draymond as he existed in our world before the kick-happy playoffs.
PRADA’S POSTS ...
Why James Harden is dominating in Houston’s system: This is my pick for Prada’s Pictures of the Year. Mike gets into just how James Harden can do what he does under Mike D’Antoni.
Thirty-six fun things to hunt for in the 2016 playoffs: This was really cool. Prada pulled out weird things certain players/teams do and highlighted them. Spoiler: some of the teams/players are still doing the same things.
FROM YOUR BOY IN CHICAGO, RICKY O’DONNELL ...
Those first two stories helped tell a story of how NBA players are being more socially aware and active in these times.
Basketball has never seen a player like superstar recruit Lonzo Ball: Ricky called his shot on this one, and was 100 percent right.
How Collin Sexton went from unranked to a five-star basketball recruit in one summer: These “hidden stories” of lightning bolt recruits are so fascinating. Ricky knows how to pick out the threads and yank until he finds something.
FROM INTERNATIONAL JETSETTER ZITO MADU ...
FROM OUR OTHER TALENTED FRIENDS ...
J.J. Redick’s quest to make every shot, by Mirin Fader
The complete, costly guide to dressing like Russell Westbrook, by Whitney Medworth
Kobe, from downtown, by Tyler Tynes
Life and basketball in the times of Kobe, by Jake Appleman
The Steven Adams encyclopedia, by Tim Cato
How fake trade rumors become news, by Seth Rosenthal
There is no “next year” for the Clippers, by John Gonzalez
The young Bucks have LeBron’s attention, by Kristian Winfield
DeMar DeRozan: The Raptors’ star hiding in plain sight, by Eric Koreen. This came before the enormous contract and scoring title threat, mind you.
Everything we loved about this historic Warriors season: This was a group post we wrote before the playoffs. In an updated version, Draymond’s body slam on Michael Beasley at the buzzer in the playoffs would be my favorite moment.
Dirk Nowitzki’s lonely journey, by Tim Cato
Russell Westbrook is whoever you want him to be, by Tim Cato
It was OKC’s time, until it suddenly wasn’t, by Tim Cato. (Why yes, Tim Cato did do work this year. Sheesh, kid.)
AND FINALLY, FROM YOURS TRULY ...
Happy New Year. Thank you for being a part of this crazy basketball internet world, and be excellent to each other.
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