We're flipping our calendar at BasketballNews — but not before taking one look back at a memorable 2021.
Sports never cease to give us compelling storylines. Last year, they came from all places, from the pros in the U.S. and abroad, to college, to youth levels, and even off the basketball court. Below are some of our staff's best stories, arranged in several categories. Read the Best of BasketballNews 2021:
Best Features
Gary Payton II on growing up in father's shadow: 'We have two different paths' — by Kelsea O'Brien
Former NBA execs, Overtime Elite seek to revolutionize amateur-to-pro preparation — by Spencer Davies
Daniel Gafford, Wizards surging since trade: 'When I got here, it clicked automatically' — by Spencer Davies
Two-way threat: PJ Dozier reflects on whirlwind path to Nuggets — by Ethan Fuller
NBA G League Finals MVP Devin Cannady remains focused on bigger goals — by Kelsea O'Brien
There’s plenty of blame to go around for Frank Ntilikina’s failure — by Moke Hamilton
Nikola Vucevic may finally get credit he deserves with new-look Bulls — by Alex Kennedy
Meet JustÄ— JocytÄ—: 15-year-old phenom and professional record-breaker — by Ethan Fuller
Kristaps Porzingis' renewed confidence leading to resurgent season — by Evan Sidery
NBA G League star Scoot Henderson's aspirations far exceed the hype — by Spencer Davies
Best Interviews and Q&As
Richaun Holmes Q&A: 'I definitely feel I’m deserving of the All-Defensive Team' — with Alex Kennedy
Magic's R.J. Hampton Q&A: 'I don’t think you can put a cap on our ceiling' — with Alex Kennedy
The Rex Chapman Show with Josh Hopkins Episode 7 - Stephen Curry
The Rex Chapman Show: James Jones on Suns' culture change, player-to-GM leap
One-on-One: Derrick White, Spurs' youth trying to make a name for themselves — with Spencer Davies
One-on-One: Patrick Patterson opens up as Clippers begin playoff run — with Spencer Davies
Larry Nance Jr. Q&A: 'I did not come out here to half-ass this thing' — with Alex Kennedy
Jermaine O’Neal on reconciling with Metta World Peace: 'I didn't know about mental health' — with Etan Thomas
Markelle Fultz reveals what really happened with his shot, shoulder — with Etan Thomas
Thad Young on being blindsided by Spurs trade, trade rumors, key to longevity — with Alex Kennedy
Best Player Breakdowns
On Lock: How Jrue Holiday became the NBA Finals’ X-Factor — by Jannelle Moore
Enough 'no bag' talk: Giannis Antetokounmpo put the NBA on notice — by Nekias Duncan
Film study: What Kyle Lowry brings to the Miami Heat — by Nekias Duncan
Dime Fest: Breaking down Courtney Vandersloot's historic night — by Nekias Duncan
What does Marcus Smart at point guard look like for the Celtics? — by Ethan Fuller
Rudy Gay is injecting the Jazz with funk — by Mark Schindler
Is Jaren Jackson Jr. a star in the making, or something else? — by Matt Brooks
Dissecting Desmond Bane's growing role in the Grizzlies' offense — by Jackson Frank
Is Cade Cunningham a franchise player the Pistons can build around? — by Mat Issa and Bryce Simon
Making the NBA All-Star case for Cavs big man Jarrett Allen — by Bryan Fonseca
Best Team and League Breakdowns
To tank, or not to tank? Analyzing the Raptors' present and future — by Imman Adan
The NBA Draft Lottery is not rigged, and here's why — by Alex Kennedy
Why NBA bigs take more time to develop: 'They're used to imposing their will' — by Spencer Davies
As NBA offseason nears, which teams are in the dead money doldrums? — by Ethan Fuller
Suns create unnecessarily awkward situation by not extending Ayton — by Evan Sidery
Length matters: The NBA's long-ball revolution may be coming — by Imman Adan
The Grindhouse: How the Grizzlies are winning with defense — by Nekias Duncan
Tom Thibodeau isn’t the only reigning Coach of the Year to struggle — by Moke Hamilton
NBA Power Rankings: Bulls are hot, Warriors reclaim top spot from Suns — by Tommy Beer
Hornets' embarrassing defense sinking their enticing potential — by Evan Sidery
Best Opinion
Injuries Galore: The NBA’s all-too-soon return has made losers of us all — by Moke Hamilton
What can the NBA do to prevent more ugly fan incidents? — by Alex Kennedy
Rachel Nichols-Maria Taylor incident exposes ESPN’s racism, sexism — by Imman Adan
The discourse around NBA stars and super-teams is tiresome — by Spencer Davies
A beginner's guide to NBA stats: The three types of statistics — by Ethan Fuller
Which NBA players could have realistically played in the NFL? — by Alex Kennedy
No enhancement necessary: NBA should leave well enough alone — by Jannelle Moore
The Nets should be ashamed of themselves — by Nekias Duncan
Missing the forest through the trees on Christmas Day games — by Mark Schindler
NBA teams need to show more respect to veterans, and we're seeing why — by Bryan Fonseca
Best of the NBA Draft
2022 NBA Draft Big Board — by Matt Babcock
Behind the scenes with projected lottery pick James Bouknight — by Matt Babcock
Q&A: Draft prospect Nah'Shon 'Bones' Hyland demands your attention — by Alex Kennedy
2021 NBA Draft: Matt Babcock on rumors, trades, risers, fallers — by Ethan Fuller and Matt Babcock
The Little Guy From Bendigo: Dyson Daniels is unlike anyone else — by Spencer Davies
2022 NBA Draft Q&A: French big man Ismael Kamagate — by Jason Filippi
2022 NBA Draft: Jean Montero scouting report — by Doc Martin
Babcock’s Takeaways: Jabari Smith, Patrick Baldwin, Matthew Cleveland — by Matt Babcock
2022 NBA Draft: The evolution of Kansas guard Ochai Agbaji — by Derek Murray
2022 NBA Draft: Getting to know JD Davison, Alabama's native son — by Grant Aqui
Best Player Pieces
Behind the scenes of the Wizards' COVID-19 outbreak: 'It's been a wild season' — by Troy Brown Jr.
It’s a shame Carmelo Anthony didn’t end up in Portland sooner — by Kenyon Martin
My first time getting traded: Learning what it's like to be dealt in the NBA — by Troy Brown Jr.
After 20 years of public degradation, Kwame Brown is fed up — by Etan Thomas
Paul George is silencing his critics — by Etan Thomas
The NBA is a big business, and players should be allowed to act like it — by James Posey
LeBron James doesn’t seem to be succumbing to Father Time just yet — by James Posey