Monday Daily Duncs

Here's the latest installment of our Daily Duncs: a curated list of writing, video, and podcasts on a near-daily basis for subscribers. You can read, watch, and listen to exactly what Danny and I are consuming every day if you so choose.

Denver Nuggets' Michael Porter Jr. to undergo back surgery, be out indefinitely (ESPN)

  • Woj with the latest on MPJ. 

Nuggets' Michael Porter Jr. expected to miss rest of season due to back surgery: Sources (The Athletic)

  • Shams and John Hollinger with more on the Porter news. 

It’s Warriors, Suns and everybody else; scouting Duke’s Paolo Banchero: Hollinger’s Week That Was (The Athletic)

  • John Hollinger on two contenders out West, Alperen Sengun, and Duke’s Paolo Banchero. 

Power Rankings, Week 7: Warriors, Suns on top before 2 matchups this week (NBA.com)

  • John Schuhmann’s latest power rankings, headlined by Phoenix and Golden State ahead of their big matchups this week. 

John Wall’s return to the court: How can it benefit the Rockets? Will there be significant change in roster rotation? (The Athletic)

  • Kelly Iko and John Hollinger go back and forth on John Wall and the Rockets. 

Sources: Milwaukee Bucks signing center DeMarcus Cousins to non-guaranteed deal (ESPN)

  • Woj on DeMarcus Cousins landing in Milwaukee. 

Steph Curry on Warriors' trek back to top: 'Watching the bubble was the lowest point' (Yahoo Sports)

  • Chris Haynes chats with Stephen Curry about the Warriors getting back into contention, and much more. 

Video: Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso dominate on defense (Thinking Basketball)

  • Ben Taylor takes a closer look at Chicago’s stellar defensive duo in the backcourt. 

Jaden Ivey, Justin Bean, E.J. Lidell and the upperclassmen NBA draft prospects who’ve caught my eye (The Athletic)

  • John Hollinger highlights several prospects that have stood out early on in the season.

The Nuggets have never been better, but their fans can’t watch them on TV. Your NBA market could be next (The Athletic)

  • Mike Vorkunov on the local TV rights in Denver and how the issue may affect more fan bases moving forward. 

Nets notebook: How Brooklyn has adjusted this season (NBA.com)

  • John Schuhmann on the Nets. 

Bradley Beal’s brave new world: How Washington’s star is maturing and why it matters (The Athletic)

  • Josh Robbins on Bradley Beal adjusting in his role with this new iteration of the Wizards. 

Is Frank Vogel’s seat warm? Time to panic? Lakers have more questions than answers a quarter of the season in (The Athletic)

  • Sam Amick on the Lakers. 

Giannis Antetokounmpo and his continuing basketball evolution: What he tells us about his growth as a player (The Athletic)

  • Eric Nehm chat with Giannis about the continued evolution of his game. 

Gary Payton II, the Warriors’ revelation, explains his old school mindset (The Athletic)

  • Marcus Thompson on Gary Payton II finding a home in Golden State. 

How can the Bulls beat these zone defenses? (Noh’s Notebook)

  • Steph Noh on how the Bulls can attack zone defenses. 

‘He looks amazing’: How LaMarcus Aldridge went from retired to Nets’ X-factor (The Athletic)

  • Alex Schiffer on LaMarcus Aldridge finding his way back to the league, and to the Nets. 

Ivica Zubac is anchoring a stifling defense (Clips Nation)

  • Sabreena Merchant on Ivica Zubac. 

Is the NCAA Still the Best Path for Future NBA Prospects? (Bleacher Report)

  • Jake Fischer on the growing landscape for NBA prospects. 

Exploring the ups and downs of how the Pacers defend by situation (Indy Cornrows)

  • Caitlin Cooper with a deep dive on Indiana’s defense. 

2021 NBA rookies: Why this year's class is ahead of the curve on defense (ESPN+)

  • Mike Schmitz and Kevin Pelton on some rookies that have impressed on the defensive end of the floor. 

Sunday Musings: Opportunity knocks, will Marvin Bagley answer? (The Kings Beat)

  • James Ham on Marvin Bagley. 

Clippers’ turnovers continue to spoil what could be a special defense (The Athletic)

  • Law Murray on an emerging issue for the Clippers. 

Clippings: 10 thoughts for the last 10 games (Clips Nation)

  • Sabreena Merchant with some takeaways from a .500 stretch for the Clippers. 

Michael Malone deserves patience in an impossible situation (Denver Stiffs)

  • Ryan Blackburn on Michael Malone and the Nuggets navigating an injury-riddled start to the season.

The offensive ascension of Cole Anthony (Orlando Pinstriped Post)

  • Garrett Townsend on Cole Anthony. 

Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen are the NBA’s newest, coolest wrecking crew (Roll Call Sports Network)

  • Lucas Kaplan on the Mobley-Allen duo in Cleveland. 

NBA mailbag: Could LeBron's suspension spark success for Los Angeles Lakers? (ESPN+)

  • Kevin Pelton on double-digit leads, evaluating on-off numbers, and more.