NBA Daily Links: 10.17.15

PHILOSOPHICAL QUOTE OF THE DAY:

“It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.”

-Charles Darwin

================================

NBA:

NBA teams looking forward to $1 billion in salary cap space in 2016

http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2015/10/16/9529643/nba-free-agency-2016-salary-cap-space-billions?ref=yfp

 

A look at each team’s cap position

http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nba-pm-salary-cap-snapshot-2-4-billion-in-contracts/

 

Who goes from lottery to playoffs?

http://www.si.com/nba/2015/10/16/knicks-thunder-heat-pacers-kevin-durant-carmelo-anthony-paul-george-dwyane-wade

 

Early surprises, let downs of preseason

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2579759-nba-preseason-2015-early-surprises-and-disappointments

 

NBA’s growing middle class will force teams to pull of balancing act

http://www.si.com/nba/2015/10/16/knicks-lakers-kings-hornets-nba-middle-class

 

Probe of police conduct in Thabo Sefolosha’s arrest progressing

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/13902339/investigation-police-conduct-thabo-sefolosha-arrest-progressing

 

Heat rises on sports fantasy betting games

http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2015/10/16/top-nevada-gambling-official-hits-back-draftkings-accusation-casino-influence/9inAokhBhSZKYFLcxRUbyJ/story.html

 

What’s next for the daily fantasy industry?

http://espn.go.com/chalk/story/_/id/13901061/chalk-next-draftkings-fanduel-daily-fantasy-industry

 

LAMAR ODOM:

Odom conscious, breathing on his own

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/13902999/lamar-odom-conscious-breathing-own-las-vegas-hospital

https://www.yahoo.com/celebrity/spokeswoman-for-lamar-odoms-aunt-says-he-woke-up-213443036.html

 

Odom speaks, may have serious damage to vital organs

http://edition.cnn.com/2015/10/16/us/lamar-odom-condition/

 

Lamar Odom not the first to pay steep price for NBA stardom

http://nypost.com/2015/10/16/lamar-odom-not-first-to-pay-steep-price-for-nba-stardom/

 

League rallies around Lamar Odom

http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nba-am-league-rallies-around-lamar-odom/

 

A look back at Lamar Odom’s dramatic rise and fall in the NBA

http://www.people.com/article/lamar-odom-nba-career-dramatic-rise-fall

 

Odom’s health improves, but Lakers concerns remain

http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20151015/lamar-odoms-health-improves-but-lakers-concerns-remain

 

Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom’s aunt speak out, thank fans

http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20151016/khloe-kardashian-lamar-odoms-aunt-speak-out-thank-fans

 

Popovich, Green pulling for ailing Odom

http://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/Spurs-notes-Popovich-Green-pulling-for-ailing-6574769.php

 

Larry Brown always admired the way Odom played

http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nba/dallas-mavericks/full-court-press-blog/article39567471.html

 

76ERS:

Eating too much and avoiding rehab may end Joel Embiid’s career prematurely

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2015/10/16/eating-too-much-and-avoiding-rehab-may-lead-to-a-premature-end-to-joel-embiids-nba-career/?ref=yfp

 

Covert dealings, Embiid’s attitude are undermining Philadelphia’s process

http://www.si.com/thecauldron/2015/10/16/philadelphia-76ers-sam-hinkie-joel-embiid-brett-brown-process

 

Brown dismisses SI article as noise

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/20151018_Brown_dismisses_SI_story_as__noise_.html

 

BUCKS:

Content is everything for the intriguing Bucks

http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2015/10/16/9238967/milwaukee-bucks-preview-greg-monroe-giannis-antetokounmpo?ref=yfp

 

How Greg Monroe came to choose the Bucks over the Knicks and Lakers

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/how-greg-monroe-came-to-choose-the-bucks-over-the-knicks-and-lakers-084520720.html

 

Even with new players, Bucks hope defense will remain strong

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/bucks/even-with-new-players-bucks-hope-defense-will-remain-strong-b99598028z1-333409131.html

 

BULLS:

Bulls working to get defense up to level of past performance

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/ct-defense-work-in-progress-bulls-spt-1017-20151016-story.html

 

No longer a top 10 NBA point guard, it’s time for Derrick Rose to reclaim his turf

http://chicago.suntimes.com/basketball/7/71/1025672/longer-top-10-nba-point-guard-time-derrick-rose-reclaim-turf

 

Portis creating a good problem for the Bulls

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2579646-bobby-portis-emergence-creating-new-challenges-for-chicago-bulls-frontcourt

 

Noah’s summer of revival

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/25342065/how-joakim-noahs-california-summer-could-make-bulls-a-contender

 

CAVALIERS:

LeBron gets injection in back, likely to miss rest of preseason

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/13900442/cleveland-cavaliers-lebron-james-gets-injection-back-likely-miss-rest-preseason

http://www.ohio.com/blogs/cleveland-cavaliers/cleveland-cavaliers-1.275356/sources-lebron-james-received-injection-in-back-this-week-unlikely-to-play-again-in-preseason-1.632783?localLinksEnabled=false&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed

 

It may be time for Dan Gilbert to step in and help end Tristan Thompson’s holdout

http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2015/10/tristan_thompson_5.html#incart_social_feature

 

LeBron makes cameo on ‘Survivor’s Remorse’

http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2015/10/lebron_james_makes_cameo_on_su.html#incart_river

 

CELTICS:

C’s get sloppy in first preseason loss

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/celtics_nba/boston_celtics/2015/10/celtics_notebook_cs_get_sloppy_in_first_preseason_loss_to

 

Revisiting Boston’s top training camp storylines

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/celtics/post/_/id/4720615/revisiting-bostons-top-training-camp-storylines

 

Celtics want more from Olynyk

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/celtics_nba/boston_celtics/2015/10/bulpett_celtics_want_more_from_kelly_olynyk

 

Celtics more matchup-friendly than ever

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/celtics_nba/celtics_insider/2015/10/celtics_more_matchup_friendly_than_ever

 

James Young still learning place in rotation

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2015/10/16/james-young-still-learning-place-celtics-rotation/lWDS0rkSbWuIlXKOzP9y3J/story.html

 

CLIPPERS:

Rivers: China trip brought team together

http://www.nba.com/clippers/rivers-china-trip-brought-team-together?ref=yfp

 

GRIZZLIES:

Matt Barnes talks Memphis love and basketball

http://www.commercialappeal.com/sports/grizzlies/Three-Questions-Grizzlies-Matt-Barnes-on-Memphis-love-and-basketball-333283651.html

 

HAWKS:

Observations from Hawks-Mavs game

http://www.myajc.com/news/sports/basketball/five-observations-from-hawks-mavericks-exhibition-/nn4yY/?icmp=ajc_internallink_referralbox_free-to-premium-referral

 

Hawks switch lineup vs Mavs

http://www.myajc.com/news/sports/basketball/hawks-switch-lineup-versus-mavericks/nn4wN/?icmp=ajc_internallink_referralbox_free-to-premium-referral

 

HEAT:

Heat not built for three-point barrage, but still hope to improve from long distance

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nba/miami-heat/article39565740.html

 

James Ennis playing to his strengths

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/fl-miami-heat-main-1017-20151016-story.html

 

HORNETS:

Unselfish Hornets could have more punch in 2015-16

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2015/10/16/unselfish-hornets-could-have-more-offensive-punch-in-2015-16/74052596/?ref=yfp

 

Hornets sign Damien Wilkins

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nba/charlotte-hornets/article39396558.html

 

How much have the Hornets improved?

http://www.basketballinsiders.com/how-much-have-the-charlotte-hornets-improved/

 

JAZZ:

Exum on a good path 2 months after tearing ACL

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3068445-155/utah-jazz-dante-exum-on-a

 

The Jazz are fast-rising, but is a leap in store?

http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2015/10/16/9492463/utah-jazz-preview-rudy-gobert-gordon-hayward

 

KINGS:

Kings hope Divac’s offseason moves fill numerous holes

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/kings-hope-divacs-offseason-moves-fill-numerous-holes-171954188–nba.html

 

For three Kings, preseason finale is a Kentucky homecoming

http://www.sacbee.com/sports/nba/sacramento-kings/kings-blog/article39564138.html

 

Comparing point guards Rondo and Collison

http://www.sacbee.com/sports/nba/sacramento-kings/article39468387.html

 

KNICKS:

After worst season, rebuilt Knicks look to win now

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/worst-season-rebuilt-knicks-look-win-now-174715252–nba.html

 

Porzingis tension with Knicks: Pain-free and inactive

http://nypost.com/2015/10/15/kristaps-porzingis-tension-with-knicks-pain-free-and-inactive/

 

Melo’s body and mind healed – and it shows

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/melo-body-mind-healed-shows-article-1.2401021

 

LAKERS:

Kobe’s latest injury is not a cause for concern

http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/lakersnow/la-sp-ln-lakers-kobe-bryant-injured-leg-20151016-story.html

 

MAGIC:

With new coach and attitude, Magic eyeing big improvements

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/coach-attitude-magic-eyeing-big-improvements-163339312–nba.html

 

Elfrid Payton returns to practice

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/magic-basketblog/os-mbb-elfrid-payton-orlando-magic-practice-20151016-post.html

 

MAVERICKS:

Mark Cuban offers to pay for ex-Mavericks to have heart exams

http://www.sportingnews.com/nba/story/2015-10-16/mavericks-show-they-have-heart-for-former-players-nba-dallas-mark-cuban

http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/dallas-mavericks/headlines/20151016-after-recent-nba-deaths-mark-cuban-offers-older-ex-mavs-heart-help.ece

 

Cuban: Mavs can be better than last year if we’re healthy

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/25342644/mark-cuban-mavs-can-be-be-better-than-last-year-if-were-healthy

 

Why Dirk Nowitzki’s value to the Mavs is still clear as ever

http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/dallas-mavericks/20151016-why-dirk-nowitzki-s-value-to-the-mavericks-still-is-clear-as-ever.ece

 

NETS:

We found Lopez in a hopeless place: Your 2015-16 Nets

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/we-found-lopez-in-a-hopeless-place-your-2015-16-brooklyn-nets/

 

Lopez, Nets addressing defensive issues

http://www.newsday.com/sports/basketball/nets/brook-lopez-nets-addressing-defensive-issues-1.10974658

 

NUGGETS:

New coach, rookie point guard energize Nuggets

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/coach-rookie-point-guard-energize-nuggets-212037064–nba.html

 

Nuggets exhibiting a winning culture

http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_28977168/nuggets-exhibiting-winning-culture

 

Malone getting closer to finalizing Nuggets roster

http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_28982806/michael-malone-finalizing-nuggets-roster

 

PACERS:

Myles Turner ready for more minutes

http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nba/pacers/2015/10/16/pacers-myles-turner-ready-more-minutes-final-two-preseason-games/74074182/

 

PELICANS:

Nate Robinson says it’s a blessing to be back in the NBA

http://www.nola.com/pelicans/index.ssf/2015/10/nate_robinson_considers_it_a_b.html#incart_river

 

Pelicans waive Jerome Jordan

http://www.nola.com/pelicans/index.ssf/2015/10/new_orleans_pelicans_waive_cen_1.html#incart_river

 

PISTONS:

Pistons reaching point of tough roster decisions

http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2015/10/16/detroit-bad-boys-detroit-pistons-roster/74036208/

 

With roster more to SVG’s liking, Pistons move fast with trend to seek efficient shots

http://www.nba.com/pistons/features/roster-more-svgs-liking-pistons-moving-fast-nba-trend-seek-most-efficient-shots

 

RAPTORS:

Bruno Caboclo still long way from cracking lineup despite improvement

http://www.thestar.com/sports/raptors/2015/10/16/bruno-caboclo-still-long-way-from-cracking-raptors-lineup-despite-improvement.html

 

Shoot Patrick, just shoot

http://www.torontosun.com/2015/10/16/shoot-patrick-just-shoot

 

ROCKETS:

Dwight Howard compares himself to Nelson Mandela, Muhammed Ali, Michael Jordan

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/dwight-howard/os-mike-bianchi-saturday-circus-1017-20151016-column.html

 

Rockets ready for healthy reinforcements to arrive

http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2015/10/rockets-ready-for-healthy-reinforcements-to-arrive/

 

James Harden: Rising star on and off the court

http://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rockets/article/James-Harden-Rising-star-on-and-off-the-court-6572471.php?t=aa42158ca7438d9cbb&cmpid=twitter-premium

 

SPURS:

After lost season, Mills eager to return energy to Spurs bench

http://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/After-lost-season-Spurs-Mills-eager-to-return-6574757.php

 

SUNS:

Suns’ PG tandem on hold until preseason’s end

http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2015/10/16/suns-point-guard-tandem-hold-until-end-preseason/74085692/

 

Nuggets blow out Suns

http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2015/10/17/nuggets-blow-out-suns-preseason-game-nba/74108588/

THUNDER:

Will Dion Waiters score with contract extension?

http://espn.go.com/blog/okc-thunder/post/_/id/692/will-dion-waiters-score-with-contract-extension

 

OKC nemesis Matt Barnes injected into already spicy Thunder-Grizzlies rivalry

http://newsok.com/okc-nemesis-matt-barnes-injected-into-already-spicy-thunder-grizzlies-rivalry/article/5453821

 

TIMBERWOLVES:

Rubio hopes to make exhibition debut Saturday

http://www.twincities.com/timberwolves/ci_28981922/rubio-hopes-make-exhibition-debut-sunday

 

TRAIL BLAZERS:

Lillard expects 2015-16 to be a collective effort

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2015/10/16/lillard-expects-2015-16-blazers-to-be-a-collective-effort/74057986/?ref=yfp

 

Terry Stotts and ‘Blazers Basketball’

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2015/10/terry_stotts_and_blazers_basketball_players_action.html#incart_2box

 

Tim Frazier earning roster spot and Cliff Alexander returns (sort of)

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2015/10/trail_blazers_notes_tim_frazier_earning_roster_spo.html#incart_river

 

WARRIORS:

Bogut likely headed for surgery; Klay won’t travel to San Diego

http://www.csnbayarea.com/warriors/bogut-likely-headed-surgery-klay-wont-travel-san-diego?p=ya5nbcs&ocid=yahoo&ref=yfp

 

Warriors’ repeat big faces test with Kerr’s early absence

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/warriors-repeat-bid-faces-early-test-kerrs-absence-171438664–nba.html

 

Ezeli takes his shot-blocking role seriously

http://www.sfgate.com/sports/ostler/article/Warriors-Festus-Ezeli-takes-his-shot-blocking-6575012.php

 

What Golden State must do to repeat as champs

http://nba.nbcsports.com/2015/10/16/51-questions-three-things-golden-state-must-do-to-repeat-as-champs/

 

Warriors showing signs of pulling out of preseason funk

http://www.sfgate.com/sports/ostler/article/Warriors-showing-signs-of-pulling-out-of-6573586.php

 

Kerr joins Warriors for SoCal swing

http://www.sfgate.com/sports/ostler/article/Kerr-joins-Warriors-for-SoCal-swing-6573435.php

 

WIZARDS:

Among NBA’s fastest, Ish Smith races around preseason

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/wizards/among-nbas-fastest-ish-smith-races-around-preseason-trying-to-get-a-look/2015/10/16/05962124-7455-11e5-8d93-0af317ed58c9_story.html

 

Wizards socks are sure stylish but players have a few gripes

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/dc-sports-bog/wp/2015/10/16/wizards-new-on-court-socks-sure-are-stylish-but-the-players-have-a-few-gripes/

 

Peter Newmann is an analyst and writer who spent 10 years at ESPN, 8 as the NBA senior researcher working 24/7 on the league. He wrote game notes for crews, articles for ESPN.com, analysis for studio shows, and regularly assisted reporters and writers. Follow him on Twitter, and check out his Web site, www.peternewmann.com.