NBA Daily Links: 10.21.15

October 21, 2015 by Pete Newmann

PHILOSOPHICAL QUOTE OF THE DAY:

“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.”

-Lao Tzu

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NBA:

NBA.com’s 2015-16 GM survey

http://www.nba.com/news/features/john_schuhmann/nba-com-2015-16-gm-survey/index.html?ref=yfp

The NBA’s new winning offensive formula

http://espn.go.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/13888388/nba-wins-modern-offenses-evolve

Shortfall checks sent out this week to NBA players

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2015/10/20/nba-players-shortfall-checks/74277174/

Every team’s greatest strength

http://www.sportingnews.com/list/4658763-strengths-season-nba-2015-16-offense-defense-lebron-james

Scouts evaluate all 30 teams

http://www.si.com/nba/2015/10/20/nba-scouts-preview-warriors-spurs-knicks-lakers-cavaliers-rockets

In today’s NBA, it’s a tall task trying to find good villains

http://www.nba.com/2015/news/features/steve_aschburner/10/20/real-lack-of-good-villains-in-todays-nba/

The NBA’s 100 best players

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/feature/25346238/nba-elite-100-1-20

The Annual NBA’s League Pass Rankings, Part 1

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/the-annual-nba-league-pass-rankings-part-1-2/

ESPN could lay off as many as 350 employees on Wednesday

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/report-espn-could-lay-off-202553211.html

LAMAR ODOM:

Lamar Odom feeling way better, but recovery will be long

http://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn-lamar-odom-improvement-20151020-story.html

Odom on kidney dialysis, may need transplant

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2015/10/20/lamar-odom-kidney-transplant-los-angeles-hospital-khloe-kardashian/74272614/

Finding Lamar Odom

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2580319-finding-lamar-odom-tracking-down-the-elusive-and-recently-embattled-former-star

Odom shows improvement in LA, takes steps

http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20151020/lamar-odom-shows-improvement-in-la-takes-steps

Kardashian & Harden’s relationship taking a back seat as Khloe focuses on Odom

https://www.yahoo.com/tv/s/khloe-kardashian-james-hardens-relationship-195400349.html

Ex-teammates Carter, Barnes happy for Odom

http://www.commercialappeal.com/sports/grizzlies/Ex-teammates-Carter-Barnes-happy-for-Odoms-release-from-hospital-334757261.html

FIBA:

Could Brad Stevens succeed Coach K as Team USA coach?

http://www.csnne.com/article/could-stevens-be-krzyzewskis-successor-team-usa

Colangelo says NBA coach likely to follow Coach K

http://espn.go.com/olympics/story/_/id/13936303/jerry-colangelo-says-next-usa-basketball-coach-likely-nba

Pop next coach?

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/writer/ken-berger/25345977/spurs-popovich-clear-no-1-choice-to-replace-coach-k-with-team-usa

NBA DRAFT:

Colleges cut to the chase, holding practices for just NBA scouts

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/21/sports/ncaabasketball/colleges-cut-to-the-chase-holding-practices-just-for-nba-scouts.html?ref=sports&_r=0&mtrref=www.nytimes.com&gwh=5BBADE4131C893292060626183222A06&gwt=pay

NCAA:

Ex-Louisville recruit: “Like I was in a strip club”

http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/13927159/former-louisville-cardinals-basketball-players-recruits-acknowledge-stripper-parties-minardi-hall

Celtics’ Rozier, Mickey named in Louisville sex scandal

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2015/10/20/rozier-mickey-named-louisville-sex-scandal/xn44CCGTRT70YKlSZj4CQN/story.html

Rick Pitino pleads for Andre McGee to tell the truth about alleged prostitution scandal

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/program-under-fire–rick-pitino-pleads-for-andre-mcgee-to–tell-the-truth–about-alleged-prostitution-scandal-195020295-ncaab.html

76ERS:

Hope in numbers for the Sixers

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/20151021_Hope_in_numbers_for_Sixers.html

Stauskas won’t play in preseason finale

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/20151021_Nik_Stauskas_won_t_play_in_76ers__preseason_finale.html

BUCKS:

Bucks give Madison fans a thrill with win over Wolves

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/bucks/bucks-give-madison-fans-a-thrill-with-victory-over-timberwolves-b99600058z1-334890511.html

Store owner apologizes to John Henson

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/bucks/store-owner-sincere-in-his-apology-bucks-john-henson-says-after-racial-profiling-incident-b99600060z-334712911.html

Vaughn turning heads early

http://www.basketballinsiders.com/milwaukee-bucks-rashad-vaughn-turning-heads-preseason-nba-2015-draft-steal/

BULLS:

Looking more like Joakim Noah will start season in reserve role

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/ct-joakim-noah-bulls-spt-1021-20151020-story.html

http://chicago.suntimes.com/basketball/7/71/1032981/fred-hoiberg-toying-idea-making-joakim-noah-reserve-bulls-beat-pacers

It’s good to be Jimmy Butler

http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/November-2015/Jimmy-Butler/

Can Bulls get over LeBron hump?

http://nba.nbcsports.com/2015/10/20/pbt-extra-bold-prediction-preview-can-bulls-get-over-lebron-hump/

CAVALIERS:

After 1-6 preseason, Cavs face big week before opener

http://espn.go.com/blog/cleveland-cavaliers/post/_/id/1235/after-a-1-6-preseason-cavs-face-big-week-before-opener

Varejao enters season healthy, ahead of schedule

http://www.ohio.com/sports/cavs/cavaliers-anderson-varejao-enters-season-healthy-ahead-of-schedule-in-return-from-achilles-injury-1.633976?localLinksEnabled=false&cache=18961415304345%2525252

CLIPPERS:

Lance Stephenson seeks redemption: I’ll have to prove myself again

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/lance-stephenson-seeks-redemption-with-clippers—i-have-to-prove-myself-again-165111623.html

Clippers rout Warriors

http://www.contracostatimes.com/breaking-news/ci_29000575/clippers-rout-warriors-exhibition

GRIZZLIES:

Udrih to use finale to prep for opener

http://www.commercialappeal.com/sports/grizzlies/udrih-plans-on-using-preseason-finale-to-prepare-for-opener-228f3a08-afb0-6ff4-e053-0100007f699c-334853061.html

HAWKS:

Bazemore battles to guard bigger players

http://www.myajc.com/news/sports/basketball/skinny-bazemore-battles-to-guard-bigger-players/nn6fG/?icmp=ajc_internallink_referralbox_free-to-premium-referral

HEAT:

Heat continues to study chemistry as regular season approaches

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nba/miami-heat/article40564272.html

Dragic stamina, Whiteside health now primary focus

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/miami-heat-goran-dragic-s102015-story.html

HORNETS:

Frank Kaminsky picks up on NBA nuances

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nba/charlotte-hornets/article40506960.html

Jeremy Lin, Kemba Walker backcourt pairing paying early dividends

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/scott-fowler/article40517874.html

JAZZ:

Has Withey earned a promotion?

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3083509-155/utah-jazz-notes-has-withey-earned

Jazz waive Cotton and Graham

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3082767-155/utah-jazz-waive-bryce-cotton-and

Re-energized Gobert raring to go

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865639419/Re-energized-Rudy-Gobert-raring-to-go-for-big-Jazz-season.html

KINGS:

Casspi’s confidence persists despite preseason struggles

http://www.sacbee.com/sports/nba/sacramento-kings/kings-blog/article40542870.html

KNICKS:

Isiah Thomas grades himself with the Knicks

http://espn.go.com/blog/newyork-knicks/post/_/id/63246/isiah-thomas-id-give-myself-a-c-minus-to-a-d-for-time-with-knicks

Dolan: No scenario where Isiah Thomas returns

http://espn.go.com/blog/newyork/knicks/post/_/id/63279/dolan-no-scenario-where-isiah-thomas-returns

Carmelo laughs at Knicks’ forecasts of 20-odd wins

http://nypost.com/2015/10/20/carmelo-anthony-laughs-at-knicks-forecasts-of-20-odd-wins/

LAKERS:

Lakers rest Kobe with regular season in mind

http://espn.go.com/losangeles/nba/story/_/id/13918716/kobe-bryant-losangeles-lakers-monday-second-straight-preseason-game

Lakers keep Sacre, waive Upshaw

http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/lakersnow/la-sp-ln-lakers-cut-robert-upshaw-keep-robert-sacre-20151020-story.html

http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20151020/lakers-cut-robert-upshaw-hold-on-to-robert-sacre

Lakers on hook for Holmes’ salary while he’s hurt

http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/lakersnow/la-sp-ln-lakers-jonathan-holmes-salary-20151020-story.html

Hibbert fosters team building with paintball event

http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20151019/lakers-roy-hibbert-fosters-team-building-with-paintball-event

MAGIC:

Magic plan to exercise their option on Napier

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/magic-basketblog/os-mbb-shabazz-napier-third-year-option-20151020-post.html?ref=yfp

Elfrid Payton’s hamstring injury threatens on-court chemistry

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/os-orlando-magic-elfrid-payton-1021-20151020-story.html

Dear Scott Skiles: Please just put Mario Hezonja on the court

https://grantland.com/the-triangle/2015-nba-preview-mario-hezonja-orlando-magic-scott-skiles/?ref=yfp

Growing up in a small town never hindered Jason Smith’s basketball development

http://www.nba.com/magic/news/growing-small-town-never-hindered-smiths-basketball-development?ref=yfp

MAVERICKS:

Mavs roster is starting to take shape but 1 spot is still up for grabs

http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/dallas-mavericks/headlines/20151020-sefko-mavs-roster-makeup-is-starting-to-take-shape-but-one-spot-is-still-up-for-grabs.ece

Parsons still unsure about opening-night return

http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nba/dallas-mavericks/article40561767.html

In an effort to believe, Mark Cuban sounds delusional

http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/the-big-mac-blog/article40547913.html

Mark Cuban says his team is a ‘technology product’

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/mark-cuban-says-basketball-team-003350225.html

NETS:

Injuries may help this big man make the Nets

http://nypost.com/2015/10/20/opportunity-knocks-injuries-may-help-this-big-man-make-nets/

NUGGETS:

Jusuf Nurkic return could come in November, coach Malone says

http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_28997609/nurkic-return-could-come-november-nuggets-coach-says

PACERS:

Q&A with Frank Vogel

http://espn.go.com/blog/nba/post/_/id/9860/qa-pacers-frank-vogel-talks-hoosiers-working-for-a-legend

Pacers show flexibility in preseason loss

http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nba/pacers/2015/10/20/pacers-show-flexibility-preseason-loss/74309004/

PELICANS:

Jrue Holiday set to play up to 15 minutes per game for remainder of preseason

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

Tyreke Evans has knee surgery for second time since May

http://www.nola.com/pelicans/index.ssf/2015/10/tyreke_evans_undergoes_success.html

Pelicans will need sharpshooting Gordon, healthy Holiday

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/pelicans/2015/10/20/pelicans-need-sharp-shooting-eric-gordon-healthy-jrue-holiday/74291690/

PISTONS:

Drummond slams breaks on Pistons extension

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/13932244/andre-drummond-decides-not-extend-detroit-pistons

Drummond shows faith in Pistons, waits on deal

http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2015/10/20/andre-drummond-detroit-pistons/74276936/

RAPTORS:

Raptors relishing Blue Jays playoff run

http://www.thestar.com/sports/raptors/2015/10/20/raptors-relishing-blue-jays-playoff-run.html

Raptors offense needs a revival

http://www.torontosun.com/2015/10/20/raptors-offence-needs-a-revival

ROCKETS:

Ty Lawson, James Harden mixing well

http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2015/10/ty-lawson-james-harden-mixing-well-together/

Harden puts in extra work on his shot

http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2015/10/james-harden-puts-in-extra-work-on-shot/?utm_source=http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=offpage-widget-dealer-spotlight&utm_content=http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2015/10/james-harden-puts-in-extra-work-on-shot/

Dwight Howard getting closer to return to court

http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2015/10/dwight-howard-getting-closer-to-return-to-court-for-rockets/?utm_source=http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=offpage-widget-dealer-spotlight&utm_content=http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2015/10/dwight-howard-getting-closer-to-return-to-court-for-rockets/

SPURS:

Popovich wants Spurs to improve transition defense

http://espn.go.com/blog/nba/post/_/id/9868/popovich-wants-spurs-to-improve-transition-defense

Spurs burned by Suns in penultimate preseason game

http://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/Spurs-burned-by-Suns-in-penultimate-preseason-game-6580618.php

SUNS:

Chandler visits Dallas after being spurned twice

http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2015/10/20/tyson-chandler-visits-dallas-after-being-spurned-twice/74308952/

THUNDER:

OKC teammate calls Enes Kanter’s spat with Utah ‘silly’

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865639527/OKC-teammate-calls-Enes-Kanters-spat-with-Utah-silly.html

More passes to come from Thunder bigs?

http://newsok.com/more-passes-to-come-from-thunder-bigs/article/5454592

TIMBERWOLVES:

Poor third quarter sinks Wolves

http://www.twincities.com/timberwolves/ci_29000128/poor-third-quarter-sinks-timberwolves-loss-bucks

TRAIL BLAZERS:

Lillard a fan of Harkless; Davis ready to do dirty work

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

WARRIORS:

Good health more than just luck for Warriors

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/13931087/nba-good-health-more-just-luck-golden-state-warriors

Warriors unsure whether Steve Kerr will be on sideline for opener

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/13926599/steve-kerr-availability-golden-state-warriors-coach-unclear-regular-season-looming

How Steph Curry helped shape the Curry Two

http://www.si.com/nba/2015/10/16/stephen-curry-golden-state-warriors-under-armour-curry-two?ref=yfp

WIZARDS:

Temple aims to be ready when Washington needs him to deliver

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/wizards/garrett-temple-aims-to-be-ready-when-washington-needs-him-to-deliver/2015/10/20/d9aff390-776b-11e5-bc80-9091021aeb69_story.html

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.