PHILOSOPHICAL QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“The purpose of life is a life of purpose.”
-Robert Byrne
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NBA:
NBA game of the week: Thunder at Rockets
NBA deadline for options & extensions; D-League draft
http://www.basketballinsiders.com/deadline-for-options-extension-d-league-draft/
Basketball Insiders Week in Review 11/1
http://www.basketballinsiders.com/basketball-insiders-week-in-review-111-2/
NBA players who would excel as media members; Merril Hoge’s recovery
It’s always opining day for Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal
John Havlicek picture reminds Gregg Popovich of Celtics’ legacy
Spurs great Robinson still drawing lots of fan admiration
Mel Daniels, prolific rebounder on the Pacers, dies at 71
David Stern, former NBA Commissioner, joins Paul Taubman’s firm
FLIP SAUNERS:
Funeral service for Saunders ‘perfect ceremony for one of the great people I’ve ever known’
D-LEAGUE:
Kings bust Jimmer Fredette taken second in D-League draft
http://www.csnbayarea.com/kings/kings-bust-jimmer-fredette-taken-second-d-league-draft
Jimmer has second chance to save career in D-League
http://nba.nbcsports.com/2015/11/01/jimmer-fredette-taken-second-in-d-league-draft-by-westchester/
FIBA:
Gregg Popovich perfect pick for national team
76ERS:
Sixers’ Stauskas ready to face LeBron; Covington could play Monday
Sixers’ Nik Stauskas eager to face his idol
BUCKS:
Bucks fall to 0-3 for first time since 1976
http://www.jsonline.com/sports/bucks/milwaukee-bucks-vs-toronto-raptors-b99606343z1-339171531.html
Preview: Bucks vs. Nets
http://www.jsonline.com/sports/bucks/preview-bucks-vs-nets-b99606348z1-339189791.html
Tyler Ennis getting close to returning from shoulder injury
BULLS:
Bulls avert crisis in close win over Magic
http://www.csnchicago.com/bulls/bulls-avert-crisis-close-win-over-magic
Still under construction, Bulls hold off the Magic and improve to 3-1
http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/7/71/1064056/still-construction-bulls-hold-magic-improve-3-1
Bulls getting defensive stops when they need them
A more aggressive Doug McDermott featured more often for Bulls
Fred Hoiberg hopes his talk with Derrick Rose about shot selection sticks
CAVALIERS:
76ers present a unique challenge the Cavaliers should be prepared for
http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2015/11/the_philadelphia_76ers_present.html – incart_river
Is Kevin Love really the key for the Cavaliers?
CELTICS:
Celtics hang around but fall 95-87 to San Antonio
http://www.csnne.com/boston-celtics/celtics-hang-around-fall-95-87-san-antonio
Stars, studs and duds: A ‘learning process’ for Celtics
http://www.csnne.com/boston-celtics/stars-studs-and-duds-learning-process-celtics
For starters, Celtics struggling
http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/celtics/2015/11/bulpett_for_starters_celtics_struggling
Healthy Bradley revisits air up there
CLIPPERS:
Lance Stephenson brings his own ‘Hot Sauce’ to Clippers
http://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/la-sp-clippers-report-20151102-story.html
Up next for the Clippers: vs. Phoenix on Monday
http://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/la-sp-clippers-tonight-20151102-story.html
Five takeaways from the Clippers’ 114-109 victory over Sacramento
GRIZZLIES:
Griz’s Conley relives playoff game vs. Warriors
Good ball movement yields more 3-point looks
HAWKS:
Five observations from Hawks’ 94-92 win over Hornets
Dennis Schroder’s road to the NBA
HEAT:
Heat storm back from 21 down to rout Rockets 109-89
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/sfl-miami-heat-houston-rockets-s110115-story.html
Hassan Whiteside spurs furious rally by Heat
http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nba/miami-heat/article42177681.html
Spoelstra to rotate his centers; Birdman inactive again
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/sfl-miami-heat-erik-spoelstra-s110115-story.html
Is Spoelstra essentially playing daily fantasy with Heat roster?
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/sfl-askira-story.html
HORNETS:
Hornets still searching for win
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/tom-sorensen/article42173034.html
Fourth-quarter shooting dooms Hornets in 94-92 home loss to Hawks
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nba/charlotte-hornets/article42150342.html
Jeremy Lamb shuns restricted free agency for extension with Hornets
JAZZ:
Loss in Detroit helped spark Jazz defense
http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3123208-155/utah-jazz-loss-in-detroit-helped
Jazz defense picks up where it left off — as best in NBA
KINGS:
Diagnosis in for Kings’ Cousins after undergoing MRI
http://www.csnbayarea.com/kings/diagnosis-kings’-cousins-after-undergoing-mri
Rondo shows extra gear with Cousins sidelined
http://www.csnbayarea.com/kings/rewind-rondo-shows-extra-gear-cousins-sidelined
KNICKS:
Overlooked Knicks holdovers somehow are sticking — and thriving
http://nypost.com/2015/11/01/overlooked-knicks-holdovers-somehow-are-sticking-and-thriving/
Have the Knicks abandoned the triangle offense?
http://nypost.com/2015/11/01/have-the-knicks-abandoned-the-triangle-offense/
Knicks ‘tri’ different offensive scheme, with positive results so far
LAKERS:
Lakers fall to ageless Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavericks, 103-93
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/lakersnow/la-sp-lakers-lose-to-mavericks-20151101-story.html
Kobe Bryant puts latest Lakers loss on himself, and his shooting
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-sp-lakers-mavericks-20151102-story.html
Lakers’ Byron Scott said Kobe Bryant never showed frustrations as a rookie
Lakers forward Julius Randle makes a much better showing this time
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-sp-lakers-report-20151102-story.html
MAGIC:
Lethargic Magic fall to the Bulls 92-87
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/os-magic-bulls-game-1102-20151101-story.html
With deadline looming, Evan Fournier says a contract extension is the least of his worries
Magic’s defensive rebounding must improve, Skiles says
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/os-orlando-magic-news-1102-20151101-story.html
Payton dealt daunting assignment every night in today’s NBA http://www.nba.com/magic/news/payton-dealt-daunting-assignment-every-night-todays-nba
Skiles sees some similarities between Bulls team he adopted and current Magic team
MAVERICKS:
With full lineup for first time this season, Mavs don’t let Lakers up off mat in 103-93 win
Parsons rusty in first game since April
http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nba/dallas-mavericks/full-court-press-blog/article42186021.html
Carlisle winningest Mavericks coach after efficient road victory over Lakers
http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nba/dallas-mavericks/article42185166.html
Dirk Nowitzki puts on a show in second quarter as Mavs top Lakers
Cuban: ‘Without question’ Los Angeles is a Lakers’ town
NETS:
Is Mike Conley Jr. the answer to the Nets point guard woes?
http://www.netsdaily.com/2015/11/1/9653624/is-mike-conley-jr-the-answer-to-the-nets-point-guard-woes
NUGGETS:
Nuggets get blown out by Thunder
http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_29057018/oklahoma-city-clobbers-nuggets-city-117-93
Nuggets coach Michael Malone familiar with Thunder’s Billy Donovan
PACERS:
Pacers need to return to physicality, even while embracing new identity
PELICANS:
Alvin Gentry, Pelicans players return to work looking to fix problems resulting in 0-3 start
http://www.nola.com/pelicans/index.ssf/2015/11/alvin_gentry_pelicans_players.html – incart_river
Pelicans’ Kendrick Perkins out indefinitely with pectoral injury
http://www.nola.com/pelicans/index.ssf/2015/11/new_orleans_pelicans_kendrick_1.html – incart_river
Pelicans’ Davis: ‘We can’t be labeled as a soft team’
http://www.basketballinsiders.com/pelicans-davis-we-cant-be-labeled-as-a-soft-team/
Why did the Pelicans struggle so badly defensively against Stephen Curry?
http://www.nola.com/pelicans/index.ssf/2015/11/why_did_the_new_orleans_pelica.html – incart_river
PISTONS:
Jennings’ next goal in rehab is 5-on-5 work in practice
http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2015/11/01/brandon-jennings-pistons-practice/75008922/
Andre Drummond Is For Real
http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nba-sunday-andre-drummond-is-for-real/
RAPTORS:
Raptors offer complete effort, stay perfect with win over Bucks
DeRozan looks good as Raptors beat Bucks
http://www.torontosun.com/2015/11/01/derozan-looks-good-as-raptors-beat-bucks
Undefeated Raptors rout Bucks, roll into ‘bear’ road trip with momentum
Stung by off-season trade, ex-Raptor Vasquez moving on with Bucks
New hopes for the Raptors
http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2015/11/1/9653620/raptors-demarre-carroll-kyle-lowry-sunday-shootaround
ROCKETS:
Rockets’ 21-point lead against Heat turns into another 20-point loss
Rockets pick up option on Clint Capela, still waiting on Jones and Motiejunas
Rockets add free agent Chuck Hayes to bolster frontcourt
What is wrong with James Harden?
Scouting report: Rockets vs. Thunder
http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2015/11/scouting-report-rockets-vs-thunder/
SPURS:
Aldridge finally looks like himself in win over Celts
http://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/Spurs-ride-Aldridge-Leonard-past-Celtics-6604381.php
Aldridge’s double-double helps Spurs make history
West fine with any role
http://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/West-fine-with-any-role-6604156.php
Hip-hop part of Off-Topic conversation with Bonner
SUNS:
Markieff Morris proves key for Suns, must reduce fouls
THUNDER:
Serge Ibaka leads bounceback defensive effort in OKC’s blowout of Nuggets
Billy Donovan has no plans to rest Kevin Durant during upcoming back-to-backs
TIMBERWOLVES:
Timberwolves prep for home opener with Flip Saunders on their mind
http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_29056796/timberwolves-prep-home-opener-flip-saunders-their-mind
TRAIL BLAZERS:
Trail Blazers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves: preview
WARRIORS:
Stephen Curry enters Warriors’ homestand on a big-time roll
Rewind: Curry’s 53-point night hides Warriors’ warts vs Pelicans
http://www.csnbayarea.com/warriors/rewind-currys-53-point-night-hides-warriors-warts-vs-pelicans
WIZARDS:
Wizards’ home opener spoiled by 117-110 loss to Knicks
A determined Carmelo Anthony scorches the Wizards
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.