NBA Daily Links: 11.13.15

PHILOSOPHICAL QUOTE OF THE DAY:

“Trust yourself. Create the kind of self that you will be happy to live with all your life. Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement.”

-Golda Meir

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

NBA:

Five new teams that can crash the Western Conference playoff party

http://espn.go.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/14106452/utah-jazz-minnesota-timberwolves-new-western-conference-playoff-contenders-nba

 

First impressions of the rookie class

http://stats.nba.com/featured/first_impressions_rookie_class_2015_11_12.html

 

Tracking old faces in new places

http://www.si.com/nba/2015/11/12/data-dimes-greg-monroe-rajon-rondo-wesley-matthews-bucks-kings-mavericks

 

A primer on the NBA’s plus/minus stats

http://www.basketballinsiders.com/the-virtues-of-plus-minus-statistics/

 

Catching up with Tracy McGrady

http://www.nba.com/magic/news/catching-tracy-mcgrady

 

Q&A with Brian Scalabrine

http://www.theplayerstribune.com/brian-scalabrine-nba-qa-mailbag/

 

Group pitches KeyArena overhaul for NBA, NHL

http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/group-wants-to-overhaul-keyarena-for-nba-nhl-but-mayor-hasnt-responded/

 

D-LEAGUE:

Goal is to be 30 for 30

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2015/11/12/nba-d-league-growth-30-teams-within-five-years/75665740/

 

Chris Murphy named President of Santa Cruz Warriors

http://www.nba.com/warriors/news/chris-murphy-named-president-nba-d-league-champion-santa-cruz-warriors

 

TEAM USA:

DeAndre Jordan among hopefuls that could lose out if Kobe gets a spot

http://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/la-sp-clippers-report-20151113-story.html

 

FANTASY:

Massachusetts governor backs fantasy sports

http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2015/11/12/gov-baker-fantasy-sports-legal-game-skill-not-gambling/YvPO1eIGPxfvlDmXoMXTbI/story.html

 

Is time running out on fantasy sports?

http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2015/11/12/time-running-out-fantasy-sports-betting/cvO6zITAjLKPQOs79ChsbI/story.html

 

76ERS:

Team owner sorry for chopper preventing youth soccer game

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/20151111_ap_cb13c43b806d4cac87c06a8ec8c87c1e.html

 

This is the final season of the 76ers tanking era

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2588669-this-is-the-final-season-of-philadelphia-76ers-tanking-era

 

BUCKS:

Bolstering bench play a top priority for Jason Kidd

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/bucks/bolstering-bench-play-a-top-priority-for-jason-kidd-b99614923z1-347327491.html

 

BULLS:

Jimmy Butler has a 6,000 pound aquarium shaped like a boom box

http://espn.go.com/espn/story/_/id/14114931/jimmy-butler-6000-pound-boom-box-aquarium

 

Lifeless or lustrous – which Bulls team will show up for Hornets?

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/ct-good-and-bad-bulls-spt-1113-20151112-story.html

 

Noah back at practice, on track to play Friday

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/ct-joakim-noah-practices-bulls-bits-spt-1113-20151112-story.html

 

Noah still willing to play Mr. Nice Guy – for now

http://chicago.suntimes.com/basketball/7/71/1095672/joakim-noah-still-willing-play-mr-nice-guy-now

 

CAVALIERS:

Blatt says Kyrie Irving still has a ways to go before returning to action

http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2015/11/david_blatt_says_kyrie_irving_1.html#incart_social_feature

 

Cavs are winning while being a work in progress

http://www.cleveland.com/pluto/index.ssf/2015/11/cleveland_cavaliers_are_winnin.html#incart_river_index

 

Kyrie Irving horses around in latest Uncle Drew installment

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14110243/kyrie-irving-unveils-fourth-uncle-drew-video

 

CELTICS:

Would Celtics consider trading picks for DeMarcus Cousins?

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/celtics/post/_/id/4720963/the-cousins-conundrum-would-celtics-consider-trading-picks-for-star

 

Jared Sullinger’s agent excited to bring him to free agency

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/celtics/2015/11/bulpett_jared_sullinger_s_agent_excited_to_bring_him_to_free_agency

 

Jae Crowder is a student of the defensive game

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2015/11/13/celtics-jae-crowder-student-defensive-game/EpVCst0HYssofDjXh7dhdO/story.html

 

CLIPPERS:

Suns beat short-handed Clippers

http://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/clippersnow/la-sp-cn-clippers-phoenix-suns-game-20151112-story.html

 

GRIZZLIES:

Mario Chalmers arrives in Memphis with a chip on his shoulder

http://www.commercialappeal.com/sports/grizzlies/mario-chalmers-arrives-in-memphis-with-chip-on-shoulder-2460cc0d-5797-1c51-e053-0100007f6ba6-347324552.html

 

HAWKS:

Slow starts becoming a problem for Hawks

http://www.peachtreehoops.com/2015/11/12/9720850/pelicans-vs-hawks-recap

 

Is Paul Millsap still improving?

http://www.foxsports.com/south/story/is-veteran-atlanta-hawks-star-paul-millsap-still-improving-111215

 

HEAT:

Chris Bosh leads Heat in win over Jazz

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nba/miami-heat/article44590980.html

 

Goran Dragic not right, but arrival of family might help

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/ethan-j-skolnick/article44622747.html

 

Spoelstra on McRoberts: He’s an artist out there

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/sfl-miami-heat-josh-mcroberts-s111215-story.html

 

HORNETS:

MKG finds ways to help Hornets during recovery

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nba/charlotte-hornets/article44399226.html

 

JAZZ:

Burke, Burks combine to give team offensive potency

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3171076-155/utah-jazz-burke-burks-combine-to

 

Jazz don’t execute down the stretch, fall to Heat

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3170745-155/utah-jazz-jazz-dont-execute-down

 

Lyles gets first start as Gobert sits

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865641412/Lyles-gets-first-start-as-Gobert-sits-out-with-bad-ankle-vs-Heat.html

 

KINGS:

Cousins, Karl at center of internal strife

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14109556/demarcus-cousins-george-karl-center-sacramento-kings-strife

 

Vlade Divac’s attempt at détente lowers Kings temperature

http://www.sacbee.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/ailene-voisin/article44560311.html

 

George Karl’s job is in jeopardy

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/kings/2015/11/11/george-karl-kings-vivek-renadive-vlade-divac/75597106/

 

Divac says Karl will coach team for rest of season

http://nba.nbcsports.com/2015/11/12/vlade-divac-says-george-karl-will-coach-kings-for-rest-of-season/

 

Omri Casspi becoming an efficient shooter

http://www.sacbee.com/sports/nba/sacramento-kings/article44593197.html

 

KNICKS:

Kyle O’Quinn brings laughs, smiles to pediatric patients

http://espn.go.com/blog/newyork/knicks/post/_/id/63479/kyle-oquinn-brings-laughs-smiles-to-pediatric-patients

 

Porzingis has caught LeBron’s eye

http://nypost.com/2015/11/12/kristaps-porzingis-has-caught-lebron-james-eye/

 

Ex-coach’s inside look at Porzingis’ transformation

http://nypost.com/2015/11/12/ex-coachs-inside-look-at-frail-porzingis-transformation/

 

Porzingis squashing stereotypes with putback dunks

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/knicks-porzingis-squashing-stereotypes-putback-dunks-article-1.2432553

 

Embrace Knicks now during this rare time

http://nypost.com/2015/11/12/embrace-these-knicks-while-theres-still-room-on-bandwagon/

 

LAKERS:

Kobe Bryant’s goal is to play Friday vs Mavericks

http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-sp-lakers-report-20151113-story.html

 

Julius Randle leaned on mentors, faith to overcome injury

http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20151112/lakers-julius-randle-leaned-on-mentors-faith-to-overcome-injury

 

Larry Nance Jr. handles success, struggles

http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20151112/lakers-rookie-larry-nance-jr-handles-success-struggles

 

MAGIC:

Victor Oladipo’s concussion creates ripple effect

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/os-magic-victor-oladipo-concussion-1113-20151112-story.html

 

Vucevic gives Oladipo advice about dealing with concussion

http://www.nba.com/magic/news/vucevic-gives-oladipo-advice-about-dealing-concussion

 

Magic’s defense has slipped recently

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/os-orlando-magic-news-1113-20151112-story.html

 

MAVERICKS:

More than a consolation price, Pachulia carving his own path

http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/dallas-mavericks/headlines/20151112-sefko-more-than-a-consolation-prize-zaza-pachulia-is-carving-his-own-path-as-the-mavs-center.ece

 

Dirk Nowitzki still having fun as Mavericks elder statesman

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/mavericks/2015/11/12/dirk-nowitzki-having-fun-elder-statesman-mavericks/75635586/

 

Scouting Mavs-Lakers

http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/dallas-mavericks/headlines/20151112-scouting-mavs-lakers-julius-randle-kobe-bryant-if-he-plays-plenty-for-mavs-to-handle.ece

 

Mavericks like pit-bull mentality of Wesley Matthews

http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nba/dallas-mavericks/article44574363.html

 

NETS:

Hollis-Jefferson still learning each night

http://www.newsday.com/sports/basketball/nets/nets-rondae-hollis-jefferson-has-shown-flashes-of-brilliance-along-with-inconsistent-play-1.11117028

 

NUGGETS:

Wilson Chandler devastated by season-ending injury

http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_29109645/nuggets-wilson-chandler-devastated-by-season-ending-injury

 

Jason Kidd on Mudiay: He’ll be better than me

http://blogs.denverpost.com/nuggets/2015/11/12/jason-kidd-emmanuel-mudiay/13431/

 

PACERS:

Myles Turner out at least 4 weeks with thumb fracture

http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nba/pacers/2015/11/12/pacers-rookie-myles-turner-out-least-4-weeks-thumb-fracture/75661114/

 

PELICANS:

Ish Smith making the most of his opportunities

http://www.nola.com/pelicans/index.ssf/2015/11/new_orleans_pelicans_guard_ish.html#incart_river_index

 

PISTONS:

Andre Drummond hits the boards and makes a huge leap

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/13/sports/basketball/detroit-pistons-andre-drummond-hits-the-boards-and-makes-a-huge-leap.html?ref=basketball&_r=0

 

Morris a surprise second in NBA minutes

http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2015/11/12/detroit-pistons-marcus-morris/75688884/

 

What’s wrong with Pistons offense? Ball movement

http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2015/11/12/detroit-pistons-reggie-jackson/75649912/

 

Pistons figure out winning formula

http://www.si.com/nba/2015/11/12/the-fundamentals-pistons-andre-drummond-reggie-jackson-stan-van-gundy

 

Jennings jumps into practice

http://www.nba.com/pistons/features/jennings-jumps-practice-gets-knocked-down-springs-back-it-was-cool

 

RAPTORS:

Raptors, BioSteel strike naming rights deal

http://www.thestar.com/sports/raptors/2015/11/13/toronto-raptors-biosteel-strike-naming-rights-deal.html

 

Norman Powell could be a second-round steal for the Raptors

http://www.torontosun.com/2015/11/12/norman-powell-could-be-a-second-round-steal-for-raptors

 

Carroll takes Raptors to the next level

http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nba-pm-demarre-carroll-making-presence-felt-in-toronto-raptors/

 

ROCKETS:

Rockets offense needs Harden, Lawson to mesh

http://espn.go.com/blog/houston-rockets/post/_/id/1368/rockets-offense-needs-james-harden-ty-lawson-to-mesh

 

Rockets trying to solve defensive woes

http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2015/11/rockets-trying-to-solve-defensive-woes/

 

Rockets still undecided on which game Dwight Howard will miss this week

http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2015/11/rockets-still-undecided-on-which-game-dwight-howard-will-miss-this-week/

 

Q&A with GM Daryl Morey

http://espn.go.com/blog/houston-rockets/post/_/id/1341/a-q-and-a-with-daryl-morey

 

SPURS:

Green shows signs of breaking long-distance slump

http://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/Spurs-Green-shows-sign-of-breaking-6627865.php

 

After failing, Aldridge is starting to compromise

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2588668-unfulfilled-in-portland-lamarcus-aldridge-finding-needs-met-with-ego-less-spurs

 

Kawhi Leonard is learning to beat double-teams from Charles Barkley

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/spurs/2015/11/11/kawhi-leonard-gregg-popovich-spurs-charles-barkley-michael-jordan/75612616/

 

SUNS:

Knight, Bledsoe too much for short-handed Clippers

http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2015/11/12/9727352/knight-bledsoe-too-much-for-short-handed-clippers-as-phoenix-suns

 

Suns seek shot balance

http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2015/11/12/phoenix-suns-seek-shot-balance-trio-taking-majority/75676668/

 

THUNDER:

The Russell Westbrook story

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2587948-from-the-bottom-to-the-top-the-russell-westbrook-story

 

Early returns are positive for Enes Kanter and his big contract

http://newsok.com/early-returns-are-positive-for-enes-kanter-and-his-big-contract/article/5460009

 

Kevin Durant injury nothing too serious says Billy Donovan

http://newsok.com/okc-thunder-journal-kevin-durant-injury-nothing-too-serious-says-billy-donovan/article/5460003

 

How do the Thunder get by without KD this time?

http://espn.go.com/blog/okc-thunder/post/_/id/786/how-do-the-thunder-get-by-without-kevin-durant-this-time-around

 

Who replaces Durant in the starting lineup?

http://newsok.com/okc-thunder-who-replaces-kevin-durant-in-the-thunder-starting-lineup/article/5459989

 

TIMBERWOLVES:

Glen Taylor in negotiations to sell minority stake in Timberwolves

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/sources–glen-taylor-in-negotiations-to-sell-minority-stake-in-timberwolves-001644482.html

 

The way of Andrew Wiggins

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14002784/way-andrew-wiggins

 

Ball in Rubio’s hands as upstart Wolves gain steam

http://www.nba.com/2015/news/features/steve_aschburner/11/12/wolves-ricky-rubio-taking-leadership-role/index.html

 

Wolves no match for Warriors

http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_29110725/timberwolves-no-match-warriors-stephen-curry

 

Wiggins returns, Rubio sits out

http://www.twincities.com/timberwolves/ci_29109989/timberwolves-andrew-wiggins-returns-ricky-rubio-still-out

 

TRAIL BLAZERS:

Meyers Leonard will miss game against Grizzlies with dislocated shoulder

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2015/11/meyers_leonard_ruled_out_for_trail_blazers_game_ag.html#incart_river_index

 

WARRIORS:

How the Warriors use the threat of Stephen Curry

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14110312/how-golden-state-warriors-use-fear-stephen-curry-weapon

 

Warriors improve to franchise-best 10-0

http://www.sfgate.com/warriors/article/Warriors-Stephen-Curry-drops-scores-46-in-10th-6628841.php

 

Barbosa leaves team to attend to family matter

http://www.sfgate.com/warriors/article/Warriors-Leandro-Barbosa-leaves-team-to-attend-6628988.php

 

Better than ever

http://www.csnbayarea.com/warriors/numbers-curry’s-blistering-start-warriors

 

Great nights are becoming routine for Curry

http://espn.go.com/blog/statsinfo/post/_/id/111514/great-nights-are-becoming-routine-for-stephen-curry

 

Curry’s magic carrying Dubs to new heights

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2588334-stephen-curry-does-it-all-to-extend-golden-state-warriors-picture-perfect-start

 

Curry emerging as NBA’s most marketable player

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/warriors/2015/11/12/stephen-curry-warriors-global-brand/75653316/

 

WIZARDS:

Wizards get back to basics

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wizards-insider/wp/2015/11/12/wizards-get-back-to-the-basics-with-practice-devoted-to-defense/

 

Nene expected to play vs Magic, Beal uncertain

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wizards-insider/wp/2015/11/12/nene-expected-to-play-vs-magic-bradley-beals-status-is-uncertain/

 

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.