NBA Daily Links: 11.21.15

November 21, 2015 by Pete Newmann

PHILOSOPHICAL QUOTE OF THE DAY:

“Don’t waste your energy trying to change opinions … do your thing, and don’t care if they like it.”

-Tina Fey

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

NBA:

Some snap judgments to ponder early on

http://www.nba.com/2015/news/features/fran_blinebury/11/20/snap-judgments-early-in-2015-16-season-lebron-james-stephen-curry-anthony-davis-derrick-rose/index.html

Counting the NBA’s dead money

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2591387-counting-the-nbas-dead-money

Ranking the 2016 traded draft picks

http://espn.go.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/14174597/ranking-traded-2016-draft-picks-owned-boston-celtics-philadelphia-76ers-more-nba

Underdog Eastern Conference is on the rise

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/os-nba-eastern-conference-brian-schmitz-1121-20151120-column.html

Movie studios turn to athletes to create a buzz

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/22/sports/basketball/movie-studios-turn-to-athletes-to-create-a-buzz.html?ref=basketball&_r=0

76ERS:

The 76ers should really get better – eventually

http://espn.go.com/blog/statsinfo/post/_/id/111733/the-76ers-should-really-get-better-eventually

Sixers lose 13^th straight

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/20151121_Sixers_lose_again__extending_skid_to_13_straight_games.html

Noel, Okafor switching roles?

http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/sports/sixers/Brown-considers-having-Noel-Okafor-swap-positions.html

BUCKS:

Inglis shaken by Paris attacks

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/bucks/bucks-damien-inglis-shaken-by-paris-attacks-b99620014z1-352465761.html

Bucks at Pacers preview

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/bucks/preview-bucks-at-pacers-b99620016z1-352464951.html

BULLS:

Bulls trip has a real Ames, Iowa feel to it

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/ct-mcdermott-barnes-bits-bulls-warriors-spt-1121-20151120-story.html

Derrick Rose wistful over sitting out against Curry, Warriors

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/ct-rose-curry-bulls-warriors-report-spt-1121-20151120-story.html

Rose out and admittedly dealing with mental hurdles

http://chicago.suntimes.com/basketball/7/71/1119006/derrick-rose-admittedly-dealing-mental-hurdles-latest-injury

Bulls stay close to Warriors but fall late

http://www.csnchicago.com/bulls/bulls-stay-close-fall-late-unbeaten-warriors

CAVALIERS:

What’s up with LeBron?

http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2015/11/2007_finals_is_why_lebron_jame.html#incart_social_feature

More injuries mean greater burden for LeBron

http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2015/11/lebron_james_cavaliers_injurie.html#incart_river_index

Tristan Thompson brings consistency to a team that’s been anything but

http://espn.go.com/blog/cleveland-cavaliers/post/_/id/1463/tristan-thompson-bringing-consistency-to-a-team-thats-been-anything-but

JR Smith accused of choking 19-year-old student

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/exclusive-jr-smith-accused-choking-teen-chelsea-article-1.2441839

Mozgov to miss 10-14 days, Williams out 2 games

http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2015/11/timofey_mozgov_out_up_to_2_wee.html#incart_river_index

LeBron leads by backing Blatt in an important Cavs season

http://www.nba.com/2015/news/features/sekou_smith/11/20/kia-race-to-the-mvp-ladder-lebron-james-supports-david-blatt-stephen-curry-blake-griffin/index.html

Cavs haven’t missed Kyrie yet, but they will

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2590923-how-much-do-cleveland-cavaliers-miss-kyrie-irving

CELTICS:

Celtics bounce back, rout lowly Nets

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/celtics/2015/11/celtics_bounce_back_rout_lowly_nets_0

Smart leaves game with bruised knee

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2015/11/21/marcus-smart-leaves-celtics-game-with-bruised-left-knee/MdeU6nknXs1tMxG6vt0fzJ/story.html

David Lee biding his time

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2015/11/21/nets-poor-play-doing-celtics-some-good/WAn3vg9GqfPHNU5OAT9nZL/story.html

Bradley shines off bench

http://www.csnne.com/boston-celtics/stars-studs-and-duds-bradley-shines-bench

Revisiting the KG-Pierce trade for the Celtics and Nets

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14176760/nba-how-boston-celtics-brooklyn-nets-fared-kevin-garnett-paul-pierce-trade

Focus should be on Celtics, not Nets pick

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/celtics/post/_/id/4721047/focus-should-be-on-these-celtics-not-the-nets-pick

CLIPPERS:

Erratic playing schedule for Lance Stephenson raises eyebrows

http://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/la-sp-clippers-report-20151121-story.html

Blazers beat Clippers

http://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/clippersnow/la-sp-cn-clippers-portland-trail-blazers-gamer-20151120-story.html

Breaking down the Clippers 100 seconds of doom

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14175382/losangeles-clippers-100-seconds-doom-loss-golden-state-warriors

GRIZZLIES:

Gasol’s triple-double powers Griz

http://www.commercialappeal.com/sports/grizzlies/gasols-triple-double-powers-griz-to-96-84-win-2501c3fa-d28e-2ca3-e053-0100007f062c-352443501.html

Can you quantify fun? In Mario Chalmers’ case, sure

http://www.commercialappeal.com/sports/grizzlies/Can-you-quantify-fun-In-Mario-Chalmers-case-absolutely-352306431.html

Joerger on Kevin McHale: I feel terrible for him

http://www.commercialappeal.com/sports/grizzlies/Dave-Joerger-on-the-first-Kevin-McHale-I-feel-terrible-352263861.html

HAWKS:

Cavs proved to Hawks that the road to the top is a long one

http://www.myajc.com/news/sports/basketball/cavaliers-proved-to-hawks-that-road-to-top-is-long/npR4N/?icmp=ajc_internallink_referralbox_free-to-premium-referral

Bazemore ruled out against Cavs

http://www.myajc.com/news/sports/basketball/bazemore-ruled-out-for-game-at-cavaliers/npRzT/?icmp=ajc_internallink_referralbox_free-to-premium-referral

HEAT:

Mental game is now Wade’s ticket to success

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/ethan-j-skolnick/article45709071.html

With hard work, Tyler Johnson earning his dream

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/fl-hyde-column-1121-20151120-column.html

Amare focused on being healthy for a playoff run

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/fl-miami-heat-main-1121-20151120-story.html

HORNETS:

Q&A with Kemba Walker

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14177081/kemba-walker-legacy-rookie-year-dunking-dancing-big-al-jeans

Big Al leads Hornets past Sixers

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nba/charlotte-hornets/article45712584.html

Hornets overcome tepid second half

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nba/charlotte-hornets/article45700494.html

Batum’s arrival breathing new life into offense

http://www.si.com/nba/2015/11/20/nicolas-batum-charlotte-hornets-steve-clifford-blazers

JAZZ:

Hayward, Evans rekindle their friendship, sort of

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865642128/Jazz-notes-Gordon-Hayward-Jeremy-Evans-rekindle-their-friendship-2-sort-of.html

Jazz fall on the road to Mavs

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865642118/Jazz-cant-overcome-second-quarter-woes-fall-on-road-to-Mavericks.html

KINGS:

Ranadive has interest in Nancy Lieberman as interim coach if George Karl is fired

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/239919/Report-Ranadive-Has-Interest-In-Nancy-Lieberman-As-Interim-If-George-Karl-Fired

Kings have no plans to offer John Calipari job

http://nba.nbcsports.com/2015/11/20/source-kings-have-no-plans-to-offer-john-calipari/

George Karl still pondering how to get Willie Cauley-Stein more playing time

http://www.sacbee.com/sports/nba/sacramento-kings/kings-blog/article45711006.html

Gay day-to-day with left shoulder injury

http://www.csnbayarea.com/kings/kings-gay-day-day-left-shoulder-injury

KNICKS:

NBA catching Porzingis fever

http://espn.go.com/blog/marc-stein/post/_/id/4094/son-of-weekend-dime-no-harm-in-catching-porzingis-fever

Porzingis learning from Durant

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/knicks/post/_/id/63556/knicks-kristaps-porzingis-learning-from-kevin-durant

Surging Knicks stave off Thunder to move above .500

http://nypost.com/2015/11/20/surging-knicks-stave-off-thunder-to-move-above-500/

LAKERS:

Scott maintains faith in Lou Williams despite shooting struggles

http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20151119/lakers-byron-scott-maintains-faith-in-lou-williams-despite-shooting-struggles

Lowry helps Raptors shoot way past Lakers

http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/lakersnow/la-sp-ln-lakers-lose-to-toronto-raptors-20151120-story.html

MAGIC:

Magic will have winning record if they beat the Kings

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/os-orlando-magic-winning-record-1121-20151120-story.html

Oladipo looks for bounce-back game against the Kings

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/os-orlando-magic-news-1121-20151120-story.html

Magic will play Saturday’s game at International Friendly time

http://www.nba.com/magic/news/oladipo-magic-will-play-saturdays-game-international-friendly-time

MAVERICKS:

How Deron Williams has cashed in on his latest chance to be Mavs closer

http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/dallas-mavericks/headlines/20151120-how-deron-williams-cashed-in-on-his-latest-chance-to-be-mavs-closer-it-s-an-opportunity-thing.ece

Williams sparked Mavs win over Jazz

http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nba/dallas-mavericks/full-court-press-blog/article45722895.html

Pachulia’s strong play helps Mavs

http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nfl/dallas-cowboys/article45720414.html

Mark Cuban on original owner Donald Carter: He is Mr. Maverick

http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/dallas-mavericks/headlines/20151120-mark-cuban-on-donald-carter-team-s-original-owner-he-is-mr.-maverick.ece

NETS:

Nets can only blame themselves for mess

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2015/11/21/nets-can-only-blame-themselves-for-mess/0Tzc59yyzKkCBF2f1FatjK/story.html

Celtics rout Nets

http://www.newsday.com/sports/basketball/nets/celtics-take-off-in-second-quarter-en-route-to-romping-past-nets-1.11148924

Karasev denies reported trade request

http://nba.nbcsports.com/2015/11/20/sergey-karasev-denies-reported-trade-request-including-one-implied-by-his-dad/

NUGGETS:

Nuggets falter in second half of home loss to Suns

http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_29146923/nuggets-falter-second-half-home-loss-phoenix-suns

Faried, Malone bullish on Nuggets start

http://blogs.denverpost.com/nuggets/2015/11/20/kenneth-faried-michael-malone-nuggets/13480/

PACERS:

Hill, Stuckey questionable for Saturday’s game

http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nba/pacers/2015/11/20/george-hill-rodney-stuckey-questionable-saturday/76122492/

PELICANS:

Pelicans enjoy big win with Ish Smith emerging

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

Davis, Anderson combine for 50 points as Pelicans beat Spurs

http://www.nola.com/pelicans/index.ssf/2015/11/new_orleans_pelicans_24.html#incart_river_index

Tyreke Evans says he may be back in a week

http://www.nola.com/pelicans/index.ssf/2015/11/new_orleans_pelicans_tyreke_ev_11.html#incart_river_index

PISTONS:

Bench awakens for Pistons

http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2015/11/20/detroit-pistons-minnesota-timberwolves/76070302/

Van Gundy: We have young talent too

http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2015/11/20/detroit-pistons-minnesota-timberwolves/76114144/

RAPTORS:

Raptors believe tough losses in early season will make team stronger

http://www.thestar.com/sports/raptors/2015/11/20/raptors-believe-tough-losses-early-in-season-will-make-team-stronger.html

Raptors beat Lakers but Valanciunas breaks hand

http://www.torontosun.com/2015/11/20/slump-on-west-coast-has-raptors-out-of-a-playoff-spot

ROCKETS:

Awful 4^th quarter leads to Rockets blowout loss

http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2015/11/awful-fourth-quarter-leads-to-rockets-blowout-loss-in-memphis/

Dekker underwent back surgery to repair herniated disc

http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2015/11/sam-dekker-underwent-back-surgery-to-repair-herniated-disc/

SPURS:

Q&A with Danny Green

http://espn.go.com/blog/san-antonio-spurs/post/_/id/135/danny-green-ive-got-to-take-the-shot

Spurs bad voodoo in Big Easy continues

http://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/N-O-trip-a-headache-6647969.php

Weird loss for Spurs as Duncan doesn’t record a rebound

http://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/video/article/Postgame-Wrap-Weird-loss-for-Spurs-as-Duncan-6648003.php

http://espn.go.com/blog/san-antonio-spurs/post/_/id/139/tim-duncan-finishes-without-a-rebound-for-first-time

West was once a Spurs killer

http://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/Notebook-West-was-once-a-Spurs-killer-6647437.php

Aldridge sprains ankle, unsure if he’ll play Saturday

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14182179/lamarcus-aldridge-san-antonio-spurs-suffers-sprained-ankle-new-orleans-pelicans

SUNS:

Knight’s 38 fuels Suns over Nuggets

http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2015/11/20/brandon-knights-38-points-fuel-suns-rally-win-denver/76154236/

THUNDER:

Carmelo thinks Durant’s ties to OKC will lead him back to Thunder

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/carmelo-durant-ties-okc-lead-back-thunder-article-1.2442058

Thunder’s late rally comes up short

http://newsok.com/late-rally-comes-up-short-as-thunder-lose-to-knicks/article/5461926

TIMBERWOLVES:

Wolves fall to 0-6 at home

http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_29146717/pistons-96-timberwolves-86-minnesota-falls-0-6

Towns credits Kentucky

http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nba-pm-towns-credits-kentucky-for-success/

TRAIL BLAZERS:

Blazers ride Lillard to win over Clippers

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2015/11/trail_blazers_los_angeles_lakers_game_rewind_2.html#incart_river_index

WARRIORS:

Warriors still undefeated

http://www.csnbayarea.com/warriors/instant-replay-curry-barnes-lift-warriors-over-bulls-14-0

http://www.sfgate.com/warriors/article/Warriors-14th-straight-win-puts-them-within-6648043.php

Walton wants slow start trend to change

http://www.sfgate.com/warriors/article/Warriors-Luke-Walton-wants-slow-start-trend-to-6647977.php

Streaking Warriors are having a blast making history

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14175651/warriors-having-blast-making-history

As streak grows, Warriors keep eyes on prize

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14177996/golden-state-warriors-focused-repeating-champs-not-their-potentially-historic-win-streak

Warriors remind Byron Scott of 1980s Lakers

http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/lakersnow/la-sp-ln-golden-state-byron-scott-lakers-20151120-story.html

73 wins is on the table

http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2015/11/20/9768524/warriors-73-wins-record-bulls-stephen-curry-michael-jordan

http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nba-am-how-do-warriors-stack-up-to-96-bulls/

How Stephen Curry became the NBA’s best player

http://www.gq.com/story/steph-curry-nba-best-player

WIZARDS:

Martell Webster undergoes season-ending hip surgery

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wizards-insider/wp/2015/11/20/martell-webster-undergoes-season-ending-hip-surgery/

A tiny gadget could make or break Wizards season

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/wizards/a-key-player-for-the-wizards-stands-88-millimeters-tall/2015/11/20/a1e5c902-8ef0-11e5-acff-673ae92ddd2b_story.html

Wittman still figuring out how to coach small-ball

http://www.sportingnews.com/nba-news/4661627-randy-wittman-washington-wizards-small-ball-kris-humphries-marcin-gortat-nene

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.