NBA Daily Links: 11.28.15

November 28, 2015 by Pete Newmann

PHILOSOPHICAL QUOTE OF THE DAY:

“One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation.”

-Arthur Ashe

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NBA:

Curry vs Westbrook debate not so simple to determine

http://www.nba.com/2015/news/11/26/bridging-the-gap-best-point-guard-in-nba-debate-russell-westbrook-stephen-curry/index.html

Biggest early surprises of 2015-16 season

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2593109-biggest-early-surprises-of-the-2015-16-nba-season

Is the future of the NBA’s shooting guard position in good hands?

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2592699-is-the-future-of-the-nbas-shooting-guard-position-in-good-hands

Top clutch players this season

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/25391409/early-returns-top-clutch-players-of-the-2015-16-nba-season

Teams underachieving and overachieving

http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nba-am-teams-underachieving-and-overachieving/

JAHLIL OKAFOR:

Police now investigating incident involving Okafor

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14237711/police-now-investigating-incident-involving-philadelphia-76ers-rookie-jahlil-okafor

Jahlil Okafor had gun pointed at him in Oct. altercation

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/20151127_Okafor_also_involved_in_October_nightclub_incident.html

76ERS:

Sixers lose, set dubious mark

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/20151129_Sixers_set_dubious_NBA_mark_with_116-114_loss_to_Rockets.html

76ers one loss from worst start in NBA history

http://espn.go.com/blog/statsinfo/post/_/id/111972/76ers-reach-0-17-and-are-one-loss-from-worst-start-in-nba-history

BUCKS:

Bucks defense disappears as Magic pull away in third quarter

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/bucks/live-updates-bucks-vs-magic-b99623975z1-356255641.html

Jason Kidd suspended one game

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/bucks/bucks-coach-jason-kidd-suspended-for-tonights-game-b99623979z1-355983211.html

BULLS:

Pacers run away from low energy Bulls

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/ct-bulls-lose-big-pacers-report-spt-1128-20151127-story.html

Frank Vogel lauds Jimmy Butler for All-Star level of play

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/ct-jimmy-butler-bits-bulls-pacers-spt-1128-20151127-story.html

Jimmy Butler playing through the pain

http://www.csnchicago.com/bulls/jimmy-butler-playing-through-pain-bulls

CAVALIERS:

LeBron’s talks Jordan’s continued impact on hoops

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14235687/lebron-james-discusses-business-basketball-influence-michael-jordan

Cavaliers rally in fourth quarter to beat Hornets

http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2015/11/cleveland_cavaliers_rally_in_t_1.html#incart_social_feature

JR Smith on exchange with Cam Newton: All fun and games

http://espn.go.com/blog/cleveland-cavaliers/post/_/id/1524/j-r-smith-on-his-exchange-with-cam-newton-all-fun-and-games

The scary thing is the Cavs will get better

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2593664-cleveland-cavaliers-just-getting-started-and-other-friday-nba-takeaways

LeBron not there yet for wanting to own an NBA team

http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2015/11/lebron_james_michael_jordan_ow.html

CELTICS:

Celtics jump out early, beat down Wizards

http://www.csnne.com/boston-celtics/celtics-jump-out-early-beat-down-wizards-111-78

Marcus Smart uncertain on return date: You can’t tell your body what to do

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/celtics/post/_/id/4721134/smart-uncertain-on-return-date-you-cant-tell-your-body-what-to-do

Jared Sullinger doesn’t need big minutes to make an impact

http://www.csnne.com/boston-celtics/sullinger-doesnt-need-big-minutes-make-impact-cs

Celtics make Wall a non-factor

http://www.csnne.com/boston-celtics/celtics-make-wall-non-factor-second-game-row

CLIPPERS:

Clippers get much needed win in New Orleans

http://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/clippersnow/la-sp-cn-clippers-pelicans-needed-win-20151127-story.html

Clippers suffering from same old problems

http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2015/11/27/9807212/los-angeles-clippers-defense-shooting-lance-stephenson-paul-pierce

GRIZZLIES:

Hawks hand Grizzlies 116-101 loss

http://www.commercialappeal.com/sports/grizzlies/hawks-hand-grizzlies-116-101-loss-257dbbd4-3691-36aa-e053-0100007f7cf6-356439571.html

New-look Grizzlies pushing the pace

http://www.commercialappeal.com/sports/grizzlies/new-look-grizzlies-pushing-the-pace–25799338-9b9c-5d5a-e053-0100007f0f9b-355228991.html

HAWKS:

Injured Splitter to miss more time

http://www.myajc.com/news/sports/basketball/injured-splitter-to-miss-more-time-including-retur/npXjg/?icmp=ajc_internallink_referralbox_free-to-premium-referral

Observations from Hawks win over Grizzlies

http://www.ajc.com/news/sports/basketball/five-observations-from-hawks-116-101-win-at-the-gr/npXpD/

HEAT:

Heat focused on forging a legacy after LeBron

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/heat-focused-on-forging-a-legacy-after-lebron-173822689.html

Gerald Green steals show in Heat win over Knicks

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/ethan-j-skolnick/article46868855.html

Deng misses second straight game

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/sfl-miami-heat-luol-deng-s112715-story.html

HORNETS:

Hornets coach: Jordan is easiest owner to work for

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14238772/charlotte-hornets-steve-clifford-says-michael-jordan-playing-experience-makes-easiest-owner-work-for

LeBron, Cavs too much for Hornets

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/scott-fowler/article46869960.html

JAZZ:

Anthony Davis provides another daunting task for Jazz bigs

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3235315-155/utah-jazz-anthony-davis-provides-another

Hayward, Jazz hope win over Clippers was a confidence booster

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3235481-155/utah-jazz-notes-hayward-jazz-hope

After road-heavy, early-season slate, Jazz aim to fatten up record at home

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865642598/Utah-Jazz-notebook-After-a-road-heavy-early-season-slate-Jazz-aim-to-fatten-up-record-at-home.html

KINGS:

Kings battle but fall again without Cousins

http://www.csnbayarea.com/kings/instant-replay-kings-battle-fall-again-without-cousins

KNICKS:

Carmelo disappears as Knicks fall apart in 3^rd straight loss

http://nypost.com/2015/11/27/carmelo-disappears-as-knicks-fall-apart-in-3rd-straight-loss/

Heat expose Knicks discipline problems

http://nypost.com/2015/11/27/tough-heat-expose-how-mentally-weak-these-knicks-are/

LAKERS:

Kobe Bryant is giving the Lakers an easy out

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14235034/kobe-bryant-giving-lakers-easy-out

Byron Scott says benching Kobe Bryant is not an option

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14237963/los-angeles-lakers-coach-byron-scott-says-bench-kobe-bryant-poor-play

Kobe Bryant’s playing time during grueling stretch not yet determined

http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-sp-lakers-report-20151128-story.html

Lakers balancing Kobe Bryant’s options in back-to-backs

http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20151127/lakers-balancing-kobe-bryants-options-in-back-to-backs

MAGIC:

Magic crush Bucks, clinch 1^st winning month since March 2012

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/os-magic-bucks-game-story-1128-20151127-story.html

Skiles, Kidd recall Phoenix days together

http://www.nba.com/magic/news/skiles-kidd-recall-days-together-phoenix

Skiles says he wouldn’t have traded Harris

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/356227331.html

MAVERICKS:

What the Mavericks need to do to keep pace in the mild, mild West

http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/dallas-mavericks/headlines/20151127-sefko-what-the-mavericks-need-to-do-to-keep-pace-in-the-mild-mild-west-update-on-barea.ece

Barea will miss at least 3 games with ankle injury

http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nba/dallas-mavericks/article46835020.html

NETS:

Joe Johnson’s shifted role hiding reason Nets need him

http://nypost.com/2015/11/27/joe-johnsons-shifted-role-hiding-reason-nets-need-him/

It’s not easy coming to work with a 3-12 record, says Joe Johnson

http://www.newsday.com/sports/basketball/nets/it-s-not-easy-coming-to-work-with-3-12-record-says-nets-joe-johnson-1.11170633

NUGGETS:

Arthur sharpens touch from beyond the arc

http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_29174229/darrell-arthur-sharpens-touch-beyond-arc

Spurs dominate in Denver without Duncan, Ginobili

http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_29175066/spurs-dominate-denver-despite-playing-without-ginobili-and

PACERS:

Bulls impressed by Paul George’s return to superstar level

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/bulls/post/_/id/22565/rose-bulls-impressed-by-georges-return-to-superstar-level

George’s grit leads Pacers

http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nba/pacers/2015/11/27/paul-georges-grit-lead-pacers-win-over-bulls/75986204/

PELICANS:

Anthony Davis goes down, Pelicans lose

http://www.nola.com/pelicans/index.ssf/2015/11/new_orleans_pelicans_27.html#incart_river_index

Anthony Davis carried off the court after collision with Chris Paul

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

Tyreke Evans sits out another game but could make his debut Saturday

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

PISTONS:

Durant spoils Jackson’s return

http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2015/11/27/detroit-pistons-oklahoma-city-thunder/76429306/

Van Gundy knows why coach-ref quarrels happen

http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2015/11/27/detroit-pistons-stan-van-gundy/76473342/

RAPTORS:

Raptors settle Johnson dispute, look ahead to Wizards rematch

http://www.thestar.com/sports/raptors/2015/11/27/raptors-settle-johnson-dispute-look-ahead-to-wizards-rematch.html

Scola, 35, up to his old tricks

http://www.torontosun.com/2015/11/27/scola-35-up-to-his-old-tricks-with-raptors

ROCKETS:

Harden’s 50 points lift Rockets past winless 76ers

http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2015/11/james-hardens-50-points-lifts-rockets-past-winless-76ers/

Rockets unveil new big starting lineup

http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2015/11/rockets-unveil-new-big-starting-lineup/

Beverley has a fan over to celebrate Thanksgiving

http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2015/11/pat-beverley-has-a-fan-over-to-his-house-to-celebrate-thanksgiving/

SPURS:

Leonard’s big night carries Spurs

http://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/Leonard-s-big-night-carries-Spurs-past-Nuggets-6661390.php

Parker’s defense pleases Pop

http://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/Parker-s-defense-pleases-Pop-6661085.php

SUNS:

Warriors roll past Suns

http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2015/11/28/stephen-curry-golden-state-warriors-roll-past-suns/76315474/

THUNDER:

Durant leads Thunder to 103-87 win over Pistons

http://newsok.com/durant-leads-thunder-to-103-87-win-over-pistons/article/5463412

Defense-by-committee limits Drummond

http://newsok.com/defense-by-committee-limits-pistons-andre-drummond/article/5463434

Appreciating Russell Westbrook

http://www.basketballinsiders.com/appreciating-russell-westbrook/

What Billy Donovan’s most important job is with the Thunder

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/thunder/2015/11/27/billy-donovan-kevin-durant-russell-westbrook-sam-presti-thunder-clay-bennett/76421344/

TIMBERWOLVES:

Wolves beat Kings behind Wiggins, LaVine, bench

http://www.twincities.com/timberwolves/ci_29175569/timberwolves-beat-kings-behind-andrew-wiggins-zach-lavine

Milt Newton’s odyssey goes from troubled kid to GM

http://www.twincities.com/timberwolves/ci_29173945/timberwolves-milt-newtons-odyssey-goes-from-troubled-kid

TRAIL BLAZERS:

Meyers Leonard set to return against Lakers

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

WARRIORS:

Is Curry the MVP and most improved?

http://espn.go.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/14218624/is-stephen-curry-mvp-most-improved-player-nba

What historic feats could be in store for Warriors?

http://espn.go.com/blog/statsinfo/post/_/id/111961/what-historic-feats-could-be-in-store-for-the-warriors-this-season

Warriors unselfish play gets Jeff Hornacek’s attention, praise

http://www.sfgate.com/warriors/article/Warriors-unselfish-play-gets-Jeff-Hornacek-s-6661380.php

As the NBA stays big, the Warriors win small

http://www.sfgate.com/sports/jenkins/article/As-the-NBA-stays-big-the-Warriors-win-small-6660828.php

Barnes exits early with ankle injury

http://www.csnbayarea.com/warriors/warriors-barnes-exits-early-vs-suns-left-ankle-injury

Walton might get credit for victories

http://www.mercurynews.com/warriors/ci_29172579/warriors-coach-luke-walton-might-get-credit-victories

Curry: Warriors talk about 33 in a row

http://hangtime.blogs.nba.com/2015/11/27/morning-shootaround-nov-27-3/#warriors

WIZARDS:

Wizards sleepwalk through rout in Boston

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/wizards-routed-by-celtics-111-78/2015/11/27/d8e6d7b4-9555-11e5-b5e4-279b4501e8a6_story.html

Nene says he definitely won’t play against Raptors

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wizards-insider/wp/2015/11/28/nene-says-he-definitely-wont-play-against-raptors/

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.