PHILOSOPHICAL QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.”
-Oscar Wilde
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NBA:
In current NBA, shooters are at a distinct advantage
The 10 biggest surprises from the NBA season so far
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2593771-the-10-biggest-surprises-from-the-nba-season-so-far
10 NBA teams that have to make a trade to stay in the playoff hunt
Week in review 11/29
http://www.basketballinsiders.com/basketball-insiders-week-in-review-1129/
KOBE BRYANT:
Dear Basketball – by Kobe Bryant
http://www.theplayerstribune.com/dear-basketball/
My high school teammate, Kobe Bryant – by Sam Laird
http://mashable.com/2015/11/29/kobe-bryant-high-school-teammates/ – hwRl_LfNOkqm
Twilight the Saga
http://www.si.com/longform/kobe/
Kobe Bryant to retire after this season: ‘My body knows it’s time to say goodbye’
Kobe Bryant called Michael Jordan this summer to reveal retirement plan
Kobe Bryant’s retirement announcement draws comments
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-sp-kobe-quotes-rail-20151130-story.html
Why Knick doesn’t believe Kobe Bryant will actually quit
http://nypost.com/2015/11/30/why-knick-doesnt-believe-kobe-bryant-will-actually-quit/
The night Kobe Bryant gave NY a glimpse at his legend
http://nypost.com/2015/11/29/the-night-kobe-bryant-gave-ny-a-glimpse-at-his-legend/
Uncharacteristic game vs Warriors signaled end for Kobe
http://www.csnbayarea.com/warriors/uncharacteristic-game-vs-warriors-signaled-end-kobe
Why Kobe Bryant was so important to the NBA
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14256934/why-kobe-bryant-was-important-nba
Why Kobe Bryant is not a top-10 all-time player
http://espn.go.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/14254853/is-kobe-bryant-top-10-all-player-nba
Why Kobe Bryant will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/lakers/2015/11/29/kobe-bryant-lakers-hall-of-fame/76544642/
Here’s when Kobe Bryant will visit your NBA city for the final time
Kobe Bryant announcement sends ripples through ticket resale system
NCAA:
Shevon Thompson flying under the radar
http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nba-sunday-shevon-thompson-flying-under-the-radar/
Kris Dunn helping his draft stock
http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nba-am-providence-kris-dunn-helping-his-draft-stock/
76ERS:
Sixers fall to 0-18, tie record for worst NBA start
Sixers suffer another ‘trying’ loss
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/20151130_Sixers_suffer_another__trying__loss.html
Best and Worst awards: Sixers vs. Grizzlies
http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/sports/sixers/Best-and-Worst-awards-Sixers-vs-Grizzlies1129.html
Sixers coach needs management’s help
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/20151130_Sixers_coach_needs_management_s_help.html
Okafor stopped for driving 108 MPH
http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/sports/sixers/Okafor-stopped-for-going-108-MPH-over-bridge.html
Jahlil Okafor tweets that ‘I own my choices,’ focused on team
BUCKS:
Lineup change doesn’t help slumping Bucks
http://www.jsonline.com/sports/bucks/milwaukee-bucks-vs-charlotte-hornets-b99624997z1-357898471.html
‘Seasoned’ Frank Kaminsky appealed to Jordan
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/358356191.html
MCW on benching: ‘I wouldn’t start me either’
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/358240251.html
BULLS:
Bulls could learn from visiting Spurs
http://chicago.suntimes.com/basketball/7/71/1138293/bulls-learn-visiting-spurs
Bulls excited to face gold-standard NBA franchise: the Spurs
Jimmy Butler leads all NBA shooting guards in real plus-minus
Bulls’ Mike Dunleavy to see doctor Monday after soreness
http://www.csnchicago.com/bulls/bulls-mike-dunleavy-see-doctor-monday-after-soreness
CAVALIERS:
NBA’s top 20 scorers all-time; LeBron James closes in on Alex English at 17th
LeBron James and the reshaping of the Cavaliers’ culture, identity
CELTICS:
Orlando gets big jump on Celtics
https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2015/11/30/celtics/jGO6PmaC5ejqbOar4jS8KN/story.html
Loss to Magic proves Celtics still looking for identity
http://www.csnne.com/boston-celtics/loss-magic-proves-celtics-still-looking-identity
Roiling rotation causing some issues
Rebounds are there, points are not for Sullinger
http://www.csnne.com/boston-celtics/rebounds-are-there-points-are-not-sullinger
Staff continues to put Jerebko in best position to succeed
https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2015/11/30/cnotes/pXVSb8QIWIvoyqaq7fm9GN/story.html
CLIPPERS:
Clippers turn to Luc Mbah a Moute in small forward starter auditions
http://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/la-sp-clippers-report-20151130-story.html
Clippers continue dominance over Timberwolves with 107-99 victory
http://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/la-sp-clippers-timberwolves-20151130-story.html
Clippers’ Blake Griffin ‘difficult’ to officiate
http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20151129/la-clippers-blake-griffin-difficult-to-officiate
GRIZZLIES:
Griz grab ugly 92-84 win against Sixers
Alarm forces FedExForum evacuation after Griz game
HAWKS:
Big week – with plenty of storylines – ahead for Hawks
HEAT:
An ‘OK’ start for Miami Heat, but schedule gets tougher’
http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nba/miami-heat/article47082865.html
Should more be drawn up for Whiteside, Green?
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/sfl-askira-story.html
HORNETS:
Hornets top Bucks, win fifth game in seven-game homestand
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nba/charlotte-hornets/article47074480.html
Hornets’ Tyler Hansbrough brings something extra to the game
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/tom-sorensen/article47091365.html
JAZZ:
Warriors still chasing history as they come to Utah
http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3243013-155/golden-state-warriors-still-chasing-history
Jazz excited for a crack at undefeated Warriors
KINGS:
Kings try to remain positive while DeMarcus Cousins recovers from injury
http://www.sacbee.com/sports/nba/sacramento-kings/kings-blog/article47105160.html
Rajon Rondo rejuvenates career after rough patch with Mavericks
http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nba/dallas-mavericks/article47112390.html
KNICKS:
Knicks blow 14-point lead, fall to Rockets in OT, 116-111
Knicks put on shooting clinic without Carmelo — until they blow it
http://nypost.com/2015/11/29/knicks-put-on-shooting-clinic-without-carmelo-until-they-blow-it/
Knicks’ Porzingis will remember Dwight Howard’s vicious slam
http://nypost.com/2015/11/30/knicks-porzingis-will-remember-dwight-howards-vicious-slam/
Real plus-minus rates Kristaps Porzingis No. 1 in rookie rankings
http://espn.go.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/14246180/kristaps-porzingis-no-1-nba
LAKERS:
Lakers lose a close one to Pacers on night Kobe Bryant talks retirement
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/lakersnow/la-sp-ln-lakers-pacers-game-20151129-story.html
Roy Hibbert’s reunion is in Kobe Bryant’s shadow as Lakers lose to Pacers
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-sp-lakers-pacers-20151130-story.html
MAGIC:
Magic beat Celtics 110-91, have winning record for 1st time since Nov. 8, 2013
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/os-magic-celtics-game-1130-20151129-story.html
Magic’s Evan Fournier plays against Celtics despite sore hip
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/os-orlando-magic-news-1130-20151129-story.html
Oladipo, Frye thriving in new lineup roles
http://www.nba.com/magic/news/oladipo-frye-thriving-new-lineup-roles
MAVERICKS:
The defense is there so it’s time for Wes Matthews to focus on fitting into the Mavs’ offense
Mavericks go on road to face struggling Kings
http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nba/dallas-mavericks/article47101730.html
NETS:
Nets edge past the Pistons with a late surge
Nets rally in fourth quarter to beat Pistons
NUGGETS:
Nuggets shooting 12 percent worse in second halves during skid
http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_29180615/nuggets-arent-first-half-bad
PACERS:
On Kobe’s night, Paul George cherishes final moments
Pacers 107, Lakers 103
http://www.nba.com/pacers/rewind-pacers-lakers-151129
PISTONS:
Brooklyn 87, Detroit 83: Frustrated Pistons fall to Nets
http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2015/11/29/detroit-pistons-brooklyn-nets/76523332/
Pistons’ Reggie Jackson: Fans’ taunts at players ‘reckless’
RAPTORS:
Suns drain 11 threes to stop Raptors 107-102
http://www.torontosun.com/2015/11/29/suns-drain-11-threes-to-stop-raptors-107-102
Sloppy Raptors eclipsed by Suns
http://www.thestar.com/sports/raptors/2015/11/29/sloppy-raptors-eclipsed-by-phoenix-suns.html
Suns snap Raptors’ four-game winning streak
ROCKETS:
Rockets rally from 15 down, top Knicks in OT
Clint Capela’s defensive abilities along the perimeter are vital to his role as a starter
Rockets’ Dwight Howard might not be done sitting out games
Rockets’ Donatas Motiejunas back at team’s shootaround
http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2015/11/rockets-donatas-motiejunas-back-at-teams-shootaround/
SPURS:
From football follies to prayers of gratitude, Spurs’ pregame rituals vary
Boys & Girls Club tie dates to youth for Spurs’ Aldridge
SUNS:
Suns put together complete effort to end Raptors’ win streak
Suns gave free agency look at DeMarre Carroll
THUNDER:
Is the Eastern Conf. catching up? Thunder says ‘no’ as it hits the road against Hawks, Heat
http://newsok.com/is-the-eastern-conference-catching-up/article/5463599
In strange scheduling quirk, the Thunder is finally set for its first multiple game road trip
TIMBERWOLVES:
Clippers make it 13 straight wins over Timberwolves
http://www.twincities.com/timberwolves/ci_29180259/clippers-107-timberwolves-99-clips-make-it-13
WARRIORS:
Warriors start long road trip minus Harrison Barnes
Warriors continue to re-write NBA record books
WIZARDS:
Wizards seem lost in transition to new offense
Wizards’ Marcin Gortat: ‘We got to cut the negativity’
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.