PHILOSOPHICAL QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not.”
-André Gide
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NBA:
Durant, George named Players of the Week
Top 5 point guards in the NBA
http://www.slamonline.com/nba/top-5-point-guards/ – 8hGYe0aU8VVc28TU.97
NBA big men expanding their skills from three-point range
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2015/11/30/nba-big-men-shooting-three-pointers/76578740/
NBA power rankings
http://www.si.com/nba/2015/11/30/nba-power-rankings-okc-thunder-kevin-durant-russell-westbrook
Why your favorite NBA team won’t win the title this month
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2593629-why-your-favorite-nba-team-wont-win-the-title-this-month
KOBE BRYANT:
Kevin Durant frustrated by media’s handling of Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant’s NBA career by the numbers
Kobe Bryant deserves a better finish with Lakers
In most areas, good or bad, Kobe Bryant has simply done more
Kobe Bryant’s haters will miss him the most
http://www.sbnation.com/2015/11/30/9817980/kobe-bryant-retires-hater
Lakers’ Kobe Bryant credits Lower Merion’s Gregg Downer for molding his game
Lakers’ Kobe Bryant on Philadelphia: “I love that city no matter what”
Where does Kobe Bryant rank among the greatest Lakers of all time?
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-sp-kobe-bryant-greatest-lakers-20151130-htmlstory.html
Kobe Bryant plans to keep emotions in check during farewell tour with Lakers
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-sp-kobe-lakers-trip-20151201-story.html
Don’t expect Doc Rivers to be sentimental about Kobe Bryant’s Lakers exit
http://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/la-sp-clippers-report-20151201-story.html
Stanley Johnson sorry ‘big brother’ Kobe Bryant retiring
‘People will appreciate Kobe’ when he’s gone, DeRozan says
Want a Kobe Bryant retirement letter? It’ll cost you $1,000 on eBay
How Kobe Bryant threw a rookie off his game – and scored 47 points while doing it
NCAA:
Top 6 NBA draft prospects in college hoops
http://www.basketballinsiders.com/top-6-nba-draft-prospects-in-college-hoops/
Kris Dunn helping his draft stock
http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nba-am-providence-kris-dunn-helping-his-draft-stock/
76ERS:
Puzzling process for Sixers’ Brett Brown
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/20151201_Puzzling_process_for_Sixers__Brett_Brown.html
Jahil Okafor to be accompanied by security service off-the-court
How Kobe almost landed in Philly
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/20151201_How_Kobe_almost_landed_in_Philly.html
BUCKS:
Michael Carter-Williams bounces back to lead Bucks past Nuggets
http://www.jsonline.com/sports/bucks/bucks-vs-denver-nuggets-b99625330z1-359051861.html
Fouls once again are one of the Bucks’ troubles
BULLS:
Joakim Noah has vintage performance in Bulls’ win over Spurs
http://chicago.suntimes.com/basketball/7/71/1142079/joakim-noah-vintage-performance-bulls-win-spurs
Bulls beat Spurs despite zero field goals in final 6:30
Kawhi Leonard is getting the best of Jimmy Butler
http://chicago.suntimes.com/basketball/7/71/1142059/kawhi-leonard-getting-best-jimmy-butler
Joakim Noah admits to frustration, trying to find his way
http://www.csnchicago.com/bulls/bulls-joakim-noah-admits-frustration-trying-find-his-way
Mike Dunleavy to see specialists, do no on-court work for at least 2 weeks
Joakim Noah moves into ninth place in most games played as a Bull
http://chicago.suntimes.com/basketball/7/71/1142020/joakim-noah-moves-9-games-played-bull
CAVALIERS:
Kyrie Irving, Iman Shumpert make their practice debuts for Cavaliers
CELTICS:
Bradley leads Celtics to 105-95 win over Heat
http://www.csnne.com/boston-celtics/bradley-leads-celtics-105-95-win-over-heat
Bradley’s two-way game on display vs. Heat
http://www.csnne.com/boston-celtics/bradleys-two-way-game-display-vs-heat
Johnson active at both ends of floor
http://www.csnne.com/boston-celtics/stars-studs-and-duds-johnson-active-both-ends-floor
C’s record since Feb. 2015 speaks to team’s improvement
http://www.csnne.com/boston-celtics/cs-record-feb-2015-speaks-team-s-improvement
Heat rookie Justise Winslow caught Celtics’ eye
CLIPPERS:
Clippers lose Chris Paul in 102-87 victory over Trail Blazers
http://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/la-sp-clippers-trail-blazers-20151201-story.html
Clippers defeat Trail Blazers to win third in row
http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20151130/la-clippers-defeat-trail-blazers-to-win-third-in-row
Clippers making ‘exploratory calls’
http://clipperholics.com/2015/11/30/nba-trade-rumors-clippers-making-exploratory-calls/
GRIZZLIES:
Grizzlies’ Matt Barnes finding rhythm
Z-Bo returns, and just in time
HAWKS:
No points, no problem: Sefolosha key to Hawks win over Thunder
Five observations from Hawks’ 106-100 win over Thunder
Thunder-Hawks report card
http://www.myajc.com/news/sports/basketball/thunder-hawks-report-card/npY7j/
Horford-Donovan reunion will be a little “weird”
http://www.myajc.com/news/sports/basketball/horford-donovan-reunion-will-be-a-little-weird/npYqB/
HEAT:
Wade and Bosh not enough for Heat in 105-95 loss to Celtics
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/sfl-miami-heat-boston-celtics-s113015-story.html
Deng again out for Heat; Bosh plays through illness
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/sfl-miami-heat-luol-deng-s113015-story.html
Do Heat have enough of a motor to compete?
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/sfl-askira-story.html
Controlled aggression key for Hassan Whiteside this season
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/sfl-miami-heat-hassan-whiteside-s113015-story.html
HORNETS:
Hornets’ Al Jefferson to miss 2 to 3 weeks
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nba/charlotte-hornets/article47249610.html\
JAZZ:
Jazz fall just short of ending Warriors’ streak, lose 106-103
http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3243446-155/utah-jazz-fall-just-short-of
Jazz hold Curry down a bit, but Warrior star comes through in the clutch
Jazz make Warriors work for 19th victory
http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3247535-155/kragthorpe-utah-jazz-make-warriors-work
Jazz test league-best Warriors’ clutch
http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3247339-155/jazz-test-league-best-warriors-clutch
KINGS:
DeMarcus Cousins returns as Kings beat Mavericks 112-98
http://www.sacbee.com/sports/nba/sacramento-kings/article47285505.html
Kings’ Rondo faces former squad, ‘wasn’t my best’
http://www.csnbayarea.com/kings/gameday-kings-rondo-faces-former-squad-wasnt-my-best
Rajon Rondo finds new life in new city after ‘bad mix’ on the Mavericks
Rondo on playing the Mavericks: ‘It’s not Boston. It’s not a big deal’
George Karl searching for right ‘scam’ to improve perimeter defense
http://www.sacbee.com/sports/nba/sacramento-kings/kings-blog/article47283085.html
KNICKS:
Kristaps Porzingis’ double-doubles
Phil Jackson would’ve snubbed Porzingis for troubled Okafor
http://nypost.com/2015/12/01/phil-jackson-wouldve-snubbed-porzingis-for-troubled-okafor/
Jeanie Buss keeps torch lit for Phil Jackson in Lakers front office
http://nypost.com/2015/11/30/jeanie-buss-keeps-torch-lit-for-phil-jackson-in-lakers-front-office/
Up next for Knicks is historically awful 0-18 Sixers
Jimmer Fredette pours in 37 in unreal D-League Knicks debut
http://nypost.com/2015/11/30/jimmer-fredette-pours-in-37-in-unreal-d-league-knicks-debut/
LAKERS:
Kobe Bryant’s retirement could open new vistas and bring new hope for Lakers
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-sp-kobe-bryant-lakers-20151201-story.html
Next up for Lakers: at Philadelphia on Tuesday night
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-sp-lakers-tonight-20151201-story.html
MAGIC:
Defensive improvements by Channing Frye, Andrew Nicholson have helped the Magic
Orlando Magic prep for five-game road trip
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/os-orlando-magic-news-1201-20151130-story.html
Magic’s rotation of power forwards providing big boost
http://www.nba.com/magic/news/magics-rotation-power-forwards-providing-big-boost
Magic benefit from surprising lineup change
http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nba-pm-magic-benefit-from-surprising-lineup-change/
MAVERICKS:
Mavs’ miserable third quarter leads to road loss to Rajon Rondo and the Kings
Kings’ DeMarcus Cousins makes big impact in Mavs’ 112-98 loss
Cold-shooting Mavericks blow 14-point lead, surrender to Kings
http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nba/dallas-mavericks/article47290795.html
Wesley Matthews makes first visit to Portland since joining Mavericks
http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nba/dallas-mavericks/article47240320.html
NETS:
Nets rally in fourth quarter to beat Pistons
NUGGETS:
Nuggets losing streak at seven games with loss to Bucks
http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_29185365/nuggets-losing-streak-at-seven-games-loss-bucks
Malone points finger at himself after loss: “I have to do a much better job”
http://blogs.denverpost.com/nuggets/2015/11/30/michael-malone-nuggets-2/13500/
PACERS:
Pacers F Paul George named Player of the Week
PELICANS:
Pelicans’ Tyreke Evans, Norris Cole expected to make their debuts Tuesday vs. Grizzlies
Pelicans’ slow starts led to back-to-back losses on road trip
PISTONS:
Det. 116, Houston 105: Jackson lifts Pistons over Rockets
http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2015/11/30/detroit-pistons-houston-rockets/76550944/
Pistons’ Johnson getting more comfortable offensively
http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2015/12/01/stanley-johnson-detroit-pistons/76596204/
Pistons still playing down to poor opponents
http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2015/11/30/detroit-pistons/76570518/
RAPTORS:
Raptors’ DeMarre Carroll prepared for emotional Atlanta homecoming
ROCKETS:
Rockets can’t recover after spotting Pistons 28-point lead
Pistons push off Rockets’ late comeback bid
http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2015/11/pistons-push-off-rockets-late-comeback-bid/
J.B. Bickerstaff says he’s not done shuffling the rotation
Marcus Thornton searching for consistency with each opportunity he gets
SPURS:
Bulls’ defense strangles Spurs
Spurs’ Tim Duncan showing few effects of age in 19th season
How many wins for Spurs by Jan. 1?
When Popovich is ready, a Hall party is possible
SUNS:
Suns’ hot-shooting Mirza Teletovic back in Brooklyn
THUNDER:
Defensive breakdowns bite the Thunder in late loss in Atlanta
http://newsok.com/defensive-breakdowns-bite-the-thunder-in-late-loss-in-atlanta/article/5463843
Thunder forward Kevin Durant named Western Conference Player of the Week
TIMBERWOLVES:
Timberwolves’ Rubio ready to roll, Pekovic getting close
TRAIL BLAZERS:
Clippers 102, Trail Blazers 87
Clippers beat Trail Blazers, Hack-a-Jordan
Lillard leaves game with stomach virus, putting consecutive games streak in jeopardy
C.J. McCollum is breaking out and turning heads — even Kobe Bryant’s
http://www.sportingnews.com/nba-news/4662427-cj-mccollum-trail-blazers-portland-most-improved-player
Merritt Paulson interested in owning Trail Blazers
WARRIORS:
Warriors squeak past Jazz — streak grows to 19
http://www.sfchronicle.com/warriors/article/Warriors-squeak-past-Jazz-streak-grows-to-19-6666422.php
From bench to MVP, Warriors pull through in comeback
http://www.csnbayarea.com/warriors/rewind-bench-mvp-warriors-pull-through-comeback
Warriors grab first undefeated month in franchise history
http://www.csnbayarea.com/warriors/warriors-grab-first-undefeated-month-franchise-history
Warriors’ Harrison Barnes itches to return, but ankle not ready
Rush to replace Barnes again
http://www.sfchronicle.com/warriors/article/Warriors-Rush-to-replace-Barnes-again-6666124.php
Stephen Curry’s new shoe pays ode to Charlotte
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nba/article46418440.html
WIZARDS:
Wizards dealing with a wave of injuries
Wizards waive Martell Webster and sign Ryan Hollins to non-guaranteed contract
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.