NBA Daily Links: 12.5.15

December 5, 2015 by Pete Newmann

PHILOSOPHICAL QUOTE OF THE DAY:

“Always be yourself and have faith in yourself. Do not go out and look for a successful personality and try to duplicate it.”

-Bruce Lee

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NBA:

Potential first-time All-Stars

http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nba-pm-potential-first-time-all-stars/

The second-best team in the East is… who knows?

http://www.sbnation.com/2015/12/4/9850940/nba-eastern-conference-heat-bulls-pacers-raptors

Swin Cash the latest woman to break barriers in broadcasting

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14289557/nba-swin-cash-taking-broadcast-basketball-talents-studio

Stephanie Ready no stranger to history as NBA’s first full-time female analyst

http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/04/us/stephanie-ready-first-nba-female-full-time-analyst/

Shaquille O’Neal: I spent about $1 million in about 45 minutes…and it was worth it

http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/04/sport/shaquille-oneal-and-charles-barkley-of-the-nba-impart-financial-advise/index.html

Alvin Robertson has charges dropped, but says “It ruined me. I lost everything.”

http://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/BKO-Spurs-Alvin-Robertson-12-5-6676141.php

TEAM USA:

Q&A: Jerry Colangelo may have a tough Olympic decision on Kobe Bryant

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2015/12/04/kobe-bryant-2016-rio-olympics-jerry-colangelo/76794434/

Will Kobe’s real goodbye be in Rio?

http://espn.go.com/blog/marc-stein/post/_/id/4118/why-kobe-could-make-rio-olympics-cut

KOBE BRYANT:

Scott: Kobe told me of retirement during game

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14290639/kobe-bryant-los-angeles-lakers-delivered-retirement-decision-coach-byron-scott-game

Kobe Bryant says post-playing career will be different than Magic Johnson’s

http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-sp-lakers-report-20151205-story.html

Kobe Bryant reveals who the real Kobe-stopper was

http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2015/12/4/9849402/kobe-bryant-interview-kobe-stopper

Kobe requests no more gifts, on-court ceremonies during farewell tour

http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/lakers/post/_/id/42302/kobe-requests-no-more-gifts-on-court-ceremonies-from-teams-during-farewell-tour

Kobe’s 5 titles – which was best?

http://www.si.com/nba/2015/12/04/kobe-bryant-championship-history-los-angeles-lakers-titles

NBA DRAFT:

A look at projected first-round picks

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2594106-2016-nba-mock-draft-very-early-look-at-all-30-projected-first-round-picks

76ERS:

Sixers await day when these struggles are long forgotten

http://www.nba.com/2015/news/features/shaun_powell/12/04/philadelphia-76ers-plan-appears-flawed-but-there-is-method-to-madness/index.html

Checking the temperature of The Process in Philly

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14287780/how-much-patience-sixer-fans-nba-process

Lawyer: Okafor not the assailant

http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/sports/sixers/Lawyer-Jahlil-Okafor-not-assailant-Boston-nightclub.html

Sixers release Pressey

http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/sports/sixers/Sixer-release-Pressey.html

Joel Embiid still growing

http://nba.nbcsports.com/2015/12/04/joel-embiid-still-growing-two-inches-taller-than-when-drafted/

BUCKS:

Pistons clutch free-throw shooting turns back Bucks

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/bucks/live-coverage-bucks-at-pistons-b99628250z1-360630991.html

Monroe sees a different side of the Palace

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/360585281.html

Keeping Monroe didn’t make financial sense to Pistons

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/bucks/keeping-greg-monroe-didnt-make-financial-sense-to-pistons-b99628253z1-360642701.html

The Bucks are terrible at everything

http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2015/12/4/9843650/milwaukee-bucks-defense-stats-greg-monroe

BULLS:

Dunleavy out 4-6 more weeks after setback

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14287575/mike-dunleavy-jr-chicago-bulls-expected-4-6-more-weeks

Q&A with Pau Gasol

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14286348/chicago-bulls-pau-gasol-qa-big-believer-power-sport

Bulls winning while adjusting to pace of Hoiberg’s offense

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/ct-offensive-pace-fred-hoiberg-bulls-spt-1205-20151204-story.html

Derrick Rose staying clear of contract talk – unless it’s his own

http://chicago.suntimes.com/basketball/7/71/1154229/derrick-rose-staying-clear-contract-talk-unless

CAVALIERS:

Despite LeBron’s heroics, Cavs lose in OT

http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2015/12/cleveland_cavaliers_new_orlean_4.html#incart_social_feature

LeBron’s crazy fourth quarter wasn’t enough

http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2015/12/lebron_james_new_orleans_pelic_1.html#incart_river_index

LeBron is OK with comparisons of LSU’s Ben Simmons to him

http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2015/12/lebron_james_ben_simmons.html#incart_river_index

LeBron returns to Miami, where he received the template

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/ethan-j-skolnick/article48111720.html

CELTICS:

Game against Spurs will measure Celtics progress

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2015/12/05/onhoop/rKWCXlCDeVJ3oLEHFYP8zN/story.html

Logjam in backcourt looming when Smart returns

http://www.csnne.com/boston-celtics/logjam-celtics-backcourt-coming-when-smart-returns

CLIPPERS:

Jamal Crawford will try to shoot his way out of slump

http://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/la-sp-clippers-report-20151205-story.html

JJ Redick reflects on his final Magic season

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/os-jj-redick-magic-clippers-1205-20151204-story.html

GRIZZLIES:

Grizzlies assign James Ennis to D-League

http://www.commercialappeal.com/sports/grizzlies/Grizzlies-assign-James-Ennis-to-D-Leagues-Iowa-Energy-360635481.html

HAWKS:

Hawks cashing in on Millsap’s big contract

http://www.myajc.com/news/sports/basketball/hawks-cashing-in-on-millsaps-big-contract/npbqm/?icmp=ajc_internallink_referralbox_free-to-premium-referral

Observations from Hawks win over Lakers

http://www.ajc.com/news/sports/basketball/five-observations-from-hawks-100-87-win-over-the-l/npcj9/

Lakers-Hawks report card

http://www.myajc.com/news/sports/basketball/lakers-hawks-report-card/npcmq/?icmp=ajc_internallink_referralbox_free-to-premium-referral

HEAT:

Cavs matchup to serve as measuring stick for Heat

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/fl-miami-heat-main-1205-20151204-story.html

HORNETS:

Rebounding becoming chronic flaw for Hornets

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nba/charlotte-hornets/article48036850.html

JAZZ:

Pacers, Jazz in different places headed into rematch

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3266766-155/utah-jazz-notes-pacers-jazz-in

Lack of communication led to turnover-filled Jazz loss

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865643095/Utah-Jazz-notebook-Lack-of-communication-led-to-turnover-filled-Jazz-loss.html

KINGS:

Willie Cauley-Stein dislocates finger, out 4-6 weeks

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14287547/willie-cauley-stein-sacramento-kings-4-6-weeks-dislocated-finger

Kings scramble to adjust after Cauley-Stein’s injury

http://www.sacbee.com/sports/nba/sacramento-kings/kings-blog/article48118850.html

Defensive woes continue to plague Kings

http://www.csnbayarea.com/kings/rewind-defensive-woes-continue-plague-kings

Maximum Rondo

http://www.si.com/nba/2015/12/04/kobe-bryant-championship-history-los-angeles-lakers-titles

KNICKS:

Who’s the king of New York? Porzingis

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14288010/nba-sizing-new-york-knicks-brooklyn-nets-rivalry

Carmelo, Porzingis look lethal in demolition of Nets

http://nypost.com/2015/12/04/carmelo-porzingis-look-lethal-in-knicks-demolition-of-nets/

Robin Lopez – and mom – win battle of the twins

http://nypost.com/2015/12/04/robin-lopez-and-his-mom-win-different-battle-of-twins/

The future has arrived for the Knicks

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2595910-new-york-knicks-ahead-of-schedule-and-friday-nba-takeaways

LAKERS:

Kobe Bryant and Lakers go tepidly during loss to Hawks

http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-sp-lakers-hawks-20151205-story.html

MAGIC:

Magic won’t face Chris Paul

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/os-orlando-magic-news-1205-20151204-story.html

Magic showing growth in all areas of game

http://www.nba.com/magic/news/magic-showing-growth-all-areas-game

MAVERICKS:

Twenty games in, Mavs look decent

http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-mavericks/mavericksheadlines/2015/12/04/twenty-games-mavericks-look-decent-dirk-get-better-like-chances?f=r

Second-half grit not enough for Mavs

http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nba/dallas-mavericks/article48143395.html

NETS:

Joe Johnson denies being dirty after elbow to Calderon’s face

http://nypost.com/2015/12/05/joe-johnson-denies-being-dirty-after-elbow-to-calderons-face/

Melo, Porzingis hot early as Knicks rout Nets

http://www.newsday.com/sports/basketball/knicks/carmelo-anthony-kristaps-porzingis-get-hot-early-as-knicks-rout-nets-1.11194727

NUGGETS:

Nuggets eye a trip-salvaging win at Philadelphia

http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_29203706/nuggets-eye-trip-salvaging-victory-at-philadelphia

PACERS:

Pacers shopping Solomon Hill

http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nba/pacers/2015/12/04/pacers-shopping-solomon-hill/76809294/

All access with Pacers

http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nba/pacers/insider/2015/12/04/all-access-pacers-roy-hibbert-talks—litte/76794060/

PELICANS:

Pelicans pull out tough OT win over Cavs

http://www.nola.com/pelicans/index.ssf/2015/12/new_orleans_pelicans_31.html#incart_river_index

Pelicans could be interested in trade for Pacers Solomon Hill

http://www.nola.com/pelicans/index.ssf/2015/12/new_orleans_pelicans_could_be_2.html#incart_river_index

Jrue Holiday’s new role will be as backup for the next few games

http://www.nola.com/pelicans/index.ssf/2015/12/jrue_holidays_new_role_will_be.html#incart_river_index

PISTONS:

Balanced attack helps Pistons stop Bucks

http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2015/12/04/detroit-pistons-milwaukee-bucks/76756890/

Brandon Jennings could be back in three weeks

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/25401223/brandon-jennings-suffers-minor-setback-could-be-back-in-three-weeks

RAPTORS:

Raptors need to take a page from Golden State’s playbook – beat bad teams

http://www.thestar.com/sports/raptors/2015/12/04/raptors-need-to-take-a-page-from-golden-states-playbook-beat-bad-teams.html

DeRozan has that Warrior spirit

http://www.torontosun.com/2015/12/04/raptors-demar-derozan-has-that-warrior-spirit

ROCKETS:

Jason Terry planned to join Jordan in Dallas

http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-mavericks/dallas-mavericks/2015/12/04/jason-terry-planned-join-deandre-jordan-dallas-shocked-jordan-reneged-mavs?f=r

Rockets edge Mavs for 4^th win in 5 games

http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2015/12/rockets-edge-mavericks-for-fourth-win-in-last-five-games/

Chandler Parsons raves about JB Bickerstaff

http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2015/12/chandler-parsons-raves-about-j-b-bickerstaff/

SPURS:

Spurs send Marjanovic, McCallum to D-League

http://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/Spurs-Aldridge-leans-on-Duncan-for-support-6675865.php

Spurs quietly building antidote to beating Warriors

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2595825-spurs-quietly-building-the-antidote-to-golden-state-warriors

SUNS:

Suns blow late lead again in deflating loss to Wizards

http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2015/12/04/suns-blow-late-lead-again-deflating-loss-wizards/76806794/

Morris returns but in bench role

http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2015/12/04/markieff-morris-returns-but-phoenix-suns-bench-role/76818104/

THUNDER:

Late-game struggles still haunting Thunder in early season losses

http://newsok.com/late-game-struggles-still-haunting-thunder-in-early-season-losses/article/5464775

Lack of aggression by Durant and Westbrook cost Thunder

http://newsok.com/lack-of-aggression-by-westbrook-durant-costs-thunder/article/5464669

WARRIORS:

Nash marvels at Curry’s wizardry

http://www.thestar.com/sports/basketball/2015/12/04/nash-marvels-at-currys-wizardry-arthur.html

Walton weighs team’s streak vs need to rest players

http://www.sfgate.com/warriors/article/Walton-weighs-streak-vs-rest-6676743.php

Draymond beats odds, keeps getting better

http://www.csnbayarea.com/warriors/draymond-beats-odds-keeps-getting-better-warriors

Stephen Curry is scoring better than MJ ever did

http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2015/12/4/9841438/stephen-curry-scoring-charts-michael-jordan

Are Warriors the best team in NBA history?

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/warriors/2015/12/04/golden-state-warriors-best-team-ever-steph-curry/76738834/

WIZARDS:

Wizards strange week concludes with strange win over Suns

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wizards-insider/wp/2015/12/05/wizards-strange-week-concludes-with-strange-ending-in-win-over-suns/

Wizards hold off Suns as Beal scores 34

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/wizards/wizards-hold-off-suns-109-106-as-bradley-beal-scores-34/2015/12/04/c7a8ba6e-9ada-11e5-b499-76cbec161973_story.html

Temple took own path to NBA

http://www.basketballinsiders.com/temple-shied-from-family-history-made-own-road-to-nba/

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.