NBA Daily Links: 12.6.15

PHILOSOPHICAL QUOTE OF THE DAY:

“Low self-confidence isn’t a life sentence. Self-confidence can be learned, practiced, and mastered–just like any other skill. Once you master it, everything in your life will change for the better.”

-Barrie Davenport

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NBA:

As 3-point shots fly, efficiency suffers

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/06/sports/basketball/shooting-efficiency-starts-to-waver-as-the-3-point-bricks-fly.html?ref=basketball

 

Curry, George highlight the early season All-Star team

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2015/12/05/stephen-curry-paul-george-blake-griffin-russell-westbrook-andre-drummond-lebron-james-nba-all-star/76796548/

 

With the Warriors on fire, NBA generating big bucks for TNT, ESPN

http://adage.com/article/media/nba-finals-a-blockbuster-abc/301593/

 

Ray Allen talks having to turn down golf invite from President Obama

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/ray-allen-talks-turn-obama-golf-invite-article-1.2456301

 

Alvin Williams brings NBA All-Star excitement to Regina

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/former-raptor-alvin-williams-nba-all-star-regina-1.3352504

 

KOBE BRYANT:

Kobe reflects on 2004 Finals loss, content with 5 rings

http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/lakers/post/_/id/42306/kobe-reflects-on-2004-finals-loss-to-pistons-says-hes-content-with-just-five-rings

 

Kobe fine with championship ring count

http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20151205/kobe-bryant-fine-with-his-lakers-championship-ring-count

 

Kobe Bryant deserves his due

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2015/12/06/kobe-bryant-deserves-his-due/XytTeihLsh4uDCtTlhGFzI/story.html

 

Kobe Bryant put a lot of thought into retirement plan

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2015/12/06/kobe-bryant-put-lot-thought-into-retirement-plan/l1RoX4HBSLGSqqeZhngUlN/story.html

 

76ERS:

Sixers lose late one to Nuggets

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/20151206_Sixers_give_up_another_fourth-quarter_lead_in_loss_to_Nuggets.html

 

Sixers plan could change fans memories

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/20151206_Inside_the_76ers__If_the_plan_works__fans__memories_could_be_short.html

 

On NBA’s worst team, McConnell lives the dream

http://triblive.com/sports/nationworldsports/9568336-74/mcconnell-nba-game#axzz3tWERauNf

 

BUCKS:

Bucks take control in third quarter this time

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/bucks/bucks-vs-knicks-b99628295z1-360691191.html

 

Kidd opts for Mayo at PG; MCW still off bench

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/bucks/mayo-not-carter-williams-gets-start-with-3-point-guards-out-b99628297z1-360697831.html

 

Bucks recall Inglis from D-League

http://www.foxsports.com/wisconsin/story/milwaukee-bucks-damien-inglis-nba-development-league-recalled-from-canton-120515

 

BULLS:

Bulls lacking again in energy and defense in loss to Hornets

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/ct-bulls-fall-hornets-report-spt-1206-20151205-story.html

 

Noah listening to his body and it’s telling him he feels good

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/ct-joakim-noah-bits-bulls-hornets-spt-1206-20151205-story.html

 

Hoiberg says it’s still too early to judge McDermott and Snell

http://chicago.suntimes.com/basketball/7/71/1156853/fred-hoiberg-says-still-early-judge-doug-mcdermott-tony-snell

 

Gasol after 1000^th game: I’m proud of my career

http://www.csnchicago.com/bulls/bulls-gasol-after-1000th-game-im-proud-my-career

 

CAVALIERS:

LeBron could use a helping hand

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14293760/lebron-james-needs-more-help-cavs

 

With LeBron out, Heat dismantle Cavs

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

 

Heat fans heckled LeBron, calling him tired

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

 

Sore LeBron skips game vs Heat… Are you kidding me?

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/fl-hyde-heat-lebron-cavaliers-1206-20151205-column.html

 

CELTICS:

Good things happen when the team shares

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/celtics/2015/12/celtics_notebook_good_things_happen_when_team_shares

 

Celtics valiant in loss to San Antonio

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2015/12/05/celtics/1ZzU4O6KO5FpANDmVWAVBO/story.html

 

David Lee longs for more playing time

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2015/12/05/david-lee-longs-for-more-playing-time/5TVBd8JKcOcD2zX8506U1K/story.html

 

CLIPPERS:

Sam Cassell grateful to Flip Saunders for giving him a chance to coach

http://www.startribune.com/sam-casell-grateful-to-flip-saunders-for-giving-him-his-first-chance-to-coach/360689111/

 

Clippers beat Magic

http://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/clippersnow/la-sp-cn-clippers-orlando-magic-20151205-story.html

 

HAWKS:

Three Hawks make D-League appearances Saturday

http://www.myajc.com/news/sports/basketball/three-hawks-make-d-league-appearances-saturday/npc67/?icmp=ajc_internallink_referralbox_free-to-premium-referral

 

Hawks assign Patterson to D-League

http://www.myajc.com/news/sports/basketball/hawks-assign-patterson-to-d-league/npcqq/?icmp=ajc_internallink_referralbox_free-to-premium-referral

 

HEAT:

Yes, it’s early, but the Heat being first in the East matters

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/ethan-j-skolnick/article48272520.html

 

Heat crush Cavs sans LeBron

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nba/miami-heat/article48266750.html

 

Heat approach is about now, as others wait

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/sfl-ira-nba-column-s120615-column.html

 

HORNETS:

Nic Batum leads Hornets past Bulls

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nba/charlotte-hornets/article48263110.html

 

Hornets played with an edge, won a big one in Chicago

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nba/charlotte-hornets/article48273390.html

 

JAZZ:

Booker fights off flu for big game vs Pacers

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3263031-155/utah-jazz-trevor-booker-fights-off

 

Team badly misses Rudy Gobert’s rebounding

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3263030-155/utah-jazz-notes-team-badly-misses

 

Jazz beat Pacers in OT

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3262934-155/utah-jazz-beat-indiana-pacers-122-119

 

KINGS:

Kings, Cousins shut down by Dwight Howard in loss to Rockets

http://www.sacbee.com/sports/nba/sacramento-kings/kings-blog/article48270395.html

 

Karl reluctant to play matchup games with lineup in flux

http://www.sacbee.com/sports/nba/sacramento-kings/kings-blog/article48269495.html

 

KNICKS:

Porzingis hits the wall in Knicks disheartening loss

http://nypost.com/2015/12/05/kristaps-porzingis-hits-the-wall-in-knicks-disheartening-loss/

 

How Knicks found frontcourt complement for starting 5 force

http://nypost.com/2015/12/05/how-knicks-found-frontcourt-complement-for-starting-5-force/

 

Secrets to Porzingis’s success: Skill, Consistency, Hard Work, Magic

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/06/sports/basketball/secrets-to-kristaps-porzingiss-success-skill-consistency-hard-work-magic.html?ref=basketball&_r=0

 

LAKERS:

Magic Johnson has some advice for Jim Buss: Just be an owner

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/25402315/magic-johnson-has-some-advice-for-jim-buss-just-be-an-owner

 

MAGIC:

Tobias Harris’ return to small forward has paid big dividends

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/os-magic-tobias-harris-1206-20151205-story.html

 

Magic blow late lead, fall to Clippers

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/os-magic-clippers-game-20151206-story.html

 

Gordon, Payton recall their Lakers pre-draft workouts

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/os-orlando-magic-news-1206-20151205-story.html

 

MAVERICKS:

Wesley Matthews putting up career-low numbers

http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nba/dallas-mavericks/article48252900.html

 

NETS:

Relationship between Jarrett Jack and Stephen Curry deeper than basketball

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/brooklyn-nets/post/_/id/23213/the-relationship-between-jarrett-jack-and-stephen-curry-goes-deeper-than-just-basketball

 

Nets ready to host Warriors

http://www.newsday.com/sports/basketball/nets/nets-ready-to-host-unbeaten-warriors-1.11196766

 

Knicks seem to have found their savior, but who is going to save Nets?

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/brooklyn-nets/post/_/id/23201/knicks-and-nets-going-in-opposite-directions

 

NUGGETS:

Gallinari dealing with pain in knee

http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_29208244/danilo-gallinari-dealing-pain-knee

 

A sixth-man sense that Will Barton is special

http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_29207257/dempsey-sixth-man-sense-that-will-barton-is

 

PACERS:

George scores career-high 48, Pacers fall to Jazz in OT

http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nba/pacers/2015/12/06/despite-career-night-paul-george-pacers-fall-overtime-jazz/76871828/

 

PELICANS:

Alvin Gentry concerned about winning, not trade speculation

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

 

Jrue Holiday says bench role lets him get in rhythm easier

http://www.nola.com/pelicans/index.ssf/2015/12/new_orleans_pelicans_guard_jru_3.html#incart_river_index

 

Anthony Davis needs to be the full-time center

http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2015/12/5/9853502/anthony-davis-pelicans-center-omer-asik

 

PISTONS:

Pistons revere Kobe Bryant before his final visit to Palace

http://www.freep.com/longform/sports/nba/pistons/2015/12/05/detroit-pistons-kobe-bryant-final-matchup/76852454/

 

SVG: We couldn’t be more fortunate to have Morris

http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2015/12/05/detroit-pistons-marcus-morris/76824426/

 

RAPTORS:

Raptors give Warriors a scare, but streak rolls on

http://www.thestar.com/sports/raptors/2015/12/05/raptors-give-warriors-scare-but-streak-rolls-on.html

 

Raptors celebrate life of Mandela

http://www.torontosun.com/2015/12/05/raptors-celebrate-life-of-mandela

 

ROCKETS:

Harden, Howard leads Rockets to win over Kings

http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2015/12/howard-harden-lead-rockets-to-win-over-kings/

 

Coaching staff trying to get James Harden the ball in different situations

http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2015/12/rockets-coaching-staff-trying-to-get-james-harden-the-ball-in-different-situations/

 

Karl believes the best is yet to come for Ty Lawson

http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2015/12/kings-coach-george-karl-believes-the-best-is-yet-to-come-for-rockets-pg-ty-lawson/

SPURS:

Spurs want Marjanovic to marinate

http://www.expressnews.com/sports/article/Spurs-want-Marjanovic-to-marinate-6678705.php

 

Kawhi Leonard keeps improving

http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nba-saturday-kawhi-leonard-keeps-improving/

 

SUNS:

Suns 4^th quarter failures cost chance to rise in West

http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2015/12/05/suns-4th-quarter-failures-cost-chance-rise-west/76854026/

 

TIMBERWOLVES:

Timberwolves blow another 17-point lead, lose to Blazers

http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_29208031/timberwolves-blow-another-17-point-lead-lose-blazers

 

Gary Payton works with Timberwolves guards

http://www.twincities.com/timberwolves/ci_29207492/timberwolves-hall-famer-gary-payton-works-guards

 

Wolves assign Tyus Jones to D-League

http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/wolves-assign-tyus-jones-to-idaho-stamped-nba-development-league

 

TRAIL BLAZERS:

Blazers hold on late against Wolves

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2015/12/blazers_timberwolves_game_rewind.html#incart_river_index

 

Vonleh is the Blazers starting power forward for now; Leonard will come off bench

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2015/12/noah_vonleh_is_the_trail_blazers_starting_power_fo.html#incart_river_index

 

WARRIORS:

Luke Walton’s stock is rising as Warriors shots keep falling

http://www.latimes.com/sports/nba/la-sp-nba-trends-20151206-story.html

 

How rest and fun turned perfect Warriors into a monster

http://nypost.com/2015/12/05/how-rest-and-fun-transformed-perfect-warriors-into-a-monster/

 

Stephen Curry makes greatness seem routine

http://www.thestar.com/sports/basketball/2015/12/05/warriors-stephen-curry-makes-greatness-seem-routine-arthur.html

 

Perfect start reaches 21 behind – who else? – Curry

http://www.sfgate.com/warriors/article/Warriors-perfect-start-reaches-21-behind-6678557.php

 

Warriors popularity sweeping nation, world

http://www.sfgate.com/warriors/article/Warriors-popularity-sweeping-nation-world-6678633.php

 

Luke keeps the engine revving

http://www.sportingnews.com/nba-news/4686738-luke-walton-golden-state-warriors-interim-head-coach-undefeated-steve-kerr-stephen-curry-andre-iguodala-draymond-green

 

Nash: Curry’s shooting a revolution in evolving NBA

http://www.csnbayarea.com/warriors/nash-currys-shooting-revolution-evolving-nba

 

WIZARDS:

Wizards go small and have a ball

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/wizards/washington-wizards-go-small-and-have-a-ball/2015/12/05/528960f6-9b9a-11e5-b499-76cbec161973_story.html

 

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.