PHILOSOPHICAL QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“Progress always involves risk; you can’t steal second base and keep your foot on first.”
-Frederick Wilcox
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NBA:
NBA Power Rankings: Warriors bring circus to town, hold serve at No. 1
Ranking the most attractive trade targets in the NBA
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2596699-ranking-the-most-attractive-trade-targets-in-the-nba
Red light, green light: Evaluating the NBA’s latest rumors
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2596648-red-light-green-light-evaluating-the-nbas-latest-rumors
Predicting the next wave of future max-contract NBA stars
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2595549-predicting-the-next-wave-of-future-max-contract-nba-stars
Ranking the NBA’s central teams
http://www.basketballinsiders.com/ranking-the-nbas-central-teams/
Stephen Curry, Paul George highlight the early season All-Star team
Comparing Curry and Bryant in his prime on scoring
NBA will provide customized video highlights
NBA committee to examine tendon injuries
http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/73769/nba-committee-to-examine-tendon-injuries
LeBron James’s deal with Nike becomes contract for life
JERRY COLANGELO:
Adding Jerry Colangelo a slam dunk for Sixers
Sixers’ Hinkie badly needs Colangelo’s help
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/20151208_Sixers__Hinkie_badly_needs_Colangelo_s_help.html
Jerry Colangelo hire by 76ers follows pressure on NBA from owners
What Jerry Colangelo’s presence could mean for 76ers
http://espn.go.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/14316363/jerry-colangelo-hiring-mean-philadelphia-sixers
76ERS:
Sixers are crushed by the Spurs, 119-68
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/20151208_Sixers_are_crushed_by_the_Spurs__119-68.html
Wroten to the rescue?
http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/sports/sixers/Wroten-to-the-rescue.html
BUCKS:
Bucks come through in the clutch
http://www.jsonline.com/sports/bucks/bucks-vs-trail-blazers-b99629417z1-360863521.html
Bucks coach Jason Kidd sees signs of improvement
BULLS:
Bulls defense collapses in fourth quarter of 103-101 loss to Suns
Bulls’ inconsistency shows in stats, but defense has been a ‘constant’
Pau Gasol fills up the stat sheet but can’t get a Bulls win
http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/7/71/1162366/pau-gasol-fills-stat-sheet-cant-get-bulls-win
Bulls blow double-digit lead and lose on last-second shot
Search for ‘killer instinct’ continues for the Bulls after a heart-breaking loss
CAVALIERS:
James ‘OK’ with not playing against the Heat, said Cavaliers ‘will figure it out’ amidst losing
Cavs coach David Blatt hopes returns of Kyrie Irving, Iman Shumpert are ‘sooner than later’
Guard Mo Williams undergoes MRI on knee; expected to play Tuesday against Portland
CELTICS:
Thomas leads Celtics past struggling Pelicans 111-93
Young makes the most of his minutes vs. Pelicans
http://www.csnne.com/boston-celtics/young-makes-most-his-minutes-vs-pelicans
Sullinger and Thomas help Celtics overpower Pelicans
Perkins sees only upside in old team
CLIPPERS:
Clippers beat Timberwolves, 110-106, after battle of free throws
http://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/la-sp-clippers-timberwolves-20151208-story.html
Luc Mbah a Moute is making a big impact for Clippers
http://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/la-sp-clippers-report-20151208-story.html
DeAndre Jordan’s big game lifts Clippers over Timberwolves
GRIZZLIES:
Reserves giving Griz a shot in the arm
Tony Allen’s declining role, the week ahead and more
Things are turning around for the Grizzlies
http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nba-pm-things-are-turning-around-for-the-memphis-grizzlies/
HAWKS:
Hardaway Jr. sees D-League stint as weight off shoulders
HEAT:
Heat falls to Wizards 114-103 despite shooting 59 percent
http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nba/miami-heat/article48553650.html
Wizards go small, cut down Heat 114-103
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/sfl-miami-heat-washington-wizards-s120715-story.html
Readers vent on absence of Whiteside
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/sfl-askira-story.html
East standings not at top of Heat’s priorities at moment
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/sfl-miami-heat-dwyane-wade-s120715-story.html
HORNETS:
Hornets hit the boards to dominate the Pistons
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nba/charlotte-hornets/article48545280.html
Hornets showed Monday they can rebound; the question is consistency
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nba/charlotte-hornets/article48558055.html
JAZZ:
Holding leads troublesome for Jazz
http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3278446-155/utah-jazz-notes-holding-leads-troublesome
Rodney Hood looking to get his groove back
http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3275478-155/utah-jazz-rodney-hood-looking-to
KINGS:
Kings remain positive despite rough start to the season
http://www.sacbee.com/sports/nba/sacramento-kings/kings-blog/article48550410.html
NBA power rankings roundup: Kings could use a parachute
http://www.sacbee.com/sports/nba/sacramento-kings/article48558445.html
KNICKS:
Knicks lose to Mavs despite Kristaps Porzingis’ 28 points
Carmelo Anthony has frustrating night in Knicks loss to Mavericks
Kristaps Porzingis evokes Dirk Nowitzki but can’t beat the real thing
A few more Knicks’ wins would help Carmelo find happy place
http://nypost.com/2015/12/08/mark-cuban-mavs-were-ready-to-trade-up-for-real-deal-porzingis/
Rick Carlisle praises Phil Jackson for rebuilding Knicks
LAKERS:
Lakers’ Kobe Bryant looks more efficient in 102-93 loss to Raptors
Lakers’ D’Angelo Russell, Julius Randle not thrilled with bench role in 102-93 loss to Raptors
D’Angelo Russell and Julius Randle head to the bench; Lakers head to defeat yet again
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-sp-lakers-raptors-20151208-story.html
General Manager Mitch Kupchak hears Lakers fans, and feels their pain too
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-sp-lakers-kupchak-20151208-story.html
Byron Scott decides to bench D’Angelo Russell and Julius Randle for next ‘5-10’ games
Lakers: Predictions for week 7
Kobe Bryant still could help the Lakers; he just won’t take this role
Shaquille O’Neal on Kobe Bryant: ‘Hopefully he’s happy’
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-sp-lakers-report-20151207-story.html
Kobe once defined game, but it has changed
http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/2015/12/07/kobe-bryant-detroit-pistons/76928552/
MAGIC:
Jason Smith developed his work ethic in the farming town of Kersey, Colo.
Victor Oladipo’s knee is fine, and he’s expected to play in Denver
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/os-orlando-magic-news-1208-20151207-story.html
Oladipo and Fournier’s scoring abilities key for Magic
http://www.nba.com/magic/news/oladipo-and-fourniers-scoring-abilities-key-magic
MAVERICKS:
Nowitzki calls Porzingis comparisons ‘more than fair,’ but the vet took home the win in MSG
Nowitzki’s hot start helps Mavericks escape Porzingis, Knicks
http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nba/dallas-mavericks/article48559835.html
Mavericks guard Deron Williams flourishes with change of scenery
http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nba/dallas-mavericks/article48554645.html
Deron Williams tells it like it is (and was) in his return to NYC
Matthews was in a red-hot 3-point zone
http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nba/dallas-mavericks/full-court-press-blog/article48393260.html
Before selecting Anderson, Mavs were big fans of Knicks’ draft picks Porzingis and Grant
Deron Williams fullfills expectations with Mavericks
NETS:
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson sidelined with fractured ankle
NUGGETS:
Emmanuel Mudiay gets help from Mike Miller on 3s
http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_29215386/mudiay-gets-help-from-miller-3s
PACERS:
Pacers vs. Warriors a must-see game Tuesday
Paul George on playing the Warriors: ‘As good as it’s going to get”
Stephen Curry, Golden State drive local ticket market to rare heights
PELICANS:
Alvin Gentry blasts his players’ poor effort after Monday night’s 111-93 loss to the Celtics
Celtics dominate listless Pelicans in ugly effort
Boston Celtics 111, New Orleans Pelicans 93 | By the numbers
Pelicans forward Anthony Davis: ‘We didn’t play hard and compete’
Kendrick Perkins could return from pectoral injury later this month
Pelicans’ Ryan Anderson providing help beyond his 3-point shooting
PISTONS:
Win streak ends as Pistons buzzed by Hornets, 104-84
http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2015/12/07/detroit-pistons-charlotte-hornets/76944320/
Pistons’ Jackson to teammates: ‘Shoot your shot’
http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2015/12/07/detroit-pistons-reggie-jackson/76961566/
Pistons’ Jackson named East’s player of the week
RAPTORS:
Roster-thin Raptors get it done against Lakers
http://www.thestar.com/sports/raptors/2015/12/07/roster-thin-raptors-get-it-done-against-lakers.html
Raptors win ugly in Kobe Bryant’s last Toronto visit
http://www.torontosun.com/2015/12/07/raptors-win-ugly-in-kobe-bryants-last-toronto-visit
Raptors lose DeMarre Carroll, Lucas Nogueira to injury
Toronto’s love affair with Kobe Bryant continues
http://www.torontosun.com/2015/12/07/torontos-love-affair-with-kobe-bryant-continues
Raptors’ new defense actually might stay good for an entire season
ROCKETS:
Donatas Motiejunas still in process of knocking off rust in return to Rockets
J.B. Bickerstaff runs first road practice as leader of Rockets
Rockets utilize Trevor Ariza’s defensive versatility
http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2015/12/rockets-utilize-trevor-arizas-defensive-versatility/
Rockets reportedly mull Markieff Morris trade http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2015/12/07/houston-rockets-reportedly-mull-markieff-morris-trade/76945038/
SPURS:
Boban, Spurs slam Philly
http://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/Boban-Spurs-slam-Philly-6682718.php
Bad sandwich sidelines Leonard
What we learned from Spurs’ 51-point drubbing of 76ers
Kawhi Leonard, defense receive high praise
http://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/Spurs-links-6680451.php
SUNS:
Suns steal win from Bulls with comeback, late fadeaway
Markieff Morris on the move?
http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nba-am-markieff-morris-on-the-move/
THUNDER:
Billy Donovan wants more consistency from OKC’s transition defense
http://newsok.com/billy-donovan-wants-more-consistency-from-okcs-transition-defense/article/5465345
Players, coaches attend Cameron Payne’s high school jersey retirement in Memphis
TIMBERWOLVES:
Timberwolves let lead, game slip away to Clippers
http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_29215659/timberwolves-let-lead-game-slip-away-clippers
Shabazz Muhammad has strong game while settling in
TRAIL BLAZERS:
Bucks stun Trail Blazers late, 90-88
Blazers loss in Milwaukee prompts rare locker room conversation between Lillard and Stotts
Trail Blazers surging bench, the jumbled Western Conference race
WARRIORS:
Warriors’ win streak needs to end
http://www.sfchronicle.com/warriors/article/Warriors-win-streak-needs-to-end-6682392.php
Warriors see Brooklyn, Indianapolis as arena blueprints
http://www.sfchronicle.com/warriors/article/Warriors-see-Brooklyn-Indianapolis-as-arena-6682406.php
Steph Curry named Western Conference Player of the Week
http://www.csnbayarea.com/warriors/steph-curry-named-western-conference-player-week
Warriors crush spirits with treys: ‘Like a monster dunk’
http://www.csnbayarea.com/warriors/warriors-devastate-teams-treys-monster-dunk
Andre Iguodala jokes only way to stop Warriors is to ‘shoot us and kill us’
Opposition growing against W’s Mission Bay arena
http://www.csnbayarea.com/warriors/critics-opposition-growing-against-ws-mission-bay-arena
WIZARDS:
Short(handed) Wizards make Heat adjust to their small-ball lineup
Hobbled John Wall leads shorthanded Wizards in victory over Heat
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.