PHILOSOPHICAL QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“Try, try, try, and keep on trying is the rule that must be followed to become an expert in anything.”
-W. Clement Stone
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NBA:
NBA owners lobbied Adam Silver to do something about 76ers
NBA players who have reinvented themselves this season
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2597009-nba-players-who-have-reinvented-themselves-this-season
The NBA at the first-quarter buzzer
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14316675/running-league-nba-hits-quarter-mark
First-quarter NBA awards
The ‘And Now for Something Completely Different’ Awards, Part 2
How long should NBA teams be allowed to rebuild?
http://www.sbnation.com/2015/12/8/9870712/nba-rebuilding-projects-hornets-magic-pacers-76ers-magic
NBA says traveling call missed on crucial 3-pointer in Wizards-Heat game
‘Constructive’ talks had between NBA, union with CBA opt-out looming
76ERS:
Colangelo hiring may lead to Hinkie’s exit
Jerry Colangelo will be driving force with Sixers
‘Process’-frustrated NBA owners smile with Sixers’ Jerry Colangelo hire
Sixers assign Wood, Landry to Sevens
http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/sports/sixers/Sixers-assign-Wood-Landry-to-Sevens.html
Fan pays more for a beer than a ticket to the 76ers game
http://national.suntimes.com/national-sports/7/72/2256810/fan-pays-beer-ticket-76ers-game/
BUCKS:
For Bucks’ Greivis Vasquez, waiting is the hardest part
BULLS:
Derrick Rose is abysmal from beyond the arc this season
http://chicago.suntimes.com/basketball/7/71/1164760/derrick-rose-abysmal-beyond-arc-season
Bulls’ defense is better under Fred Hoiberg than it was with Tom Thibodeau
http://chicago.suntimes.com/basketball/7/71/1163793/bulls-defense-better-fred-hoiberg-tom-thibodeau
It’s not panic time for the Bulls, but warning signs all around
http://www.csnchicago.com/bulls/its-not-panic-time-bulls-warning-signs-all-around
Bulls’ maddening inconsistency a situation screaming for change
Bulls’ biggest problem? Players and coaches keep citing effort
CAVALIERS:
James’ 33 points anchors Cavaliers to 105-100 win over Trail Blazers to end losing streak
LeBron James’ quietly awesome second quarter saves Cavaliers
Cavs third quarter lineup change makes difference and dominance against West continues
CELTICS:
Olynyk offering Instant ‘O’
http://www.csnne.com/boston-celtics/five-game-review-olynyk-offering-instant-o
Tough 6-game stretch looms for Celtics
CLIPPERS:
Jamal Crawford’s passing game has its points too
http://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/la-sp-clippers-report-20151209-story.html
Doc Rivers calls J.J. Redick and Chris Paul rusty in their return against Timberwolves
GRIZZLIES:
Thunder rolls over Griz, 125-88
Joerger has `bunched’ schedule on his mind
http://www.commercialappeal.com/sports/grizzlies/Joerger-has-360969921.html
HAWKS:
Millsap: Hawks on verge of breakthrough
http://www.myajc.com/news/sports/basketball/millsap-hawks-on-verge-of-breakthrough/npfWS/
Splitter’s return to Hawks lineup imminent
http://www.myajc.com/news/sports/basketball/splitters-return-to-hawks-lineup-imminent/npfTh/
Korver’s 3-point attempts down this season
http://www.myajc.com/news/sports/basketball/korvers-3-point-attempts-down-this-season/npfTP/
How Kyle Korver is making long twos sexy again
http://www.nba.com/hawks/features/how-kyle-korver-making-long-twos-sexy-again
HEAT:
In new-age NBA, Heat’s Hassan Whiteside doesn’t always fit in
http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/ethan-j-skolnick/article48738570.html
Do Heat consider Whiteside a max-contract talent?
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/sfl-askira-story.html
Luol Deng expects to return for Heat Wednesday in Charlotte
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/sfl-miami-heat-luol-deng-s120815-story.html
HORNETS:
4 trades in June changed the Charlotte Hornets’ path
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nba/charlotte-hornets/article48703410.html
JAZZ:
Slow start dooms Jazz in 114-106 loss at Kings
http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3278142-155/utah-jazz-slow-start-dooms-jazz
Jazz need strong defense, more than ever with Gobert out of the lineup
Rudy Gobert making strides on the long road to recovery
http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3283887-155/jazz-notes-rudy-gobert-making-strides
KINGS:
Kings end three-game skid, beat Jazz 114-106
http://www.sacbee.com/sports/nba/sacramento-kings/kings-blog/article48753250.html
Cousins plays through the pain and leads Kings to victory over Jazz
http://www.sacbee.com/sports/nba/sacramento-kings/kings-blog/article48759480.html
Karl says team’s transition defense must improve
http://www.sacbee.com/sports/nba/sacramento-kings/kings-blog/article48742835.html
KNICKS:
Phil Jackson’s free agents have Knicks mired in mediocrity
http://nypost.com/2015/12/08/phil-jacksons-free-agents-have-knicks-mired-in-mediocrity/
Knicks’ losing ways seem to be taking toll on Carmelo Anthony
Charles Barkley impressed with Knicks’ Kristaps Porzingis
LAKERS:
Lakers play Wednesday night in Minnesota against the Timberwolves
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-sp-lakers-tonight-20151209-story.html
This is the wrong goodbye for Kobe Bryant
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-sp-kobe-lakers-plaschke-20151209-column.html
Lakers should trade Nick Young, but good luck finding a partner
What are the odds the Lakers will be able to keep their 2016 first-round pick?
Minnesota’s Towns rooting for Lakers’ Russell to succeed
http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20151208/minnesotas-towns-rooting-for-lakers-russell-to-succeed
Trainer Gary Vitti is another longtime Laker who’s retiring after the season
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-sp-lakers-vitti-kobe-20151209-story.html
MAGIC:
Magic beat Nuggets 85-74, earn first win in Denver since Jan. 2009
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/os-magic-nuggets-game-1209-20151208-story.html
Postgame report: Magic vs. Nuggets (12/8/15)
http://www.nba.com/magic/news/postgame-report-magic-vs.-nuggets-12/8/15
Evan Fournier’s goal: snap out of his slump
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/os-orlando-magic-news-1209-20151208-story.html
Fournier appreciates opportunity Nuggets gave him
http://www.nba.com/magic/news/fournier-appreciates-opportunity-nuggets-gave-him
MAVERICKS:
After grueling early season travel schedule, Mavs looking forward to playing at home
Mavericks emerge from tough stretch fourth in West
http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nba/dallas-mavericks/article48732395.html
Adjustments in rotation helping the Mavs
http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nba/dallas-mavericks/full-court-press-blog/article48571055.html
Scouting Hawks-Mavs: Paul Millsap tough defensive matchup for Dirk Nowitzki
Stephen A. Smith says Mavs can beat Warriors, Rick Carlisle ‘figures out a way…’
Deron Williams gushing about Dallas sure to enrage Nets fans
http://nypost.com/2015/12/08/the-best-way-to-describe-deron-williams-move-to-dallas-great/
NETS:
Nets complete season sweep of Rockets
Nets again get past Rockets, James Harden
http://www.newsday.com/sports/basketball/nets/nets-again-get-past-rockets-james-harden-1.11208036
Thaddeus Young in it for the long haul
http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nba-pm-thaddeus-young-in-it-for-long-haul/
NUGGETS:
Nuggets falter in second half in loss to Orlando; now 3-7 at home
http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_29221445/nuggets-falter-second-half-loss-orlando-now-3
Nuggets rookie Emmanuel Mudiay will keep the faith
http://www.denverpost.com/kiszla/ci_29221774/mudiay-will-keep-faith
Jameer Nelson providing veteran leadership for young team in Denver
http://www.nba.com/magic/news/jameer-nelson-providing-veteran-leadership-young-team-denver
Nuggets’ Jameer Nelson is adjusting to life after the Magic
PACERS:
Pacers fall to the undefeated Warriors 131-123
Warriors roll; Pacers can’t block 23-0
PELICANS:
5 things to know about Anthony Davis
http://www.nola.com/pelicans/index.ssf/2015/12/5_things_to_know_about_anthony_4.html – 0
Pelicans expected to actively pursue trade talks to improve roster
RAPTORS:
Spurs knew Raptors’ Cory Joseph would be good
http://www.torontosun.com/2015/12/08/spurs-knew-raptors-cory-joseph-would-be-good
ROCKETS:
Rockets wait too long to find working formula in loss to Nets
Hard fall bruises Ariza’s back
Donatas Motiejunas’ post-up ability something Rockets may have missed
Stint in Brooklyn gave Rockets’ Jason Terry time to adjust to new role
SPURS:
Spurs teammates urge Boban to play ‘as big as he is’
Spurs’ Green still searching for old touch
SUNS:
Suns rally in Chicago could carry over
Suns steal win at Bulls with comeback, fadeaway
Morris happy for Suns despite reduced role http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2015/12/08/markieff-morris-happy-suns-win-despite-reduced-role/77008830/
THUNDER:
Thunder throttles Grizzlies behind small-ball surge in second quarter
Kevin Durant says Thunder struggles ‘nothing’ compared to worst seasons of his career
TIMBERWOLVES:
Kobe Bryant’s last game in Minnesota turns home team into fans
http://www.twincities.com/timberwolves/ci_29220183/kobe-bryants-biggest-games-vs-timberwolves
TRAIL BLAZERS:
Rash of turnovers doom Trail Blazers in, 105-100, loss to Cavaliers
Trail Blazers fall to LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
WARRIORS:
Warriors’ 27th straight win ties Miami for 2nd-longest streak
http://www.sfchronicle.com/warriors/article/Warriors-tie-Miami-for-NBA-s-second-best-6685025.php
Klay’s huge game paces Warriors to win No. 23
http://www.csnbayarea.com/warriors/instant-replay-klays-huge-game-paces-warriors-win-no-23
Klay’s injury, bad fourth overshadow Warriors’ 23rd win
http://www.csnbayarea.com/warriors/rewind-klays-injury-bad-fourth-overshadow-warriors-23rd-win
Warriors’ Klay Thompson doesn’t think ankle injury is serious
http://www.sfchronicle.com/warriors/article/Thompson-doesn-t-think-his-ankle-injury-is-6685312.php
Warriors’ Barbosa out with illness
http://www.sfchronicle.com/warriors/article/Warriors-Barbosa-out-with-illness-6684624.php
Steph Curry is irritated but still having fun
Steph Curry wants to dethrone Michael Jordan as the greatest ever
Is Curry the top pick if you were starting a franchise today?
WIZARDS:
Gary Neal is finding his range, and the Wizards are reaping the benefits
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.