NBA Daily Links: 12.10.15

December 10, 2015 by Pete Newmann

PHILOSOPHICAL QUOTE OF THE DAY:

“Confidence comes not from always being right but from not fearing to be wrong.”

-Peter T. McIntyre

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NBA:

NBA suspends Al Jefferson 5 games for anti-drug program violation

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nba/charlotte-hornets/article48853420.html

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/hornets/2015/12/09/hornets-al-jefferson-suspended-nba/77051086/

25 things we learned in the first quarter of the season

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/25407717/25-things-we-learned-through-the-first-quarter-of-the-nba-season

Top social media accounts in NBA

http://www.si.com/nba/2015/12/09/top-nba-players-to-follow-twitter-facebook-instagram-stephen-curry-lebron-james

Ex-NBA player Hot Rod Williams has cancer, is ‘fighting for his life’

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/report–ex-nba-player-john–hot-rod–williams-has-cancer—fighting-for-his-life-192343256.html

Ex-NBA player Jeff Adrien arrested for felony charge

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2015/12/09/former-nba-player-jeff-adrien-arrested-felony-charge/77040676/

The myth of brilliant NBA timeout play calling

https://sports.vice.com/en_us/article/the-myth-of-brilliant-nba-timeout-play-calling?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=GMIB%2012/9/2015&utm_term=NBA%20National%20Newsletter

76ERS:

Okafor struggling since his issues surfaced

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/20151209_Okafor_struggling_since_problems_surfaced.html

Brown must adjust his roster

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/20151210_Sixers__Brett_Brown_eager_for_injured_players_to_return.html

NBA still investigating Okafor, no discipline yet

http://www.tmz.com/2015/12/09/jahlil-okafor-nba-still-investigating-street-fights-no-discipline-yet/

BUCKS:

Redick, Clippers sink Bucks

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/bucks/live-updates-bucks-vs-clippers-b99631248z1-361337031.html

BULLS:

Q&A with Jimmy Butler

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14319127/jimmy-butler-chicago-bulls-start

Identity crisis continues for Bulls in third straight loss

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/ct-bulls-lose-third-straight-report-spt-1210-20151209-story.html

Bulls make switch, start Gibson for Mirotic

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/ct-gibson-mirotic-bits-bulls-spt-1210-20151209-story.html

Derrick Rose’s shooting problems begin at the rim

http://chicago.suntimes.com/basketball/7/71/1167337/derrick-rose-shooting-problems-begin-rim

Not all Bulls players appreciate the soft label given by Jimmy Butler

http://chicago.suntimes.com/basketball/7/71/1168789/bulls-players-appreciate-soft-label-given-jimmy-butler

CAVALIERS:

For one night at least, it’s a small world

http://espn.go.com/blog/cleveland-cavaliers/post/_/id/1625/cavs-preferred-style-stuck-between-a-small-and-a-big-place

CELTICS:

Is Boston the East’s best team?

http://espn.go.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/14324786/boston-celtics-better-chicago-bulls-rest-eastern-conference-nba

James Young grows up before C’s eyes

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

Anniversary of Danny Ainge’s first game brings back painful memories

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/celtics/celtics_insider/2015/12/anniversary_of_danny_ainges_first_nba_game_brings_back

Celtics get physical in win over Bulls

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2015/12/10/celtics-get-physical-win-over-bulls/jz8VMfZUF3N6iHe6asjqCN/story.html

Lee has no regrets

http://www.mercurynews.com/warriors/ci_29226825/celtics-lee-has-no-regrets-about-move?source=rss

CLIPPERS:

How the Clippers lured DeAndre Jordan back to Los Angeles

http://espn.go.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/14315858/how-clippers-lured-deandre-jordan-back-los-angeles

Mbah a Moute gets starting role with Clippers

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/361345681.html

Struggling Paul Pierce not ready to quit just yet

http://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/la-sp-clippers-report-20151210-story.html

Clippers beat Bucks, win third straight

http://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/clippersnow/la-sp-cn-clippers-milwaukee-bucks-game-20151209-story.html

GRIZZLIES:

Matt Barnes’ halfcourt heave helps Griz down Pistons

http://www.commercialappeal.com/sports/grizzlies/detroit-plays-memphis-26807655-0eb5-7a9b-e053-0100007fd723-361357881.html

HAWKS:

Observations from Hawks win over Mavericks

http://www.myajc.com/news/sports/basketball/five-observations-from-the-hawks-98-95-win-over-th/npgRL/?icmp=ajc_internallink_referralbox_free-to-premium-referral

HEAT:

Sloppy Heat suffer ‘butt-whupping’ against Hornets

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nba/miami-heat/article48935380.html

Whiteside is practicing small ball, confident he can be effective

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nba/miami-heat/article48892410.html

Whiteside eager to test defensive skills on perimeter

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/sfl-miami-heat-hassan-whiteside-s120915-story.html

Bosh mulls appealing fines in wake of NBA botched call

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/sfl-miami-heat-chris-bosh-s120915-story.html

Gerald Green: More than a dunker

http://nbpa.com/gerald-green-more-than-a-dunker/

HORNETS:

Batum compiles a triple-double as Hornets beat Heat

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nba/charlotte-hornets/article48925315.html

Hornets emerging as surprise threat out East

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2597476-wednesday-nba-roundup-charlotte-hornets-emerging-as-surprise-threat-out-east

JAZZ:

For Trey Burke, the NBA game adds a level of comfort

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3289190-155/utah-jazz-for-trey-burke-the

Hayward, Favors help Jazz roll over Knicks

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3278197-155/utah-jazz-hayward-favors-help-jazz

Comic book fan Derrick Favors’ game beginning to leap off the page

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/comic-book-fan-derrick-favors–game-beginning-to-leap-off-page-192231951.html?nf=1

KINGS:

Belinelli’s motor is rubbing off on Kings

http://www.sacbee.com/sports/nba/sacramento-kings/article48928825.html

Look through fog and you can see Kings in playoffs

http://www.sacbee.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/andy-furillo/article48902915.html

Q&A with Omri Casspi

http://www.si.com/nba/2015/12/09/kings-omri-casspi-demarcus-cousins-rajon-rondo-george-karl-cavaliers-rockets

KNICKS:

Once booed Porzingis signs third marketing deal

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14332207/kristaps-porzingis-new-york-knicks-signs-third-marketing-deal

Reeling Knicks whacked by Jazz as GM watches ugly effort

http://nypost.com/2015/12/09/reeling-knicks-whacked-by-jazz-as-gm-watches-ugly-effort/

Carmelo Anthony says refusal to flop hurts him with refs

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/carmelo-anthony-refusal-flop-hurts-refs-article-1.2460517

Melo-Porzingis duo showing it can survive long term

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2597499-kristaps-porzingis-carmelo-anthony-duo-showing-signs-it-can-thrive-long-term

LAKERS:

Lakers lose in OT despite D’Angelo Russell’s career high

http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/lakersnow/la-sp-ln-lakers-overtime-loss-timberwolves-dangelo-russell-20151209-story.html

Russell, Randle making due in big boy’s league

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2597570-dangelo-russell-julius-randle-making-due-in-byron-scotts-big-boys-league

MAGIC:

Magic end road trip with 107-104 loss to the Suns

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/os-magic-suns-gamer-1210-20151209-story.html

Skiles’ decision to let his young guards run the offense paid off Tuesday

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/os-orlando-magic-news-1210-20151209-story.html

Wednesday’s Magic-Suns game served as a homecoming for Channing Frye

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/os-magic-aaron-gordon-channing-frye-1210-20151209-story.html

MAVERICKS:

Mavs continue to struggle at home as offense continues to falter in fourth quarter

http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-mavericks/mavericksheadlines/2015/12/09/sefko-mavs-continue-struggle-home-offense-falters-fourth-quarter-98-95-loss-hawks?f=r

Former Hawks first-rounder Jenkins gets second chance with Mavs

http://www.myajc.com/news/sports/basketball/former-hawks-first-rounder-jenkins-gets-second-cha/npf9z/?icmp=ajc_internallink_referralbox_free-to-premium-referral

Cuban likes Parsons in sixth man role

http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nba/dallas-mavericks/article48943815.html

NETS:

Hollis-Jefferson out 8-10 weeks after ankle surgery

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14328896/brooklyn-nets-rondae-hollis-jefferson-8-10-weeks-ankle-surgery

Lionel Hollins refuses to read the writing on the wall

http://nypost.com/2015/12/10/lionel-hollins-refuses-to-read-the-nets-writing-on-the-wall/

Lionel Hollins expects turnaround for Nets

http://www.newsday.com/sports/basketball/nets/lionel-hollins-expects-better-days-as-nets-ready-for-76ers-1.11210561

NUGGETS:

Many injured Nuggets players miss Tuesday’s practice

http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_29227928/time-move-sequel

Heaven help Emmanuel Mudiay, the NBA’s worst point guard

http://www.denverpost.com/kiszla/ci_29221774/mudiay-will-keep-faith

PACERS:

Solomon Hill ready in spite of trade rumors

http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nba/pacers/2015/12/09/pacers-solomon-hill-ready-spite-trade-rumors/77037696/

Pacers thriving despite roster changes

http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nba-am-pacers-thriving-despite-roster-changes/

PELICANS:

Anthony Davis, Ryan Anderson bring holiday cheer to 150 New Orleans kids

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

Perkins hoping to play Friday vs Wizards

http://www.nola.com/pelicans/index.ssf/2015/12/new_orleans_pelicans_kendrick_2.html#incart_river_index

Ryan Anderson unsure about his future with the Pelicans

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

PISTONS:

Now Pistons lose on a Hail Mary

http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2015/12/09/detroit-pistons-memphis-grizzlies/77047630/

The emergence of Reggie Jackson

http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nba-pm-the-emergence-of-reggie-jackson/

RAPTORS:

Raptors use 48-minute effort to surprise Spurs

http://www.thestar.com/sports/raptors/2015/12/09/raptors-pick-up-level-again-to-surprise-spurs.html

Scola gives Raptors a jumpstart vs Spurs

http://www.torontosun.com/2015/12/09/scola-gives-raptors-a-jumpstart-against-spurs

ROCKETS:

Rockets ride defense in win over Wizards

http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2015/12/rockets-ride-defense-in-win-over-wizards/

Randy Wittman knows how Rockets interim coach JB Bickerstaff feels

http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2015/12/wizards-coach-randy-wittman-knows-how-rockets-interim-coach-j-b-bickerstaff-feels/

Rockets recall McDaniels with Ariza sidelined

http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2015/12/rockets-recall-k-j-mcdaniels-with-trevor-ariza-sidelined/

SPURS:

Tim Duncan: a quiet and efficient legend

http://www.thestar.com/sports/basketball/2015/12/09/tim-duncan-a-quiet-and-efficient-legend-of-the-game.html

With Leonard in but ailing, Spurs can’t handle Raptors

http://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/With-Leonard-in-but-ailing-Spurs-can-t-handle-6688092.php

Turnovers hurt as Spurs fall to Raptors

http://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/video/article/Postgame-Wrap-Turnovers-hurt-as-Spurs-fall-to-6688131.php

SUNS:

Suns withstand 4^th-quarter rally, edge Magic

http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2015/12/10/suns-withstand-4th-quarter-rally-edge-magic/77061114/

Booker ready for more playing time

http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2015/12/09/phoenix-suns-rookie-devin-booker-ready-more-playing-time/77071276/

Tyson Chandler puts home on market for $9.995 million

http://www.latimes.com/business/realestate/hot-property/la-fi-hotprop-tyson-chandler-house-20151209-story.html

THUNDER:

Big or small, Thunder played beautiful ball in rout of Memphis

http://newsok.com/big-or-small-thunder-played-beautiful-ball-in-rout-of-memphis/article/5465810

Steven Adams playing well but struggling with his offensive touch

http://newsok.com/steven-adams-playing-well-but-still-struggling-with-his-offensive-touch/article/5465806

TIMBERWOLVES:

Timberwolves tip Lakers in OT as youth outshines Kobe

http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_29227557/timberwolves-tip-lakers-ot-youth-outshines-kobe

Should ROY candidate Towns be an All-Star too?

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2597294-karl-anthony-towns-is-tomorrows-nba-all-star-today

TRAIL BLAZERS:

Blazers remain upbeat amid losses

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2015/12/trail_blazers_links_2.html#incart_river_index

WARRIORS:

Klay Thompson hopes to play Friday, Warriors unsure

http://www.sfgate.com/warriors/article/Warriors-tell-Klay-To-play-or-not-to-play-6687954.php

Andre Iguodala is the forgotten man in the Warriors 23-0 start

http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2015/12/9/9878406/andre-iguodala-stats-highlights-warriors-undefeated

WIZARDS:

Wizards unexplained home woes have returned with a vengeance

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wizards-insider/wp/2015/12/10/wizards-unexplained-home-woes-have-returned-with-a-vengeance/

Wizards follow another big win with another baffling loss

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/wizards/wizards-follow-another-big-win-with-another-baffling-loss/2015/12/09/a3fbc1a0-9ec3-11e5-a3c5-c77f2cc5a43c_story.html

Marcin Gortat returns to still short-handed Wizards

http://nba.nbcsports.com/2015/12/09/marcin-gortat-returns-to-still-shorthanded-wizards/

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.