PHILOSOPHICAL QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing.”
-Dale Carnegie
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NBA:
Divide growing between West’s elite and middle classes
2016 NBA draft prospects: Star comparisons for top 20 players
NBA’s five most disappointing teams this season
Nearly half of all NBA players come from these 23 schools
http://uk.businessinsider.com/nba-rosters-by-school-2015-12?r=US&IR=T
Basketball Hall of Fame cuts wait for players from five years to four
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14367832/basketball-hall-fame-cuts-wait-retired-players-4-years
RAJON RONDO-REFEREE:
NBA referee Bill Kennedy reveals he is gay; Rajon Rondo made slur to him
Rondo, Kings’ brass issue statement regarding offensive slur
http://www.csnbayarea.com/kings/rondo-kings-brass-issue-statement-regarding-offensive-slur
Rondo says actions ‘do not reflect my feelings toward the LGBT community’
http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2015/12/14/10133704/rajon-rondo-slurs-bill-kennedy-statement-kings-nba
Rajon Rondo apologies were easy way out
http://www.sacbee.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/ailene-voisin/article49787010.html
Kings’ Rajon Rondo says anti-gay slur came from frustration
http://www.sacbee.com/sports/nba/sacramento-kings/kings-blog/article49715960.html
Cuban, Carlisle respect NBA referee for coming out as gay, Cuban adds it wasn’t secret
Popovich condemns Rondo’s use of anti-gay slur
Now is not the time to hide for Kings’ Rajon Rondo after alleged gay slurs
http://www.si.com/nba/2015/12/14/sacramento-kings-rajon-rondo-bill-kennedy
76ERS:
Bulls beat Sixers, spoil Chicago homecoming for some
Sixers follow great quarter with a disastrous one
Sixers’ Brett Brown wants Nik Stauskas to work on defense
Noel sits out; eye injury seen as minor
Okafor in elite company
http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/sports/sixers/Okafor-in-elite-company.html
A better idea of who can help team moving forward won’t happen until after Christmas
76ers rookie Jahlil Okafor adjusting to NBA life on and off the court
76ers confirms talks with D’Antoni
http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nba-am-76ers-confirm-talks-with-dantoni/
BUCKS:
Parker, Antetokounmpo could be all-stars, Lakers coach says
Fan to win ball used in Bucks’ win over the Warriors
BULLS:
Bulls finally put away an opponent in 2nd half, downing 76ers 115-96
Derrick Rose had zero points at halftime against the 76ers
http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/7/71/1180936/derrick-rose-zero-points-half-76ers
Playing through illness, Derrick Rose set a new career low Monday night
Tony Snell outscored the 76ers in the third quarter
http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/7/71/1180983/tony-snell-outscored-76ers-third-quarter
Bulls’ Jimmy Butler putting in extra work to bump up shooting percentage
CAVALIERS:
As Love returns to Boston, he reflects on the shoulder injury, free agency and Cleveland
http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2015/12/kevin_love_6.html – incart_social_feature
Why the Cavaliers stayed in Orlando for four days
Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith doesn’t plan on issuing apology to Celtics forward Jae Crowder
LeBron James’ 94-foot shot at Boston’s TD Garden most-viewed NBA Vine ever
CELTICS:
Tasty subplots on Celts-Cavs menu
http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/celtics/2015/12/bulpett_tasty_subplots_on_celts_cavs_menu
Celtics say they have moved on from playoff loss to Cavaliers
https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2015/12/15/celtics/Kw35jipeJ8qr7aogO3k1YN/story.html
Olynyk finding his groove shooting the ball
http://www.csnne.com/boston-celtics/olynyk-finding-his-groove-shooting-ball
Celtics ‘plan’ is working perfectly
http://www.csnne.com/boston-celtics/felger-celtics-plan-working-perfectly-0
Celtics’ Jae Crowder wants apology from Cavs’ J.R. Smith
CLIPPERS:
Clippers’ overtime victory over Pistons is convincing on multiple levels
http://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/la-sp-clippers-pistons-20151215-story.html
Clippers beat Pistons in ‘crazy’ finish
http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20151214/clippers-beat-pistons-in-crazy-finish
Clippers probably will keep Luc Mbah a Moute for the rest of the season
http://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/la-sp-clippers-report-20151215-story.html
GRIZZLIES:
Griz bounce back with 112-95 win over Wizards
Small ball leads to big victory for Griz
HAWKS:
Five observations from Hawks’ 100-88 loss to Heat
Heat-Hawks report card
http://www.myajc.com/news/sports/basketball/heat-hawks-report-card/npjzP/
Hawks return Bazemore to starting lineup
http://www.myajc.com/news/sports/basketball/hawks-return-bazemore-to-starting-lineup/npjsg/
HEAT:
Heat fights tooth and nail for 100-88 win against Hawks
http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/ethan-j-skolnick/article49755330.html
Did Monday’s victory offer Heat a blueprint?
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/sfl-askira-story.html
Hassan Whiteside explains mystery of ‘caged lion’
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/sfl-miami-heat-hassan-whiteside-s121415-story.html
HORNETS:
Hornets’ newfound 3-point prowess changing how teams guard them
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nba/charlotte-hornets/article49731645.html
Zeller trying to live up to college hype
http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nba-pm-zeller-trying-to-live-up-to-college-hype/
JAZZ:
Spurs blow out Jazz, 118-81
http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3308164-155/utah-jazz-spurs-blow-out-jazz
Jazz get pounded by a Spurs storm in 118-81 loss
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865643723/Spurs-clobber-Jazz-118-81-on-56-shooting.html
Raul Neto returns to the starting lineup
Utah trying to find remedy for slow starts
http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3308040-155/jazz-notes-utah-trying-to-find
KINGS:
NBA power rankings roundup: Kings’ stock rises across the board
http://www.sacbee.com/sports/nba/sacramento-kings/article49770830.html
KNICKS:
Jerian Grant OK after piecing together why he was benched
http://nypost.com/2015/12/14/jerian-grant-ok-after-piecing-together-why-he-was-benched/
Kristaps Porzingis insists ‘bad games’ don’t spell doom
http://nypost.com/2015/12/14/kristaps-porzingis-insists-bad-games-dont-spell-doom/
Knicks’ Kristaps Porzingis denies hitting NBA rookie wall after his subpar road trip
Just how high is Kristaps Porzingis’ ceiling?
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2599040-just-how-high-is-kristaps-porzingis-ceiling
Dave Checketts reflects on tenure with Knicks and spots similarities
LAKERS:
D’Angelo Russell will return to reserve role with Lakers despite his recent progress
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-sp-lakers-report-20151215-story.html
Mitch Kupchak: D’Angelo Russell will be a ‘very, very, very, very good player’
Lakers’ coach Byron Scott has development plan
http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20151214/la-lakers-coach-byron-scott-has-development-plan
Kobe chronicles: Shaquille O’Neal shares his thoughts on Kobe’s upcoming retirement
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/lakersnow/la-sp-ln-kobe-shaq-20151214-story.html
Enjoy vintage Kobe while you can
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2599141-enjoy-vintage-kobe-bryant-while-you-can
MAGIC:
Magic snap out of shooting slump, beat Nets 105-82
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/os-magic-nets-game-1215-20151214-story.html
Postgame report: Magic vs. Nets
http://www.nba.com/magic/news/postgame-report-magic-vs.-nets-12/14/15
Magic stick with same starting lineup — for now
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/os-orlando-magic-news-1215-20151214-story.html
Vucevic studying ways to draw more fouls
http://www.nba.com/magic/news/vucevic-studying-ways-draw-more-fouls
MAVERICKS:
Mavericks just ‘happy to stop the bleeding’ at home with win over Suns
Third-quarter run led by Dirk Nowitzki helps Mavs to 104-94 win over Suns
Parsons put on a show in win over Suns
http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nba/dallas-mavericks/article49804365.html
NETS:
Magic trounce the Nets
Nets fall without much of a fight against Orlando
Lionel Hollins wants Nets’ vets to lead by example
NUGGETS:
Will Barton leads Nuggets to season sweep of Rockets
http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_29253161/will-barton-leads-denver-nuggets-season-sweep-houston
Nuggets center Jusuf Nurkic could be cleared for contact by end of week
http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_29253154/nuggets-center-jusuf-nurkic-could-be-cleared-contact
PACERS:
Pacers stumble out of the gate, then blow by Raptors
Pacers George McGinnis on Hall: ‘I probably won’t get inducted’
PELICANS:
Pelicans drop yet another road game against Trail Blazers, 105-101
http://www.nola.com/pelicans/index.ssf/2015/12/new_orleans_pelicans_34.html – incart_river_index
Pelicans still struggling with ball movement in Alvin Gentry’s offensive system
Alvin Gentry pushing for improvement defensively on the road for Pelicans
Pelicans center Omer Asik has not met expectations
PISTONS:
Crawford’s OT triple clips Pistons, 105-103
Van Gundy on rookie Hilliard: He has ‘come a long way’
http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2015/12/14/detroit-pistons-darrun-hilliard/77326500/
Pistons’ Jackson opens up on Drummond relationship
http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2015/12/14/reggie-jackson-detroit-pistons/77307234/
Pistons’ Jennings focused on his comeback story
RAPTORS:
Raptors fail to keep pace in Indianapolis
http://www.thestar.com/sports/raptors/2015/12/14/raptors-fail-to-keep-pace-in-indianapolis.html
Raptors blow huge first-quarter lead, fall to Pacers
http://www.torontosun.com/2015/12/14/raptors-blow-huge-first-quarter-lead-fall-to-pacers
Pacers coach Frank Vogel praises Raptors’ Luis Scola
http://www.torontosun.com/2015/12/14/pacers-coach-frank-vogel-praises-raptors-luis-scola
Raptors’ forward DeMar DeRozan earns top weekly conference player honours
ROCKETS:
Nuggets complete season sweep of Rockets
http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2015/12/nuggets-complete-season-sweep-of-rockets/
Dwight Howard ready to increase back-to-back workload for Rockets
Yao Ming eligible for Hall of Fame a year earlier than expected
Bickerstaff vs. Malone: A second-generation meeting and NBA first
SPURS:
Spurs run circles around tapped out Jazz
http://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/Spurs-rout-Jazz-6698634.php
Spurs’ Marjanovic more than a mascot
http://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/Spurs-Marjanovic-more-than-a-mascot-6694910.php
Spurs might finally be gelling
http://espn.go.com/blog/San-Antonio-Spurs/post/_/id/232/spurs-might-finally-be-gelling
Kawhi Leonard was already great on defense. Now he’s elite on offense, too
Gregg Popovich passes Rick Adelman on NBA’s all-time wins list
SUNS:
Mavericks pull away from Suns again
Alex Len stays starter after strong stretch
Nash’s Hall of Fame eligibility moves up
THUNDER:
Kyle Singler trying to recover from mid-career slump
Russell Westbrook makes largest contribution in UCLA hoops history
http://newsok.com/russell-westbrook-makes-largest-contribution-in-ucla-hoops-history/article/5466785
TIMBERWOLVES:
Is Andrew Wiggins a future NBA MVP or the next Carmelo Anthony?
TRAIL BLAZERS:
Trail Blazers 105, New Orleans 101
WARRIORS:
Homestand lets Warriors rest and iron out rough spots
Corrections, Dec. 15
http://www.sfchronicle.com/warriors/article/Corrections-Dec-15-6698111.php
Warriors’ Barnes out at least two more games
http://www.sfchronicle.com/warriors/article/Warriors-Barnes-out-at-least-two-more-games-6697885.php
Where would Warriors be without Steph Curry?
Kerr’s return date to Warriors’ sidelines remains mystery
http://www.csnbayarea.com/warriors/kerrs-return-date-warriors-sidelines-remains-mystery
WIZARDS:
John Wall finally stumbles in December and the Wizards stumble with him against Grizzlies
Wizards struggle to contain Grizzlies as Memphis shuts down John Wall
Wizards’ Bradley Beal out at least two weeks with stress reaction
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.