PHILOSOPHICAL QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
NBA:
The prosecution of Thabo Sefolosha
Transition Game by Shane Battier
http://themeasure.trumaker.com/2015/12/15/transition-game/
Shaq sells rights to future business endeavors
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14389093/shaquille-oneal-sells-rights-future-business-endeavors
Sacramento days case enough for Webber to be in HOF
Carlos Boozer meets with Bucks about a possible deal
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/sources–carlos-boozer-meets-204345969.html
Kendall Gill grateful for second chance with CSN for Bulls analysis
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/ct-bulls-kendall-gill-20151217-story.html
Steve Francis says he is not on drugs
http://www.chron.com/sports/rockets/article/Steve-Francis-says-he-is-not-on-drugs-6702163.php
How did basketball end up with four versions (and counting) of one stat?
Teen accusing JR Smith of choking him has met with prosecutor
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/smith-alleged-choking-victim-met-prosecutor-article-1.2469382
Jason Day’s wife accidentally injured by LeBron James
Kansas professor finds rare audio of basketball inventor James Naismith
New NBA flagship store set to open in NYC
http://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2015/12/17/nba-set-to-open-new-flagship-store-in-nyc/
D-LEAGUE:
D-League coach Scott Morrison could have quick rise to NBA
76ERS:
Mike D’Antoni joins 76ers as associate head coach
Lowly team turns to different 76er (he’s going on 77)
Nerlens Noel to return Friday
BUCKS:
Bucks brace for angry Warriors out to avenge only loss
Kidd scolds Bucks players about strip club visit
BULLS:
One year after knee surgery, Doug McDermott closing games for Bulls
Derrick Rose is back in the wave game
http://chicago.suntimes.com/basketball/7/71/1188634/derrick-rose-back-wave-game
Rotation changes could help Chicago
http://www.si.com/nba/2015/12/17/fundamentals-bulls-fred-hoiberg-jimmy-butler-derrick-rose-pau-gasol
Bulls need to find energy before clock runs out
CAVALIERS:
How Cavs all-in plan for LeBron shaped OKC’s plan for Durant
Shumpert assists in childbirth
Iman Shumpert delivered baby with help from headphones
http://nypost.com/2015/12/17/iman-shumpert-i-delivered-fiances-baby-with-help-from-headphones/
LeBron wills undermanned Cavs to 104-100 win over Thunder
Cavaliers plod their way back to NBA Finals, right on schedule
Everyone in the East is chasing LeBron and the Cavs
http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2015/12/17/10404688/cavaliers-east-standings-lebron-james-kevin-love
CELTICS:
Stellar Zeller not enough to boost tired Celtics
Jerebko hopes shooting struggles are over
http://www.csnne.com/boston-celtics/jonas-jerebko-hopes-shooting-struggles-are-over
At the top of Danny Ainge’s list? A go-to scorer
Marcus Smart resumes basketball activities
http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/celtics/post/_/id/4721391/ainge-smart-resumes-basketball-activities
CLIPPERS:
Blake Griffin says it’s not always fair how referees handle spats with Clippers
http://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/la-sp-clippers-report-20151218-story.html
Tony Parker feels bad Chris Paul didn’t reach conference finals
Spurs are playing better than the Warriors, says Doc Rivers
GRIZZLIES:
Conley, Gasol consistent amid changes for Grizzlies
Defense a letdown against Bulls; Randolph sits again at the end
http://www.commercialappeal.com/sports/grizzlies/Defense-a-letdown-in-loss-to-Bulls-362798911.html
Exit of grit-grind in Memphis?
HAWKS:
This time, the Hawks turned to hard practice to get back on track
Hawks assign Tavares to another D-League stint
HEAT:
Pat Riley likes Heat’s direction, calls Hassan Whiteside rumors BS
http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nba/miami-heat/article50336770.html
Luol Deng at power forward help Heat combat small-ball
http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/ethan-j-skolnick/article50390180.html
How much is Hassan Whiteside really worth?
Green, Winslow provide fire and ice off bench
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/sfl-miami-heat-justise-winslow-s121715-story.html
Whiteside responds to rumors
http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nba-pm-whiteside-responds-to-trade-rumors/
HORNETS:
Jeremy Lin and Kemba Walker: As good as it gets Thursday
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nba/charlotte-hornets/article50407745.html
Hornets escape Raptors in OT on guard play
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nba/charlotte-hornets/article50394880.html
JAZZ:
Neto’s role fluctuating as season progresses
http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3321976-155/utah-jazz-notes-netos-role-fluctuating
Jeff Withey providing insurance with Gobert shelved
http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3321923-155/utah-jazz-jeff-withey-providing-insurance
Jazz feel lucky to have center Withey during recent stretch of misfortune
KINGS:
Rajon Rondo’s return tips off peek into Kings future
http://www.sacbee.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/ailene-voisin/article50396020.html
Kings: Golden 1 Center will be most connected arena in the world
http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/news-columns-blogs/city-beat/article50293255.html
Cousins surprises family with a new car
http://www.csnbayarea.com/kings/santa-cuz-strikes-again-cousins-surprises-family-new-car
Cousins surprises 100 Mobile kids with Christmas shopping spree
http://www.al.com/news/mobile/index.ssf/2015/12/nba_star_demarcus_cousins_surp.html
KNICKS:
Arron Afflalo’s eruption reveals Phil Jackson’s plan at work
http://nypost.com/2015/12/17/arron-afflalos-eruption-reveals-phil-jacksons-plan-at-work/
Knicks have at least 76 reasons to try hard vs Philly
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/knicks-76-reasons-hard-philly-article-1.2469766
Kristaps Porzingis is a freak – and potentially a superstar
http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/kristaps-porzingis-is-a-freak-and-potentially-a-superstar/
LAKERS:
Chocolate milk: It does a (Laker’s) body good
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14332944/los-angeles-lakers-turn-chocolate-milk-recovery
Comparing Kobe’s swan song to MJ’s final season
Lakers fall to Rockets despite another strong outing by Kobe Bryant
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/final-696606-lakers-ocregister.html
MAGIC:
Magic coaches remind their players of defense’s importance
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/os-orlando-magic-news-1218-20151217-story.html
Magic now a much tougher and more resilient team
http://www.nba.com/magic/news/magic-now-much-tougher-and-resilient-team
MAVERICKS:
Now is the time for the Mavs to realize they’re in danger of becoming irrelevant in West
Carlisle shoulders blame for Mavericks’ woes
http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nba/dallas-mavericks/article50392415.html
NETS:
Jack upbeat that Nets can turn it around
Injuries add up to golden chance for NBA journeyman
http://nypost.com/2015/12/17/nets-injuries-add-up-to-golden-chance-for-nba-journeyman/
NUGGETS:
Nuggets suddenly on a hot streak with revved-up offense, sharp shooting
http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_29270975/nuggets-hot-streak-sharp-shooting
PELICANS:
Anthony Davis hoping rare road victory is a turning point
PISTONS:
Jennings to play in D-League on Saturday
Don’t expect a trade to fix bench
Jackson thriving in star role for Detroit
RAPTORS:
Raptors shoot blanks in loss to Hornets
http://www.thestar.com/sports/raptors/2015/12/17/raptors-shoot-blanks-in-loss-to-hornets.html
East a new beast for Raptors
http://www.torontosun.com/2015/12/17/east-a-new-beast-for-raptors
Lowry transformation has him playing at MVP level
ROCKETS:
Dwight Howard recalls being dunked on by Kobe Bryant
http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2015/12/dwight-howard-recalls-being-dunked-on-by-kobe-bryant/
Trevor Ariza recalls meeting Kobe Bryant as a kid
http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2015/12/trevor-ariza-recalls-meeting-kobe-bryant-as-a-kid/
The problem with Dwight Howard
http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nba-am-the-problem-with-dwight-howard/
Lakers resort to hacking Dwight Howard as Rockets roll in LA
SPURS:
Revitalized Spurs poised for rematch with Clippers
Ginobili, Olympic coach not on same page
Marjanovic continues to flash potential with big December
http://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/Boban-Marjanovic-has-been-the-NBA-s-most-6705578.php
SUNS:
Suns seeking better defensive effort, execution
http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2015/12/17/suns-hornacek-chandler/77507372/
THUNDER:
Billy Donovan remembers recruiting a young LeBron James
As spotlight dims, KD and Russ shine brightest
Durant up there with the greatest ever, says LeBron
Thunder fall flat in fourth against Cavs
http://espn.go.com/blog/okc-thunder/post/_/id/936/thunder-fall-flat-in-the-fourth-against-the-cavs
TIMBERWOLVES:
Towns looking forward to facing Porzingis for the next 20 years
Wolves put Kevin Martin on the trade block
TRAIL BLAZERS:
Moe Harkless: It’s just good to be back here
Harkless eager to face former team
Meyers Leonard pledges to fight through slump amid heightened expectations
http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2015/12/meyers_leonard_1.html#incart_river_index
WARRIORS:
Barkley: Bulls 72-win team would kill Warriors
Warriors put Bucks on alert WWE-style
Warriors psyched for a Bucks rematch
http://www.sfgate.com/warriors/article/Warriors-psyched-for-a-Bucks-rematch-6706166.php
Curry signs endorsement deal with Brita
Packers Aaron Rodgers loves watching Curry
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/362873371.html
Nash grows Thompson’s confidence
http://www.sfgate.com/warriors/article/Warriors-Nash-grows-Thompson-s-confidence-6705714.php
Walton is Warriors unlikely leader
http://www.si.com/nba/2015/12/17/golden-state-warriors-stephen-curry-luke-walton-steve-kerr
Steve Kerr hopes to return in 2-3 weeks
http://nba.nbcsports.com/2015/12/17/warriors-coach-steve-kerr-feels-better-hopes-to-return-soon/
WIZARDS:
In quest for offense, Wizards have lost defensive identity
Wizards are wasting their season and ruining their future
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.