NBA Daily Links: 12.20.15

December 20, 2015 by Pete Newmann

PHILOSOPHICAL QUOTE OF THE DAY:

“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.”

-Helen Keller

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NBA:

NBA commissioner Adam Silver is off to a good start, but his work has just begun

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/sports/wp/2015/12/19/nba-commissioner-adam-silver-is-off-to-a-good-start-but-his-work-has-just-begun/

NBA’s top mentor-protégé duos

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2015/12/19/nba-mentor-protege-duo-carmelo-anthony-kristaps-porzingis-kevin-garnett-karl-anthony-towns/77474736/

East headed in right direction

http://www.denverpost.com/dempsey/ci_29283589/east-headed-right-direction

NBA’s stacked PF position looks brighter than ever

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2599227-the-future-of-the-nbas-stacked-power-forward-position-looks-brighter-than-ever

Jeff Van Gundy rants about intentional fouling farce, and he’s right

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/25419677/jeff-van-gundy-rants-about-intentional-fouling-farce-and-hes-right

John Calipari and Brett Yormark: A friendship that extends beyond the court

http://espn.go.com/blog/brooklyn-nets/post/_/id/23309/john-calipari-and-brett-yormark-a-friendship-that-extends-beyond-the-court

Forty years after folding, memories flood back for Utah Stars

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3322658-155/forty-years-after-folding-memories-flood

76ERS:

Why is Mike D’Antoni with the Sixers?

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/20151220_Inside_the_76ers__Why_is_Mike_D_Antoni_with_the_Sixers_.html

Sixers partners invest in Crystal Palace

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/20151219_Sixers_partners_invest_in_Crystal_Palace.html

BUCKS:

Antetokounmpo displays versatility in multiple roles for Bucks

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/bucks/antetokounmpo-displays-versatility-in-multiple-roles-for-bucks-b99636354z1-363052751.html

Jabari Parker rounding into pre-injury form

http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nba-saturday-jabari-parker-rounding-into-pre-injury-form/

Mayo says Warriors’ Green disrespected MCW

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/363017951.html

BULLS:

After blowout, Jimmy Butler says Fred Hoiberg must coach ‘a lot harder’

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/ct-butler-criticizes-coach-bulls-lose-report-spt-1220-20151219-story.html

Butler pulls no punches, calling out Hoiberg for being too ‘laid back’

http://chicago.suntimes.com/basketball/7/71/1194456/jimmy-butler-pulls-punches-calling-coach-fred-hoiberg-laid-back

Joakim Noah starts for resting Pau Gasol and scores 21 in losing effort

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/ct-pau-gasol-rest-bits-bulls-knicks-spt-1220-20151219-story.html

Pau Gasol given game off and more to come this season

http://chicago.suntimes.com/basketball/7/71/1194326/pau-gasol-given-game-new-york-come-season

CAVALIERS:

Kyrie Irving making debut against 76ers on Sunday

http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2015/12/cleveland_cavaliers_guard_kyri_13.html#incart_social_feature

Irving cements Cavs title chances

http://www.si.com/nba/2015/12/19/kyrie-irving-lebron-james-kevin-love-cavaliers-im-back

Williams out, Shumpert questionable for Sunday’s game

http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2015/12/mo_williams_out_iman_shumpert.html#incart_river_index

Blatt vents about lack of calls for LeBron: He’s not easy to officiate

http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2015/12/david_blatt_takes_veiled_shot.html#incart_river_index

JR Smith bought mom a house for Christmas

http://www.tmz.com/2015/12/17/j-r-smith-mom-christmas-gifts/

CELTICS:

Green off their game during recent skid

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

Celtics considering changes to break out of slump

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2015/12/20/celtics-considering-changes-break-out-slump/e2hfjE8H7g2jlC9GjMjRSL/story.html

Changes on the way?

http://www.csnne.com/boston-celtics/celtics-lineup-changes-brad-stevens-says-we-might-have-to

Celtics are on the rise. The problem? So is the East

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/20/sports/basketball/celtics-are-on-the-rise-but-not-in-the-standings.html?ref=basketball&_r=0&mtrref=www.nytimes.com&gwh=32D3B6E53ABF78F387C10EC3761101A5&gwt=pay

CLIPPERS:

Clippers uninspired play ends with another loss to the Rockets

http://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/la-sp-clippers-rockets-20151220-story.html

Blake Griffin likes his three-point shooting to come naturally

http://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/la-sp-clippers-report-20151220-story.html

GRIZZLIES:

Griz shut down Pacers to earn 96-84 victory

http://www.commercialappeal.com/sports/grizzlies/griz-27496bb0-4314-2156-e053-0100007f99ad-363051921.html

HAWKS:

Teague will not go on Hawks injury list after turning ankle

http://www.myajc.com/news/sports/basketball/teague-will-not-go-on-hawks-injury-list-after-inju/npnqp/?icmp=ajc_internallink_referralbox_free-to-premium-referral

Splitter still learning subtleties of Hawks’ system

http://www.myajc.com/news/sports/basketball/splitter-still-learning-subtleties-of-hawks-system/npnkn/?icmp=ajc_internallink_referralbox_free-to-premium-referral

HEAT:

Chris Bosh on the state of the Heat: We’re still not consistent

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/sfl-miami-heat-chris-bosh-s121915-story.html

Both teams hacked off? Possibility looms Tuesday

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/sfl-ira-nba-column-s122015-column.html

HORNETS:

Hornets road to failure starts by throwing the ball away

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nba/charlotte-hornets/article50728485.html

JAZZ:

Quin Snyder determined not to dwell on negatives of losing streak

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865644087/Utah-Jazz-notebook-Quin-Snyder-determined-not-to-dwell-on-negatives-of-losing-streak.html

KINGS:

George Karl says team needs more professionalism, effort

http://www.sacbee.com/sports/nba/sacramento-kings/kings-blog/article50733240.html

Kings lose golden opportunity after sluggish start

http://www.csnbayarea.com/kings/rewind-kings-lose-golden-opportunity-after-sluggish-start

KNICKS:

Knicks’ Christmas gift comes early, speed past sleepy Bulls

http://nypost.com/2015/12/19/knicks-christmas-gift-comes-early-speed-past-sleepy-bulls/

Porzingis shudders at thought off being on Sixers

http://nypost.com/2015/12/18/kristaps-porzingis-shudders-at-thought-of-being-on-sixers/

LAKERS:

Durant: Kobe’s 20-year career with Lakers ‘epic’

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14400898/oklahoma-city-thunder-kevin-durant-considers-career-los-angeles-lakers-kobe-bryant-epic

Kobe sits out and Lakers are just totally out of it in loss to Thunder

http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-sp-lakers-thunder-20151220-story.html

No surprise, but Lakers rookie Anthony Brown can’t stop Kevin Durant

http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-sp-lakers-report-20151220-story.html

Examining Kobe’s No. 8 vs No. 24 jersey

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/25419676/examining-the-lakers-dilemma-retire-kobe-bryants-no-8-or-no-24-jersey

Can Lakers’ young core entice Kevin Durant this offseason?

http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20151218/can-la-lakers-young-core-entice-kevin-durant-this-offseason

MAGIC:

Oladipo is playing at an NBA All-Defensive first team level, Skiles says

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/os-victor-oladipo-orlando-magic-defense-1220-20151219-story.html

Elfrid Payton is likely to play against the Hawks, despite a sore ankle

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/os-orlando-magic-news-1220-20151219-story.html

Harris bringing great energy and positive attitude

http://www.nba.com/magic/news/harris-bringing-great-energy-and-positive-attitude-every-game

MAVERICKS:

Chandler Parsons’ job? Return soon as a starter and build on his big night in Memphis

http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-mavericks/mavericks/2015/12/19/chandler-parsons-job-return-soon-starter-build-big-night-memphis?f=r

Devin Harris on return from hamstring injury: We don’t know right now

http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-mavericks/mavericks/2015/12/18/mavs-guard-devin-harris-return-hamstring-injury-know-right-now

JaVale McGee emerges as a two-way threat for the Mavericks

http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nba/dallas-mavericks/article50693055.html

NETS:

Nets have nothing but good things to say about Kevin Garnett

http://nypost.com/2015/12/19/nets-have-nothing-but-good-things-to-say-about-kevin-garnett/

Nets look forward to talk with Garnett

http://www.newsday.com/sports/basketball/nets/nets-look-forward-to-talk-with-kevin-garnett-1.11246913

NUGGETS:

Lauvergne clearly back in business

http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_29284236/lauvergne-clearly-back-business

PACERS:

Paul George fined $35K for criticizing officlals, profanity

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14400507/paul-george-indiana-pacers-fined-35000-criticizing-officials-profanity-live-television

No help for George on offense, Pacers fall in Memphis

http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nba/pacers/2015/12/19/no-help-george-offense-pacers-fall-memphis/77304062/

PELICANS:

Pelicans problems, lackluster effort can no longer be ignored

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

PISTONS:

Pistons have a strong motor in former BC guard Reggie Jackson

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2015/12/18/pistons-have-strong-motor-reggie-jackson/icZG5iOsWVkAwB0LbwQt0K/story.html

Playoff talk legit after Pistons win 4OT epic

http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2015/12/19/vince-ellis-pistons-playoffs/77627386/

Gores’ push for Grand Rapids team benefits Pistons

http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2015/12/19/pistons-grand-rapids-franchise/77644486/

RAPTORS:

Never satisfied: The DeMar DeRozan story

http://www.torontosun.com/2015/12/19/never-satisfied-derozan-has-come-a-long-way

ROCKETS:

Rockets get back to .500 with win over Clippers

http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2015/12/rockets-get-back-to-500-with-win-over-clippers/

JB Bickerstaff won’t shy away intentionally fouling to gain advantage

http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2015/12/j-b-bickerstaff-wont-shy-away-intentionally-fouling-to-gain-advantage/

Marcus Thornton returns to rotation in wake of Ty Lawson suspension

http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2015/12/marcus-thornton-returns-to-rotation-in-wake-of-ty-lawsons-suspension/

Ty Lawson apologizes for actions that led to suspension

http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2015/12/ty-lawson-apologizes-for-actions-that-led-to-suspension/

SPURS:

Tim Duncan and girlfriend Vanessa Macias are searching for their lost dog

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/article/Tim-Duncan-s-girlfriend-Vanessa-Macias-is-6707377.php

SUNS:

Suns thrive with Tyson Chandler, Alex Len teaming at center more

http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2015/12/19/suns-thrive-tyson-chandler-alex-len-teaming-center-more/77646704/

Trading Markieff Morris

http://www.basketballinsiders.com/trading-markieff-morris/

THUNDER:

One sequence embodies how the Thunder want to play

http://espn.go.com/blog/okc-thunder/post/_/id/948/how-it-happened-one-sequence-embodies-how-the-thunder-want-to-play

Kevin Durant torches Lakers en route to easy Thunder blowout

http://newsok.com/kevin-durant-torches-lakers-en-route-to-easy-thunder-blowout/article/5467919

Durant says a title makes it easy to ride out with team

http://newsok.com/okc-thunder-durant-says-a-title-makes-it-easier-to-ride-it-out-with-team/article/5467918?articleBar=1

OKC fans miss out on chance to see Kobe Bryant

http://newsok.com/okc-fans-miss-out-on-chance-to-see-kobe-bryant/article/5467911

TIMBERWOLVES:

There’s a light at the end of the Timberwolves tunnel

http://www.thestar.com/sports/basketball/2015/12/19/theres-a-light-at-the-end-of-timberwolves-tunnel.html

TRAIL BLAZERS:

Turnovers have been problem for Blazers in defeats

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

WARRIORS:

Harrison Barnes finds way to give back to youth

http://www.sfgate.com/warriors/article/Harrison-Barnes-finds-ways-to-give-back-to-youth-6710773.php

Steve Kerr knows how to motivate his players

http://www.sfgate.com/warriors/article/Warriors-coach-Steve-Kerr-knows-how-to-motivate-6709037.php

How many All-Stars should Warriors have?

http://nba.nbcsports.com/2015/12/18/how-many-all-stars-should-warriors-have-curry-says-why-not-five/

Klay Thompson makes a good case for himself as the NBA’s best shooting guard

http://www.mercurynews.com/warriors/ci_29284208/klay-thompson-makes-good-case-himself-best-nba

WIZARDS:

Kelly Oubre learns on the fly in first career start

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wizards-insider/wp/2015/12/19/kelly-oubre-jr-learns-on-the-fly-in-first-career-start/

Wizards bend but don’t break, hold off Hornets

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/wizards/wizards-bend-but-dont-break-hold-off-hornets-as-john-wall-scores-27/2015/12/19/bbf5904e-a5c4-11e5-9c4e-be37f66848bb_story.html

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.