NBA Daily Links: 12.22.15

PHILOSOPHICAL QUOTE OF THE DAY:

“Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.”

-Dale Carnegie

================================

NBA:

Adam Silver still firm on daily fantasy, sports betting

http://espn.go.com/chalk/story/_/id/14417203/chalk-adam-silver-remains-firm-latest-comments-daily-fantasy-sports-betting

 

What’s wrong with the NBA’s TV ratings?

http://www.wsj.com/articles/whats-wrong-with-the-nbas-tv-ratings-1450744363

 

Assessing the league-wide need to make trades

http://www.nba.com/2015/news/features/david_aldridge/12/21/morning-tip-potential-trades-nba-labor-peace-qa-cj-mccollum/index.html?cid=nbacomsocial_tw_sf17487622&cid=nbatvsocial_fb_sf17488153

 

Positions still matter

http://www.sportingnews.com/list/4688715-position-matters-chris-bosh-kelly-olynyk-zach-lavine-nerlens-noel-cj-mccollum-jeremy-lin

 

Measuring skill vs luck in NBA defense

http://nyloncalculus.com/2015/12/21/measuring-skill-vs-luck-in-nba-defense/

 

Ranking every potential NBA coaching vacancy

http://www.sbnation.com/2015/12/21/10566432/nba-head-coach-fired-rockets-nets

 

Fanatics, NBA open new 25K square-foot store on Fifth Avenue

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14414753/nba-opens-new-25000-square-foot-store-manhattan

 

NBA Power Rankings: Steady at the top

http://espn.go.com/nba/powerrankings/_/year/2016/week/8

 

Power Rankings: Spurs taking care of business

http://www.nba.com/powerrankings/

 

Sacramento jury convicts man of killing aunt of Matt Barnes

http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/crime/article50924805.html

 

Jungle Jim Loscutoff played a fierce game, talked a fun one

http://www.sacbee.com/sports/high-school/joe-davidson/article51009370.html

Rasheed Wallace provides soundtrack to UNC’s blowout of Appalachian State

http://www.fayobserver.com/blogs/sports/acc_basketball/former-nba-star-rasheed-wallace-provides-soundtrack-to-tar-heels/article_c4447358-a85f-11e5-8c94-3f828bfddf50.html

 

Gilbert Arenas spoke the not-so-pretty truth

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/os-gilbert-arenas-women-david-whitley-1222-20151221-column.html

 

HALL OF FAME:

Allen Iverson, Shaquille O’Neal among first-year nominees for Basketball Hall

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14414024/allen-iverson-tom-izzo-yao-ming-shaquille-oneal-sheryl-swoopes-first-year-basketball-hall-fame-nominees

 

Yao Ming nominated for direct election into basketball HOF by international committee

http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2015/12/yao-ming-nominated-for-direct-election-into-basketball-hof-by-international-committee/

 

76ERS:

Adam Silver is not a fan of the Sixers strategy

http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/adam-silver-is-not-a-fan-of-the-sixers-strategy/

 

Brown embraces player progress

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/20151222_Sixers__Brett_Brown_embraces_player_development_over_winning.html

 

Brown: Embiid is committed now

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/20151222_Brett_Brown__Joel_Embiid_is__committed__now.html

 

BUCKS:

Prunty will be interim Bucks coach during Kidd’s absence

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/bucks/prunty-will-be-interim-bucks-coach-during-kidds-absence-b99638171z1-363208251.html

 

Jason Kidd undergoes hip arthoplasty

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/363206971.html

 

BULLS:

Butler doesn’t regret criticism of Hoiberg

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14415381/jimmy-butler-chicago-bulls-regret-criticism-fred-hoiberg

 

Butler isn’t backing down from his self-proclaimed leadership role

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/ct-jimmy-butler-fred-hoiberg-20151221-story.html

 

Noah leaves vs Nets with shoulder injury

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14418778/joakim-noah-chicago-bulls-shoulder-injury-brooklyn-nets

 

Mike Dunleavy wore his ugly Christmas sweater to the Bulls game

http://national.suntimes.com/national-sports/7/72/2324863/mike-dunleavy-ugly-christmas-sweater

 

Noah says Fred Hoiberg is complete opposite of Tom Thibodeau

http://national.suntimes.com/national-sports/7/72/2321924/joakim-noah-says-fred-hoiberg-complete-opposite-tom-thibodeau/

 

Louder voices, same result

http://www.csnchicago.com/bulls/bulls-drop-third-straight-lethargic-loss-hapless-nets

 

CAVALIERS:

Cavaliers ’24-hour Delly’ – guard Matthew Dellavedova – is always open for business

http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2015/12/the_cleveland_cavaliers_24-hou.html#incart_social_feature

 

With Kyrie back, can LeBron keep his promise to Kevin Love?

http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2015/12/lebron_james_kyrie_irving_kevi_4.html#incart_river_index

 

CELTICS:

KG remains a mentor in hearts, minds of Green

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

 

Celtics show off depth to get back on track

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/basketball/2015/12/22/celtics-show-off-depth-get-back-track/mCXKHDEdE1B7jwfpBEmuEM/story.html

 

Celtics out a starting frontcourt

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/basketball/2015/12/22/notebook-celtics-out-starting-frontcourt/YvrvbVU1oB7K5rZGu8RFcI/story.html

 

CLIPPERS:

Clippers lose third in a row, falling to OKC 100-99

http://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/clippersnow/la-sp-cn-clippers-oklahoma-city-thunder-20151221-story.html

 

GRIZZLIES:

Schedule eases, finally, for Grizzlies

http://www.commercialappeal.com/sports/grizzlies/with-lighter-schedule-ahead-time-for-grizzlies-to-get-going-275d2a41-3297-671c-e053-0100007f6850-363181811.html

 

Early read on small ball, Grit-and-Grind’s back pages and more

http://www.commercialappeal.com/sports/grizzlies/pick-and-pop/Pick-and-Pop-Early-read-on-small-ball-Grit-and-Grinds-back-pages-and-more-363133701.html

 

HAWKS:

Bazemore having career year

http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nba-pm-bazemore-playing-best-basketball-of-career/

 

Schroder, Hawks beat short-handed Blazers

http://koin.com/2015/12/21/schroder-hawks-beat-short-handed-trail-blazers/

 

HEAT:

Gerald Green warming up to defense

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nba/miami-heat/article51000825.html

 

Threes with ease the latest successful trend with Heat

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/sfl-miami-heat-three-pointers-s122115-story.html

 

Anger management: Dragic back to playful self after ejection

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/sfl-miami-heat-goran-dragic-s122115-story.html

 

HORNETS:

Al Jefferson’s return will be a welcome sight

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nba/charlotte-hornets/article51024335.html

 

James Harden’s free throws sink Hornets in Houston

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nba/charlotte-hornets/article51015170.html

 

JB Bickerstaff is a big fan of Jeremy Lin

http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2015/12/rockets-interim-coach-j-b-bickerstaff-is-a-big-fan-of-jeremy-lin/

 

Lamb makes big leap

http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nba-am-lamb-makes-the-leap-in-charlotte/

 

JAZZ:

Jazz beat the Suns 110-89

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3336746-155/nba-utah-jazz-beat-phoenix-suns

 

Playing against familiar faces not fun for Favors

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865644214/Jazz-notes-Playing-against-familiar-faces-not-fun-for-Favors.html

 

KINGS:

Cousins bothered by Gortat’s big game as Kings fall to Wizards

http://www.sacbee.com/sports/nba/sacramento-kings/kings-blog/article51025090.html

 

Karl is content with perimeter players, so Seth Curry waits

http://www.sacbee.com/sports/nba/sacramento-kings/kings-blog/article51012955.html

 

KNICKS:

Fisher curiously shuns Porzingis as Knicks defense gets abused

http://nypost.com/2015/12/21/fisher-mostly-shuns-porzingis-late-as-knicks-defense-fails/

 

Admitting his glaring weakness will only help Porzingis

http://nypost.com/2015/12/21/admitting-his-glaring-weakness-will-only-help-kristaps-porzingis/

 

Porzingis is mastering his X’s, O’s and Z’s

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/22/sports/basketball/kristaps-porzingis-is-mastering-his-xs-os-and-zs.html?ref=basketball&_r=0&mtrref=www.nytimes.com&gwh=E920C7FBA645B0E6251BD573E24C4F46&gwt=pay

 

Rookie Diary: Kristaps Porzingis

http://allball.blogs.nba.com/2015/12/21/rookie-diary-volume-1-kristaps-porzingis/?ls=iref:nbahpt6e

 

Carmelo Anthony’s ankle threatens LeBron showdown

http://nypost.com/2015/12/22/carmelo-anthonys-ankle-threatens-lebron-showdown/

 

Pat Riley’s biggest basketball regret involves Patrick Ewing

http://nypost.com/2015/12/21/pat-rileys-biggest-basketball-regret-involves-patrick-ewing/

 

LAKERS:

Kobe Bryant names the top 5 players and teams he has ever faced

http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/lakersnow/la-sp-ln-top-five-players-kobe-bryant-opponents-20151221-story.html

 

Big loss leaves even Magic Johnson almost tweetless

http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-sp-lakers-report-20151222-story.html

 

Kenneth Faried on Kobe: He’s a legend of my time

http://blogs.denverpost.com/nuggets/2015/12/21/kenneth-faried-kobe-bryant/13593/

 

MAGIC:

Magic overcome Payton’s absence due to injury, beat Knicks

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/os-magic-knicks-1222-20151221-story.html

 

Magic’s Jason Smith returns to MSG

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/os-orlando-magic-news-1222-20151221-story.html#nt=outfit

 

Magic donate $1.5M to UCF for downtown Orlando campus

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/education/school-zone/os-ucf-downtown-money-dec21-post.html

 

MAVERICKS:

As Nowitzki climbs all-time scoring list, how does he compare to other DF-W athletes?

http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-mavericks/mavericks/2015/12/21/sefko-dirk-nowitzki-climbs-time-scoring-list-compare-df-w-athletes-accomplishments?f=r

 

Nowitzki on verge of passing Shaq on all-time scoring list

http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nba/dallas-mavericks/article50994270.html

 

Is the Mavs 3-point shooting finally coming around?

http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-mavericks/mavericks/2015/12/21/mavericks-3-point-shooting-finally-coming-around?f=r

 

Why the Mavs appeal to superstar free agents hinges on Parsons, Matthews

http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-mavericks/mavericks/2015/12/21/sefko-mavs-appeal-superstar-free-agents-hinges-chandler-parsons-wes-matthews?f=r

 

Deron Williams on his time with the Nets: Made me question if I even wanted to play

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/deron-williams-on-his-time-with-the-nets—made-me-question-if-i-even-wanted-to-play-basketball-161703309.html

 

NETS:

Nets roar back to stun the Bulls in a complete 180

http://nypost.com/2015/12/21/nets-roar-back-to-stun-the-bulls-in-complete-180/

 

Paul McCartney catches T-shirt at Nets game

http://www.newsday.com/sports/basketball/nets/paul-mccartney-is-here-there-everywhere-to-see-nets-rangers-1.11249826

 

NUGGETS:

Healthier Kenneth Faried ready to hit his stride

http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_29295439/healthier-kenneth-faried-ready-hit-his-stride-nuggets

 

PACERS:

Kawhi Leonard leads Spurs past Pacers, Paul George

http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nba/pacers/2015/12/21/kawhi-leonard-leads-spurs-past-pacers-paul-george/77304440/

 

Pop: George Hill’s hair could really turn some heads

http://espn.go.com/blog/san-antonio-spurs/post/_/id/278/gregg-popovich-on-george-hills-hair-that-could-really-turn-some-heads

 

PELICANS:

Anthony Davis lands endorsement deal with H&R Block

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

 

Pelicans continue to turn their effort switch off and on

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

 

PISTONS:

Ilyasova’s toughness a needed ingredient for Pistons

http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2015/12/21/detroit-pistons-ersan-ilyasova/77721598/

 

Pistons can make some noise in the playoffs

http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2015/12/21/detroit-pistons-postseason-odds/77728938/

 

Brandon Jennings says Reggie Jackson is the best point guard in the East

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/25422601/brandon-jennings-says-reggie-jackson-is-best-point-guard-in-the-east

 

RAPTORS:

Jonas Valanciunas cleared to practice

http://www.thestar.com/sports/raptors/2015/12/21/raptors-jonas-valanciunas-cleared-to-return-to-practice.html

 

ROCKETS:

Harden, Jones carry Rockets to win over Hornets

http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2015/12/james-harden-terrence-jones-carry-rockets-to-win-over-hornets/

 

Trade rumors bring Rockets together as a team

http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2015/12/trade-talk-rumors-bring-rockets-together-as-a-team/

 

James Harden gives Christmas Miracle to single moms and kids they will never forget

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2015/12/21/nba-star-gives-christmas-miracle-to-single-moms-and-kids-they-will-never-forget/

 

SPURS:

David West didn’t want to roll the dice on another year in Indiana

http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nba/pacers/2015/12/21/david-west-didnt-want-roll-dice-another-year-indiana/77713036/

 

Leonard shuts down Pacers star as Spurs roll

http://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/Leonard-shuts-down-Pacers-star-as-Spurs-roll-to-6714304.php

 

Pop takes low-key approach to Leonard’s latest honor

http://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/Popovich-takes-low-key-approach-to-Leonard-s-6713922.php

 

While the shots aren’t falling, Green is focused on wins and playing defense

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2015/12/21/while-the-shots-arent-falling-greens-focus-is-on-wins-and-playing-defense/

 

SUNS:

Suns fall into old habits in loss to Jazz

http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2015/12/21/suns-fall-into-old-habits-loss-jazz/77720690/

 

Suns shake up lineup, start Booker and Warren

http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2015/12/21/suns-shake-up-lineup-start-devin-booker-and-tj-warren/77727338/

 

THUNDER:

Durant stars late in Thunder’s huge road win over Clippers

http://newsok.com/kevin-durant-stars-late-in-the-thunders-huge-road-win-over-the-clippers/article/5468263

 

Billy Donovan has a long history with Doc Rivers and his family

http://newsok.com/okc-thunder-journal-billy-donovan-has-a-long-history-with-doc-rivers-and-his-family/article/5468192?articleBar=1

 

Would winning a title make it easier for Durant to stay in OKC?

http://newsok.com/tramel-would-winning-a-title-make-it-easier-for-kevin-durant-to-stay-in-okc/article/5468076

 

TIMBERWOLVES:

KG (rest) sits out Wolves loss at Celtics

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14417826/kevin-garnett-minnesota-timberwolves-monday-vs-boston-celtics-rest

 

Boston fans bid Garnett a fond farewell

http://www.twincities.com/timberwolves/ci_29296341/celtics-113-timberwolves-99-boston-fans-bid-kevin

 

TRAIL BLAZERS:

Tim Frazier earns praise for play and endurance in loss to Hawks

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2015/12/tim_frazier_1.html#incart_river_index

 

Hawks beat undermanned Blazers 106-97

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2015/12/trail_blazers_atlanta_hawks_game_rewind_1.html#incart_river_index

 

WARRIORS:

Bogut, Barnes restricted in practice, timetables unclear

http://www.csnbayarea.com/warriors/bogut-barnes-restricted-practice-timetables-unclear

 

Warriors injuries are mounting

http://www.sfgate.com/warriors/article/Warriors-injuries-are-mounting-6713725.php

 

WIZARDS:

John Wall’s career night sullied by another injury

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wizards-insider/wp/2015/12/22/john-walls-career-night-sullied-by-another-injury/

 

Wittman’s short rotation topples Kings

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/wizards/eight-is-enough-wittmans-short-rotation-is-enough-to-top-kings-113-99/2015/12/21/e48f6c0e-a822-11e5-9b92-dea7cd4b1a4d_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.