NBA Daily Links: 12.23.15

PHILOSOPHICAL QUOTE OF THE DAY:

“It is confidence in our bodies, minds, and spirits that allows us to keep looking for new adventures.”

-Oprah Winfrey

 

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

NBA:

Referee Gediminas Petraitis becomes naturalized US citizen

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14423428/nba-referee-gediminas-petraitis-becomes-naturalized-us-citizen

 

Eastern Conference no longer ‘Leastern Conference’

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2015/12/21/eastern-conference-western-conference-jeff-van-gundy-adam-silver-andre-drummond-paul-george-stan-van-gundy/77718174/

 

NBA acknowledges three blown calls in last two minutes of Clippers-Thunder

http://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/clippersnow/la-sp-cn-nba-acknowledges-three-blown-calls-in-last-two-minutes-of-clippers-loss-to-oklahoma-city-20151222-story.html

 

NBA trades that really need to happen

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2601636-free-trade-nba-deals-that-really-need-to-happen

 

NBA reserves who deserve more minutes

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2601295-play-that-man-nba-reserves-who-deserve-more-minutes-during-2015-16-season

 

Cuban ready to start pursuing a future All-Star Game for Dallas

http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-mavericks/mavericks/2015/12/22/cuban-ready-start-pursuing-future-nba-star-game-dallas?f=r

 

Nazr Mohammed: My one regret

http://nazrmohammed.sportsblog.com/posts/9330156/my-one-regret.html

 

Stephon Marbury honored with museum in Beijing

http://espn.go.com/newyork/nba/story/_/id/14421623/stephon-marbury-getting-own-museum-beijing

 

Brittney Griner on if she’d listen to a Gilbert Arenas apology: ‘Hell no’

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/griner-listen-arenas-apology-hell-no-article-1.2473756

 

NBA DRAFT:

A new 2016 NBA mock draft

http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nba-pm-a-new-2016-nba-mock-draft/

 

Is Duke’s Brandon Ingram the NBA’s next great wing?

http://espn.go.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/14418401/is-duke-brandon-ingram-next-kevin-durant-nba

 

NBA scouts are split on Simmons’ only imperfection

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2600060-nba-scouts-are-split-on-ben-simmons-only-imperfection

 

Kobe Bryant intrigued with LSU’s Ben Simmons

http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20151221/lakers-kobe-bryant-intrigued-with-lsus-ben-simmons

 

76ERS:

Sixers mauled by Grizzlies

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/20151223_Sixers_drop_11th_straight.html

 

76ers players back idea to add veterans

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/20151223_76ers_players_back_idea_to_add_veterans.html

 

Brown met with Chuck Hayes, John Lucas III

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/25423757/report-sixers-coach-brett-brown-met-with-chuck-hayes-john-lucas-iii

 

Brown wants 76ers to be like Spurs – someday

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/20151223_Brett_Brown_aspires_Sixers_to_be_like_Spurs_-_someday.html

 

76ers are trading in bad for boring

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2601654-philadelphia-76ers-are-trading-in-bad-for-boring

 

BUCKS:

Michael Carter-Williams pointed in the right direction

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/bucks/guarded-confidence-b99638949z1-363329011.html

 

BULLS:

Chicago’s shaky chemistry class

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14417182/the-bulls-trying-struggling-figure-are

 

Noah out at least 2 weeks with sprained shoulder

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14422794/joakim-noah-chicago-bulls-sprained-shoulder

 

With Noah out at least 2 weeks, how will Bulls respond?

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/ct-joakim-noah-sprained-shoulder-20151222-story.html

 

Bulls don’t lack leaders, they lack followers

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

 

Jimmy Butler’s criticism of a soft Fred Hoiberg would never happen in the NFL

http://chicago.suntimes.com/basketball/7/71/1199411/jimmy-butlers-criticism-soft-fred-hoiberg-never-happen-nfl

 

Don’t panic, the Bulls might be just fine

http://www.sbnation.com/2015/12/22/10639708/chicago-bulls-analysis-derrick-rose-jimmy-butler-fred-hoiberg

 

Growing pains or are the Bulls in trouble?

http://www.basketballinsiders.com/growing-pains-or-are-the-bulls-in-trouble/

 

CAVALIERS:

Irving kept replaying injury before letting it go

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14423379/kyrie-irving-cleveland-cavaliers-kept-replaying-injury-letting-go

 

Mo Williams questionable vs Knicks

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

 

Are LeBron and the Cavs obsessed with the Warriors?

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

 

How Cavaliers guard Iman Shumpert became Dr. Shump and delivered his baby girl

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

 

CELTICS:

Bradley makes good use of teammates with added pressure

http://www.csnne.com/boston-celtics/bradley-makes-good-use-teammates-added-pressure

 

Thomas making strong bid for All-Star consideration

http://www.csnne.com/boston-celtics/thomas-making-strong-bid-all-star-consideration

 

CLIPPERS:

Why everyone in the NBA hates the Clippers

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2600907-why-everyone-in-the-nba-hates-the-clippers

 

Clippers appear destined to be stuck in the middle

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14419987/los-angeles-clippers-appear-destined-stuck-middle

 

Paul, Griffin frustrated with struggling Clippers

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/clippers/2015/12/22/chris-paul-frustration-los-angeles-clippers-houston-rockets-doc-rivers-deandre-jordan-blake-griffin/77699722/

 

Cole Aldrich breaking through for Clippers

http://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/la-sp-clippers-report-20151223-story.html

 

Chris Paul is being more aggressive on offense, and it’s making a difference

http://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/clippersnow/la-sp-cn-chris-paul-clippers-20151222-story.html

 

Why aren’t Clippers playing with great energy every night?

http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20151222/why-arent-clippers-playing-with-great-energy-every-night

 

GRIZZLIES:

Gasol scores 19 as Grizzlies beat 76ers

http://nba.nbcsports.com/2015/12/22/gasol-scores-19-as-grizzlies-beat-76ers-104-90/

 

HAWKS:

Al Horford: On to the next one

http://sportsagentblog.com/2015/12/22/on-to-the-next-one-al-horford-2/

 

Schroder loses tooth (veneer), saves it in sock

http://www.ajc.com/news/sports/basketball/schroder-loses-tooth-saves-it-his-sock/npp4j/

 

HEAT:

Heat give up 18-point lead, miss potential game-winners vs Pistons

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nba/miami-heat/article51222115.html

 

NBA rescinds second Goran Dragic technical and ejection

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/sfl-miami-heat-goran-dragic-s122215-story.html

 

HORNETS:

Hornets gameday vs Celtics

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nba/charlotte-hornets/article51171195.html

 

JAZZ:

Gordon Hayward working on adding post game

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3340192-155/utah-jazz-gordon-hayward-working-on

 

Alec Burks ignites celebration and a little debate with dunk

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3338426-155/utah-jazz-alec-burks-ignites-celebration

 

Jazz get another shot at breaking a Golden State streak Wednesday night in Oakland

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865644258/Jazz-get-another-shot-at-breaking-a-Golden-State-streak-Wednesday-night-in-Oakland.html

 

KINGS:

Antidote

http://www.slamonline.com/antidote/

 

Kings home attendance at highest point in nearly a decade

http://www.sacbee.com/sports/article51099150.html

 

Loss to Wizards microcosm of Kings season

http://www.csnbayarea.com/kings/rewind-loss-wizards-microcosm-kings-season

 

KNICKS:

Should Porzingis play more minutes at center?

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/knicks/post/_/id/63739/should-kristaps-porzingis-play-more-minutes-at-center

 

Carmelo questionable vs Cavs with sprained ankle

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14422394/new-york-knicks-carmelo-anthony-questionable-cleveland-cavaliers-sprained-ankle

 

Carmelo Anthony hates to miss a LeBron James duel, but…

http://nypost.com/2015/12/22/carmelo-anthony-hates-to-miss-a-lebron-duel-but/

 

Cure to Fisher’s lineup fumbling: Bench Phil’s favorites

http://nypost.com/2015/12/22/derek-fisher-failing-to-solve-knicks-finishing-five-confusion/

 

LAKERS:

Scott: Kobe says he’s 100% ready to go

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14423188/los-angeles-lakers-kobe-bryant-says-100-percent-ready-play-according-byron-scott

 

Kobe Bryant gives Lakers a vintage performance in 111-107 win over Nuggets

http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/lakersnow/la-sp-ln-kobe-bryant-gives-lakers-a-vintage-performance-in-109-104-win-over-nuggets-20151222-story.html

 

Why there will never be another Kobe Bryant

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2601389-why-there-will-never-be-another-kobe-bryant

 

Larry Nance Jr.’s Rookie Diary

http://www.theplayerstribune.com/larry-nance-lakers-rookie-diary-2/

 

MAGIC:

Magic big men are impressing with their shooting

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/os-magic-big-men-shooting-1223-20151222-story.html

 

Nik Vucevic is an able replacement for Dwight Howard

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/os-magic-nik-vucevic-brian-schmitz-1223-20151222-column.html

 

Vucevic playing with terrific confidence in recent games

http://www.nba.com/magic/news/vucevic-playing-terrific-confidence-recent-games

 

CJ Watson still has pain in his upper calf

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/os-orlando-magic-news-1223-20151222-story.html

 

MAVERICKS:

Deron Williams strains hamstring, unlikely to play vs Nets

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14425502/dallas-mavericks-guard-deron-williams-strains-hamstring-unlikely-play-brooklyn-nets

 

Looking back at Deron Williams’ decline in Brooklyn

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/nets/back-deron-williams-decline-brooklyn-article-1.2474101

 

Carlisle lambastes Mavericks effort in loss to Raptors

http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nba/dallas-mavericks/article51231990.html

 

Fadeaway helped Nowitzki develop into one of game’s greats

http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nba/dallas-mavericks/article51223300.html

 

NETS:

Mikhail Prokhorov gains full control of Nets, Barclays Center

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14424578/mikhail-prokhorov-gains-full-control-brooklyn-nets-barclays-center

 

NUGGETS:

Kobe Bryant goes back in time, scores 31 in Lakers win over Nuggets

http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_29301450/kobe-goes-back-time

 

Danilo Gallinari injury update

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2347714-danilo-gallinari-injury-updates-on-nuggets-stars-ankle-and-return

 

PELICANS:

Quincy Pondexter participates in first scrimmage since May (knee)

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

 

Jalen Rose predicts Pelicans will trade Ryan Anderson

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

 

PISTONS:

Pistons bench comes through in 93-92 win vs Heat

http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2015/12/22/detroit-pistons-miami-heat/77785452/

 

RAPTORS:

Raptors start quickly, hold off Mavericks charge

http://www.thestar.com/sports/raptors/2015/12/22/raptors-start-quickly-hold-off-mavericks-charge.html

 

ROCKETS:

Ty Lawson looking forward to rejoining team after suspension

http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2015/12/rockets-ty-lawson-looking-forward-to-rejoining-team-after-suspension/

 

Houston stuck with Lawson?

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/writer/ken-berger/25423057/trade-market-for-ty-lawson-minimal-putting-rockets-in-sellers-mode

 

Dwight Howard again says rumors of him being unhappy aren’t true

http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2015/12/dwight-howard-again-says-rumors-of-him-being-unhappy-arent-true/

 

Howard, Harden working to build better chemistry with each other

http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2015/12/dwight-howard-james-harden-working-to-build-better-chemistry-with-each-other/

 

The Rockets still have a ways to go

http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2015/12/22/10645988/houston-rockets-analysis-statistics-highlights-james-harden

 

SPURS:

Ginobili shares Christmas-in-sand memories

http://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/Spurs-Ginobili-shares-Christmas-in-sand-6715673.php

 

Takeaways and key statistics from Spurs win over Pacers

http://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/Five-take-aways-from-Spurs-win-over-Pacers-6714385.php

 

SUNS:

Heavy slate only latest issue for woeful Suns

http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2015/12/22/heavy-slate-only-latest-issue-woeful-phoenix-suns/77772454/

 

THUNDER:

Kevin Durant defends OKC’s iso-ball: ‘If I’ve got it, I’m going to work’

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/25423627/thunders-kevin-durant-defends-iso-ball-if-ive-got-it-im-going-to-work

 

Russell Westbrook stopped by LA nightclub bouncer, asked ‘What’s your name?’

http://newsok.com/russell-westbrook-stopped-by-l.a.-nightclub-bouncer-asked-whats-your-name/article/5468306

 

TIMBERWOLVES:

Even on opponent’s bench, KG stole show at TD Garden

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2015/12/22/even-opponent-bench-kevin-garnett-stole-show-garden/GejBzaa4Cg88XRRciLsSHM/story.html

 

Timberwolves recall Apple Valley’s red-hot Tyus Jones

http://www.twincities.com/timberwolves/ci_29298492/timberwolves-recall-apple-valleys-red-hot-tyus-jones

 

TRAIL BLAZERS:

Lilliard, Blazers should be wary of his plantar fasciitis injury

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

 

Q&A with Mason Plumlee

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

 

CJ the point or CJ the two?

http://www.nba.com/blazers/overtime/news-examines-cj-point-or-cj-two

 

WARRIORS:

The NBA evolution of Steph Curry

http://www.si.com/nba/2015/12/22/stephen-curry-golden-state-warriors-steve-kerr-don-nelson

 

Curry is having the best year ever at everything

http://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2015/12/22/9880402/stephen-curry-best-calendar-year-ever-riley-mvp-golden-state-warriors-curse-dad-toilet

 

Santa Draymond continues to assist, gives gifts to young boy

http://www.csnbayarea.com/warriors/santa-draymond-continues-assist-delivers-gifts-young-boy

 

With Walton sick, Kerr runs practice

http://www.csnbayarea.com/warriors/walton-sick-kerr-runs-practice-today-was-good-day

 

Bogut (back) expects to play Wednesday

http://www.sfgate.com/warriors/article/Warriors-Bogut-back-expects-to-play-Wednesday-6715866.php

 

Curry continues to amaze ABC/ESPN analysts

http://www.sfgate.com/warriors/article/Warriors-Curry-continues-to-amaze-6715485.php

 

Speights’ minutes being eaten up by Ezeli

http://www.csnbayarea.com/warriors/speights-minutes-being-eaten-ezeli-walton-feels-bad

 

WIZARDS:

Wizards hand out gifts, but hope good health is left under their tree

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/colleges/wizards-hand-out-gifts-but-hope-good-health-is-left-under-their-tree/2015/12/22/569b9d8e-a8d9-11e5-9b92-dea7cd4b1a4d_story.html

 

Wizards to sign Jarell Eddie and waive Ryan Hollins

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wizards-insider/wp/2015/12/22/wizards-to-sign-jarell-eddie-and-waive-ryan-hollins/

 

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.allball365.com.