PHILOSOPHICAL QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“To play a wrong note is insignificant; to play without passion is inexcusable.”
-Ludwig Van Beethoven
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NBA:
Christmas Day NBA preview
http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/how-to-talk-about-the-nba-christmas-day-games-with-your-family/
NBA Finals rematch is best of Christmas Day matchups
The gift and curse of playing in the NBA on Christmas
NBA Xmas watch-ability rankings
Flip Saunders was just like us, and that’s what we miss the most
http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_29307185/tom-powers-flip-saunders-was-just-like-us
Eastern Conference making leaps after struggling for years
Time for some re-gifting?
http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nba-thursday-time-for-some-nba-re-gifting/
Ranking the most ‘giving’ teammates
Is the future of the NBA’s center position in good hands?
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2601498-is-the-future-of-the-nbas-center-position-in-good-hands
One thing the NBA keeps getting right is the one thing the NFL keeps messing up
http://www.businessinsider.com/nba-nails-christmas-day-lineups-2015-12
NBA takes a bold stand on gun violence
President Obama shares support for NBA taking a stand against gun violence
http://national.suntimes.com/national-sports/7/72/2338488/president-obama-nba-gun-violence
DraftKings, FanDuel file lawsuit against Illinois attorney general
NBA DRAFT:
Biggest early risers in NBA Draft conversation
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2602117-the-5-biggest-early-risers-in-2016-nba-draft-conversation
76ERS:
76ers Jahlil Okafor had gun pointed at him
Early mistakes could be blessing for Okafor
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14420736/philadelphia-76ers-jahlil-okafor-benefit-mistakes
Sixers re-acquire Ish Smith, release Tony Wroten
BUCKS:
Coach Joe Prunty to go with the flow
http://www.jsonline.com/sports/bucks/coach-joe-prunty-to-go-with-the-flow-b99640252z1-363506311.html
BULLS:
Meeting with surging Thunder comes at inopportune time for Bulls
Bulls looking to turn things around with a two-game trip, starting in OKC
Here’s why Fred Hoiberg’s new offense isn’t working
http://www.sportingnews.com/nba-news/4688945-fred-hoiberg-chicago-bulls-new-offense-jimmy-butler
Noah’s shoulder injury could accelerate change for Bulls
Bulls looking to trade a big
http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nba-pm-bulls-looking-to-shake-up-roster/
CAVALIERS:
Cavs not saying much headed into Finals rematch
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14431876/nba-cavs-not-saying-much-headed-finals-rematch-warriors
LeBron stoic, Shumpert salty on Finals rematch
Why Kevin Love doesn’t fit the Cavs’ small-ball approach against the Warriors
Why LeBron James is a tough matchup when teams go small against the Cavs
LeBron said the memories will come back as soon as the Cavs arrive to play Golden State
LeBron James dispensing so much Christmas love
http://nypost.com/2015/12/24/lebron-james-dispensing-so-much-christmas-love/
LeBron James retains popularity title
CELTICS:
Olynyk making most of his opportunity
http://www.csnne.com/boston-celtics/olynyk-making-most-his-opportunity
Balanced scoring key to Celtics success
http://www.csnne.com/boston-celtics/blakely-balanced-scoring-key-celtics-success
CLIPPERS:
Josh Smith having a rough time of it
http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20151224/la-clippers-josh-smith-having-a-rough-time-of-it
GRIZZLIES:
Mike Conley, fearless in the face of pain, is the CA’s Sportsperson of the Year
Memphis mired in mediocrity since change to small ball
HAWKS:
The new year promising another Hawks run?
HEAT:
Heat trying to turn good chemistry into more victories
http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/ethan-j-skolnick/article51566385.html
Heat again hoping for Christmas cheer and cheers
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/sfl-miami-heat-christmas-s122415-story.html
Tyler Johnson to honor mother during Heat pregame military tribute
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/sfl-miami-heat-tyler-johnson-s122515-story.html
Goran Dragic a game-time decision vs Pelicans
http://www.si.com/nba/2015/12/24/miami-heat-goran-dragic-game-time-decision-christmas
JAZZ:
Jazz a mixed bag heading into Christmas
http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3347505-155/utah-jazz-a-mixed-bag-heading
After loss to Warriors, Jazz take break for Christmas, get ready for Clippers
KINGS:
Cousins makes difference during holidays
Collison-Rondo combination hitting its stride
http://www.csnbayarea.com/kings/rewind-collison-rondo-combination-hitting-its-stride
KNICKS:
Fisher uses hesitant Porzingis to shut down Carmelo hero ball
http://nypost.com/2015/12/24/fisher-uses-hesitant-porzingis-to-shut-down-carmelo-hero-ball/
Lack of late Porzingis impact becoming noticeable for Knicks
Carmelo Anthony’s motivation to become anti-gun role model
http://nypost.com/2015/12/24/carmelo-anthonys-motivation-to-become-anti-gun-role-model/
Knicks expect to have Carmelo Anthony back for the weekend
http://nypost.com/2015/12/24/knicks-expect-to-have-carmelo-anthony-back-for-weekend/
LAKERS:
Kobe’s all day process
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14427243/truehoop-presents-kobe-bryant-all-day-process
Lakers may benefit by matching a Jordan Clarkson offer sheet this summer
Kobe Bryant’s final Christmas as a Laker
D’Angelo Russell wishes he had the same opportunities Chris Paul did under Byron Scott
Byron Scott believes Clippers will try to ‘beat us by 40’
Young, Randle probable for Lakers
http://www.si.com/nba/2015/12/24/nick-young-julius-randle-lakers-injury-update-christmas
Grant Hill shares Christmas Day memory of Kobe
MAGIC:
Victor Oladipo buys new car for struggling mom
Marble sees benefit in D-League stint
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/os-orlando-magic-news-1225-20151224-story.html
Magic hungry and determined to reach goals
http://www.nba.com/magic/news/magic-hungry-and-determined-reach-goals
MAVERICKS:
Why the Mavs won’t get away with dancing around .500 as they search for an identity
Charles Barkley on Dirk: He’s right up there with anybody
Barkley on the time a teenage Dirk torched Scottie Pippen
JJ Barea proving he’s more than a good change-of-pace guard off the bench
Scoring milestone adds to the legend of Dirk Nowitzki
http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nba/dallas-mavericks/article51537675.html
NETS:
The video session where Nets recovered their mojo
http://nypost.com/2015/12/24/the-video-session-where-nets-rediscovered-their-mojo/
NUGGETS:
Has Will Barton made a case for 6th man of the year with Nuggets?
http://www.denverpost.com/knowthis/ci_29307545/has-will-barton-made-case-6th-man-year-nuggets
PELICANS:
Davis, Pelicans experience growing pains
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14428443/anthony-davis-pelicans-experience-growing-pains
Anthony Davis’ good season not enough for Pelicans
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2015/12/23/anthony-davis/77835758/
Pelicans trade Ish Smith to 76ers for 2 second-round picks
PISTONS:
Opponents take notice of Pistons’ Jackson
ROCKETS:
NBA review confirms James Harden was not fouled by Victor Oladipo on final shot
Rockets players happy to be working Christmas
http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2015/12/rockets-players-happy-to-be-working-christmas/
Spurs provide measuring stick for .500 Rockets
http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2015/12/spurs-provide-measuring-stick-for-500-rockets/
44 years after moving to Houston, Rockets finally play host on Christmas
SPURS:
Spurs nuns spread the word of Pop
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14421321/spurs-nuns-faith-san-antonio-spurs
Spurs running roughshod over foes
http://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/Spurs-running-roughshod-over-foes-6719880.php
Leonard’s offensive growth caught many by surprise
JB Bickerstaff hails Spurs as epitome of basketball
SUNS:
Suns suspend Morris two games after towel toss
THUNDER:
Donovan, Hoiberg trending in different directions in college-to-NBA coaching jumps
Kobe has become Kevin Durant’s spirit animal
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2602219-kevin-durants-morphing-into-this-generations-kobe-bryant
WARRIORS:
The Warriors can be beat
Warriors changing strategy vs LeBron from Finals
http://www.csnbayarea.com/warriors/warriors-changing-strategy-vs-lebron-finals
Warriors-Cavs in Finals rematch
http://www.sfgate.com/warriors/article/Warriors-Cavs-in-Christmas-Day-Finals-rematch-6720400.php
Warriors set to reach even greater heights
http://www.nba.com/2015/news/12/24/bridging-the-gap-streaking-warriors/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpts
Are Warriors comparable to Showtime Lakers?
Leandro Barbosa, the Warriors giving teammate
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14432567/leandro-barbosa-golden-state-warriors-giving-teammate
Curry treated for calf before matchup with Cavs
Steph, Dell Curry forged a bond beyond the arc
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nba/charlotte-hornets/article51582025.html
WIZARDS:
No one in NBA history has had a scoring binge quite like Garrett Temple
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.