NBA Daily Links: 1.2.16

January 2, 2016 by Pete Newmann

PHILOSOPHICAL QUOTE OF THE DAY:

“I attribute my success to this: I never gave or took any excuse.”

–Florence Nightingale

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NBA:

NBA: Referee’s blown call cost Nets in loss to Magic

http://nypost.com/2016/01/01/nba-referees-blown-call-cost-nets-in-loss-to-magic/

Some NBA resolutions for 2016

http://www.nba.com/2016/news/features/fran_blinebury/01/01/new-years-resolutions-for-nba-teams-players-and-stars-stephen-curry-kevin-durant-lebron-james-golden-state-warriors-jimmy-butler-chicago-bulls/index.html

2016 New Year’s resolutions for all 30 teams

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/2016-new-year-s-resolutions-for-all-30-nba-teams-201237181.html

Top 10 NBA sophs by future potential

http://espn.go.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/14472833/ranking-andrew-wiggins-jabari-parker-2015-16-sophomores-future-potential-nba

Lamar Odom seen in 1^st photo since drug binge hospitalization

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/lamar-odom-1st-pic-drug-binge-hospitalization-article-1.2483113

NY wants DraftKings, FanDuel to return profits

http://espn.go.com/chalk/story/_/id/14458955/new-york-attorney-general-wants-draftkings-fanduel-return-profits

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/02/sports/revised-complaint-seeks-return-of-money-bet-on-fantasy-sports.html?ref=sports&_r=0

Michael Jordan’s son aims high with new retail line

http://www.cnbc.com/2015/12/31/michael-jordans-son-aims-high-with-new-retail-line.html

NBA DRAFT:

Cal to Skal: You may need two years to get to the NBA

http://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-basketball-men/article52676990.html

76ERS:

GM San Hinkie making Sixers less attractive to draftees

http://www.si.com/nba/2016/01/01/report-gm-sam-hinkie-making-sixers-less-attractive-prospects

Embiid toiling on court, beach

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/20160102_Embiid_working_out_on_Calif_court__beach.html

Jerami Grant flourishing at forward spot

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/20160102_Jerami_Grant_flourishing_in_either_forward_spot.html

Hollis Thompson likely out two games

http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/sports/sixers/Thompson-likely-out-for-two-games.html

Mike D’Antoni has no interest revisiting time with Lakers

http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20160101/76ers-mike-dantoni-no-interest-revisiting-time-coaching-lakers

Stuck in LA

http://www.csnphilly.com/basketball-philadelphia-76ers/instant-replay-sixers-84-los-angeles-lakers-93-game-recap

BUCKS:

Khris Middleton shooting lights out in past 6 games

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/bucks/bucks-guard-khris-middleton-shooting-lights-out-in-past-6-games-b99644205z1-364007521.html

BULLS:

Bulls consistent with unpredictability in lopsided win over Knicks

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/ct-bulls-blowout-victory-knicks-report-spt-0102-20160101-story.html

Taj Gibson has helped stabilize starting unit since promotion last month

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/ct-taj-gibson-bits-bulls-spt-0102-20160101-story.html

Derrick Rose misses second consecutive game with soreness in the hamstring

http://chicago.suntimes.com/basketball/7/71/1220896/derrick-rose-misses-second-consecutive-game-soreness-hamstring

CAVALIERS:

Blatt likes Cavaliers flexibility at point guard

http://espn.go.com/blog/cleveland-cavaliers/post/_/id/1752/a-look-at-the-cavs-point-guard-situation

Cavaliers ‘may not have shown everything’ to Warriors last week

http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2016/01/lebron_james_david_blatt_golde.html#incart_social_feature

LeBron is in a better place one year later with the Cavs, even if statistics don’t show it

http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2016/01/one_year_after_being_pulled_fo.html#incart_river_index

What are the Cavaliers weakest links right now?

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2604050-what-are-cleveland-cavaliers-weakest-links-right-now

CELTICS:

Brad Stevens: Celtics could play an outdoor NBA game in near future

http://nesn.com/2016/01/brad-stevens-celtics-could-play-an-outdoor-nba-game-in-near-future/

Late arrival, not injury ‘probably’ kept Smart out

http://www.csnne.com/boston-celtics/late-arrival-not-injury-probably-kept-marcus-smart-out

Celtics need to guard against taking lesser teams lightly

http://www.csnne.com/boston-celtics/celtics-need-guard-against-taking-lesser-teams-lightly

Celtics need sharp focus after stunning loss to LA

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2016/01/01/onhoop/huix40rG608vE1KSc9YPtL/story.html

CLIPPERS:

Clippers miss Blake Griffin, but they’re winning without him

http://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/la-sp-clippers-report-20160102-story.html

Clippers have successful trip, return home to face Philadelphia

http://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/clippersnow/la-sp-cn-clippers-road-wins-20160101-story.html

Doc Rivers praises Mbah a Moute

http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20160101/la-clippers-coach-doc-rivers-praises-luc-mbah-a-moute

GRIZZLIES:

Barnes rants about the worst year of his life

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14479617/matt-barnes-lists-ways-2015-was-worst-year-life

Barnes ends suspension, 2015 with emotional message

http://www.commercialappeal.com/sports/grizzlies/barnes-ends-suspension-2015-with-emotional-message-284dce01-7fc0-01fb-e053-0100007f7e62-364006941.html

HEAT:

Whiteside leads Heat in dismantling of Mavericks

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nba/miami-heat/article52696960.html

Wade not in starting lineup due to dehydration, plays off bench

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/sfl-miami-heat-dwyane-wade-s010116-story.html

HORNETS:

DeRozan leads Raptors past Hornets

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/article52697610.html

Jeremy Lamb faces OKC for first time since offseason trade

http://newsok.com/jeremy-lamb-faces-okc-for-first-time-since-offseason-trade/article/5470177

JAZZ:

Jeff Withey providing valuable relief in Rudy Gobert’s absence

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3366870-155/utah-jazz-notes-jeff-withey-providing

Progress, but no return date set for Rudy Gobert

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3369275-155/utah-jazz-progress-but-no-return

After breezy win over Portland, can Jazz start new year right with win over Memphis?

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865644707/After-breezy-win-over-Portland-can-Jazz-start-new-year-right-with-win-over-Memphis.html

KINGS:

Kings seem further from making playoffs than standings indicate

http://www.sacbee.com/sports/nba/sacramento-kings/kings-blog/article52685960.html

Kings wrap 2015 with whimper; will 2016 be different?

http://www.csnbayarea.com/kings/kings-wrap-2015-whimper-will-2016-be-different

Trades coming in Sacramento?

http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nba-am-will-the-kings-entertain-trades/

KNICKS:

Fisher calls out quitting Knicks after 4^th makes horrid history

http://nypost.com/2016/01/01/knicks-unbelievable-4th-makes-dreaded-history-in-failed-comeback/

Porzingis lives with mom and dad to stay out of trouble

http://nypost.com/2016/01/01/knicks-porzingis-lives-with-mom-and-dad-to-stay-out-of-trouble/

Cops hope stolen car will lead to thugs who shot Knick

http://nypost.com/2016/01/01/cops-hope-stolen-car-will-lead-to-thugs-who-shot-knick/

LAKERS:

Kobe out vs Sixers with sore shoulder

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14481827/kobe-bryant-los-angeles-lakers-vs-philadelphia-76ers

Lakers beat Philadelphia for their first back-to-back wins this season

http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/lakersnow/la-sp-ln-lakers-philadelphia-76ers-20160101-story.html

MAGIC:

Magic lose to Wizards 103-91

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/os-magic-wizards-0102-20160101-story.html

Oladipo playing elite defense

http://www.nba.com/magic/news/film-room-victor-oladipo-playing-elite-defense

MAVERICKS:

Silver lining to getting blown out in Miami? Sneak peek at FA target next summer

http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-mavericks/mavericks/2016/01/01/sefko-silver-lining-getting-blown-miami-mavs-got-sneak-peek-potentially-biggest-target-next-summer?f=r

Rick Carlisle closing in on personal mentor, Chuck Daly, on all-time wins list

http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-mavericks/mavericks/2016/01/01/rick-carlisle-closing-personal-mentor-chuck-daly-time-wins-list?f=r

Returning to Miami rekindles Mark Cuban’s best (2011) and worst (2006) memories

http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-mavericks/mavericks/2016/01/01/returning-miami-rekindles-mark-cubans-best-2011-worst-2006-memories-dallas-mavericks-owner?f=r

Return timetable unknown after Devin Harris left Miami game with back spasms

http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-mavericks/mavericks/2016/01/01/return-timetable-unknown-devin-harris-left-miami-game-back-spasms?f=r

After embarrassing loss, Mavs ready for Pelicans

http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nba/dallas-mavericks/full-court-press-blog/article52705310.html

NETS:

Chris McCullough, one of last reasons to watch Nets, takes big step

http://nypost.com/2016/01/01/chris-mccullough-one-of-last-reasons-to-watch-nets-takes-big-step/

NUGGETS:

Danilo Gallinari, Jusuf Nurkic to return

http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_29334935/gallo-nurkic-return

PACERS:

Whittington, Christmas get cameo with Pacers

http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nba/pacers/2016/01/01/whittington-christmas-get-cameo-pacers/78180586/

Myles Turner motivated after missing time

http://allball.blogs.nba.com/2016/01/01/rookie-diary-volume-2-myles-turner/?ls=iref:nbahpts

PELICANS:

Pelicans start new year with fading playoff hopes, lingering execution problems

http://www.nola.com/pelicans/index.ssf/2016/01/new_orleans_pelicans_start_new.html#incart_river_index

PISTONS:

Tolliver heats up from long range in December

http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2016/01/01/detroit-pistons-anthony-tolliver/78182876/

RAPTORS:

Huge fourth quarter leads Raptors to victory over Hornets

http://www.thestar.com/sports/raptors/2016/01/01/kyle-lowry-leads-raptors-to-victory-over-hornets.html

Raptors flip the script on Hornets

http://www.torontosun.com/2016/01/01/raptors-flip-the-script-on-hornets

SPURS:

Spurs aim to be tougher in Rockets rematch

http://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/Spurs-aim-to-be-tougher-in-Rockets-rematch-6732109.php

Green determined to shoot better in 2016

http://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/BKN-Spurs-notebook-1-2-6731953.php

SUNS:

Suns start youngest wings in Devin Booker, TJ Warren

http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2016/01/01/suns-start-youngest-wings-devin-booker-tj-warren/78195452/

Time to blow it up?

http://www.basketballinsiders.com/time-to-tear-it-down-in-phoenix/

THUNDER:

What happened to the Thunder’s dominance at the FT line?

http://newsok.com/what-happened-to-the-thunders-dominance-at-the-free-throw-line/article/5470180

No Al Jefferson worry for Thunder interior defense

http://newsok.com/okc-thunder-no-al-jefferson-worry-for-thunder-interior-defense/article/5470179

Scoring machine Durant polishing his entire game now

http://www.nba.com/2016/news/features/sekou_smith/01/01/kia-race-to-the-mvp-kevin-durant-rises-the-ranks-stephen-curry-kawhi-leonard-russell-westbrook-lebron-james/

TIMBERWOLVES:

Towns is making the Wolves future look very bright

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/25434157/karl-anthony-towns-is-making-the-wolves-future-look-very-bright

TRAIL BLAZERS:

The struggle of Gerald Henderson

http://www.csnnw.com/blazers/struggle-gerald-henderson-veteran-trying-find-his-way-trail-blazers

WARRIORS:

Warriors fans turn games into traditions

http://www.sfgate.com/warriors/article/Warriors-fans-turn-games-into-traditions-6732073.php

WIZARDS:

Wizards open 2016 strong as Wall, Porter spur win over Magic

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/wizards/wizards-open-2016-strong-as-john-wall-otto-porter-spur-win-over-magic/2016/01/01/90e094bc-b0cd-11e5-b820-eea4d64be2a1_story.html

Gooden to undergo MRI on right calf

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wizards-insider/wp/2016/01/01/wizards-drew-gooden-iii-to-undergo-mri-on-right-calf/

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.