PHILOSOPHICAL QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“The man who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.”
-Chinese Proverb
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NBA:
Who needs a coaching change?
http://www.basketballinsiders.com/head-to-head-who-needs-a-coaching-change/
The worst of the East
http://hoopshabit.com/2016/01/03/tis-four-point-play-worst-nbas-better-conference/
Top 10 NBA players who are outplaying their contracts
http://thesportsquotient.com/nba/2016/1/3/top-10-nba-players-who-are-outplaying-their-contracts-part
Lottery odds, draft trades and who’s in line for Ben Simmons
76ERS:
Sixers take positives from 2-3 trip
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/20160104_Sixers_take_positives_from_2-3_trip.html
New-Ish look can only help Sixers
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/20160104_New-look_Sixers_return_from_road_trip.html
76ers father slams tanking team, ‘racist’ NBA in Twitter blasts
http://nypost.com/2016/01/03/76ers-father-slams-tanking-team-racist-nba-in-twitter-blasts/
BUCKS:
Bucks interim coach Joe Prunty got NBA coaching start with Spurs
BULLS:
Bulls 115, Raptors 113
Jimmy Butler’s record 40-point second half has unifying effect in Bulls win
Jimmy Butler ‘a man possessed’ in record-breaking performance
http://www.csnchicago.com/bulls/jimmy-butler-man-possessed-record-breaking-performance
Bulls’ Derrick Rose to undergo MRI on his right leg Monday
CAVALIERS:
Cavaliers have not decided if Jared Cunningham will remain on team past this week
Two ways LeBron James and the Cavaliers are keeping the peace
CELTICS:
Smart’s increased workload becomes Celtics’ necessity
http://www.csnne.com/boston-celtics/marcus-smart-increased-workload-becomes-celtics-necessity
Bradley (hip) will miss Celtics’ Monday game with Nets
http://www.csnne.com/boston-celtics/avery-bradley-will-miss-celtics-monday-game-vs-nets
Last shot at Brooklyn
http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/celtics/2016/01/last_shot_at_brooklyn
Boston gives Kobe and KG the farewell they deserve
CLIPPERS:
Cole Aldrich and Pablo Prigioni helped propel Clippers’ winning streak
http://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/la-sp-clippers-report-20160104-story.html
Clippers: Just wait until Blake Griffin returns
http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20160103/la-clippers-just-wait-until-blake-griffin-returns
GRIZZLIES:
Z-Bo remains a bright spot for transitioning Griz
Grizzlies not all on same page after frustrating loss to Utah Jazz
HAWKS:
Hawks fall to Knicks, 111-97
http://www.myajc.com/news/sports/basketball/hawks-fall-to-knicks-111-97/npw46/
HEAT:
Heat smother life out of Wizards in 97-75 victory in Washington
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/sfl-miami-heat-washington-wizards-s010316-story.html
This time, Heat’s Hassan Whiteside is the one rejecting Wizards
http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/ethan-j-skolnick/article52887230.html
Heat’s first unit finally in plus column
http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nba/miami-heat/article52877640.html
Goran Dragic finally getting more comfortable
http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/ethan-j-skolnick/article52790795.html
Would Wade as reserve ever fly with Dwyane?
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/sfl-askira-story.html
Spoelstra reveals early growing pains with Heat lineup
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/sfl-miami-heat-erik-spoesltra-s010316-story.html
HORNETS:
Steph Curry is pure Charlotte, but who would give up his current gig?
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nba/charlotte-hornets/article52825260.html
Should the Hornets re-sign Al Jefferson?
http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nba-sunday-should-the-hornets-re-sign-al-jefferson/
JAZZ:
Two games vs. Rockets give Utah a chance to improve its playoff chances
http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3374718-155/utah-jazz-notes-two-games-vs
Jazz hope Hood’s breakout a sign of things to come
http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3371905-155/utah-jazz-hope-hoods-breakout-a
Rookie Tibor Pleiss gives the Jazz another inside option after strong game
KINGS:
Kings look for more consistent effort entering two-game trip
http://www.sacbee.com/sports/nba/sacramento-kings/kings-blog/article52867965.html
KNICKS:
Arron Afflalo, With 38 Points, Carries Knicks Past Hawks
Knicks pick up good win over Hawks at Garden, Arron Afflalo goes off from 3-point range
Cleanthony Early leaves hospital, may visit Knicks at practice
Knicks eyeing this year’s Galloway: Jimmer? 76ers castoff?
http://nypost.com/2016/01/03/knicks-eyeing-this-years-galloway-jimmer-76ers-castoff/
Kristaps Porzingis’ game tweak is exactly how Knicks should play
http://nypost.com/2016/01/03/kristaps-porzingis-game-tweak-is-exactly-how-knicks-should-play/
Phil Jackson special adviser reveals daughter has leukemia
http://nypost.com/2016/01/03/phil-jackson-special-adviser-reveals-daughter-has-leukemia/
LAKERS:
Byron Scott is only three-quarters happy after Lakers rout Suns for biggest win this season
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-sp-lakers-suns-20160104-story.html
Lakers win their third straight with a blowout of the Phoenix Suns
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/lakersnow/la-sp-ln-lakers-blow-out-suns-20160103-story.html
Mitch Kupchak says Lakers can’t move on until Kobe Bryant retires
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-sp-lakers-report-20160104-story.html
Mitch Kupchak says Lakers may retire both ‘8’ and ’24’ for Kobe Bryant
Byron Scott: Bryant “probably” will have to manage shoulder pain through 2015-16 season
After injury-filled years, Lakers now among league’s healthiest teams
MAGIC:
Orlando Magic face potential crossroads to their season
Injured Magic point guard Elfrid Payton might not play against the Pistons
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/os-orlando-magic-news-0104-20160103-story.html
Lineup change possible to address defensive concerns
http://www.nba.com/magic/news/skiles-may-consider-tinkering-starting-lineup
MAVERICKS:
The Mavericks’ up-and-down play is not acceptable if they want to be taken seriously
NBA agrees officials made incorrect call in Mavericks’ loss to Pelicans
http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nba/dallas-mavericks/article52881740.html
NETS:
Jarrett Jack out for season with torn ACL, medial meniscus
Nets guard Jack out for season with torn ACL
http://www.nba.com/2016/news/01/03/jarrett-jack-torn-acl/
NUGGETS:
Nuggets fall at home to well-rested Trail Blazers
http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_29340125/nuggets-fall-at-home-well-rested-trail-blazers
Kenneth Faried plays vs. Blazers one day after scary neck injury
http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_29339139/kenneth-faried-much-better-after-neck-injury-against
Nuggets’ Kenneth Faried plays 27 minutes one day after neck injury
PACERS:
Pacers plan to take defense on road
PISTONS:
Marcus Morris sends message of defiance in fracas
RAPTORS:
Butler does it as Chicago Bulls silence Raptors
http://www.thestar.com/sports/raptors/2016/01/03/butler-did-it-as-chicago-bulls-silence-raptors.html
Bulls outlast Raptors as Butler goes off
http://www.torontosun.com/2016/01/03/bulls-outlast-raptors-as-butler-goes-off
ROCKETS:
With Rockets’ skid at 4, turnaround chances fade
Jason Terry sees varied playing time as Rockets continue to transition
SPURS:
Spurs are best team in the league right now & 3 other things we learned
http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2016/1/3/10702728/2016-nba-scores-spurs-rockets-lamarcus-aldridge
The worst champions? Take a look back
http://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/The-worst-champions-Take-a-look-back-6733640.php
Off-Topic conversation: Patty Mills
http://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/Off-Topic-conversaton-Patty-Mills-6733638.php
Spurs lead NBA in innovations
http://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/Spurs-lead-NBA-in-innovations-6733637.php
SUNS:
Suns offense next to hit low point in loss to Lakers
Suns’ youngsters getting rude welcome to NBA
THUNDER:
How blocked shots ignited OKC after down week on defense
TRAIL BLAZERS:
Trail Blazers beat Denver Nuggets, 112-106
http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2016/01/blazers_nuggets_rewind.html – incart_river_index
Blazers, CJ McCollum run past Nuggets
WARRIORS:
Warriors’ Stephen Curry questionable against Hornets (left shin contusion)
http://www.si.com/nba/2016/01/02/stephen-curry-golden-state-warriors-leg-injury-return-update
Kobe Bryant on what makes Luke Walton a successful coach
http://www.csnbayarea.com/warriors/kobe-bryant-what-makes-luke-walton-successful-coach
Ex-Spartan ‘DrayMagic’ on a tear for Warriors
WIZARDS:
Undermanned Wizards get crushed by Heat but avoid another injury scare
Cold-shooting Wizards have no answers for Whiteside, Heat
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.