PHILOSOPHICAL QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“The moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease forever to be able to do it.”
-J.M. Barrie
================================
NBA:
The most disappointing rookies and sophomores this season
Curry and the All-Star lineup we’d love to see
The Morris twins are having opposite seasons
NBA star Clyde Lovellette’s wild second act
Sneakerheads flock to Ithaca shop for Nike shoe
Yahoo! Hoops writer got a steal of a deal
http://nypost.com/2016/01/08/yahoo-hoops-writer-got-a-steal-of-deal/
LAMAR ODOM:
Lamar Odom on to next phase of overdose recovery
Lamar Odom’s first photo after hospitalization
http://www.tmz.com/2016/01/09/lamar-odom-photo-hospital-rehab/
FIBA:
Australia’s NBA Boomers eye Rio Olympics glory
NBA DRAFT:
Ben Simmons’ best NBA role might be a super Draymond Green
76ERS:
Sixers fast start fizzles in loss to Raptors
Sixers see big picture with Okafor’s defensive growth
BUCKS:
Monroe, Henson give Bucks solid post presence
BULLS:
Bulls targeting Noah return Monday vs Wizards
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14536481/chicago-bulls-hopeful-joakim-noah-return-monday
Bulls win streak ends after sluggish start in Atlanta
Bulls lose in Atlanta but help could be coming by the trade deadline
http://chicago.suntimes.com/basketball/7/71/1240210/bulls-lose-atlanta-help-coming-trade-deadline
Mike Dunleavy at least a month away from returning
CAVALIERS:
LeBron backs JR’s shot as worthy of All-Star contest
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14533703/lebron-touts-jr-smith-long-shot-credentials
LeBron James had no idea how close he’s come to a piece of NBA history
http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2016/01/lebron_james_triple-double_1.html#incart_river_index
Cavaliers have Terry Talkin’ about LeBron James, Johnny Manziel and the Love trade
CELTICS:
Stevens returns after visiting ill ex-player
Bradley on status vs Grizzlies: I’m playing
http://www.csnne.com/boston-celtics/bradley-status-vs-grizzlies-i-m-playing
CLIPPERS:
Clippers win again without Blake Griffin
http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20160109/la-clippers-win-again-without-blake-griffin
Griffin in conversation for best big in the NBA
http://www.nba.com/clippers/news/clifford-griffin-in-conversation-for-best-big-in-nba
GRIZZLIES:
Grizzlies need Gasol’s best
Tony Allen out of his funk
HAWKS:
Observations from Hawks win over Bulls
http://www.ajc.com/news/sports/basketball/hawks-run-over-bulls-in-top-notch-win/np2Ww/
Atlanta sports CEOs drawn from other fields
Lamar Patterson finding his way in the NBA
HEAT:
Cold-shooting Heat fall flat in loss to Jazz
http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nba/miami-heat/article53969660.html
Heat’s veteran power rotation players not seeing much time
http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nba/miami-heat/article53973255.html
Wade reflects on Chris Paul, opportunities missed
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/sfl-ira-nba-column-s011016-column.html
Dwyane Wade turning back the clock
http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nba-saturday-dwyane-wade-turning-back-the-clock-this-season/
HORNETS:
Clippers extend their win streak, Hornets losing streak
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nba/charlotte-hornets/article53929485.html
A fitting return to LA for Spencer Hawes, who didn’t fit with the Clippers
http://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/la-sp-clippers-report-20160110-story.html
JAZZ:
Dwyane Wade calls injured Alec Burks the NBA’s most underrated player
http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3396438-155/utah-jazz-dwyane-wade-calls-injured
Johnson ready when his time comes for the Jazz
http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3396436-155/utah-jazz-johnson-ready-when-his
Jazz end losing streak with win over the Heat
KINGS:
Kevin Harlan recalls mesmerizing style of old Kings teams
http://www.sacbee.com/sports/nba/sacramento-kings/kings-blog/article53938105.html
Kings hang tough, can’t fight off Warriors
http://www.csnbayarea.com/kings/instant-replay-kings-hang-tough-cant-fight-warriors
KNICKS:
Next task for Knicks? Finding consistency
http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/knicks/post/_/id/63839/next-task-for-knicks-finding-consistency
When gunshot victim Early could return to action for Knicks
http://nypost.com/2016/01/09/when-gunshot-victim-early-could-return-to-action-for-knicks/
Carmelo Anthony shares the load by shooting less and trusting more
Loss to Spurs won’t diminish how Knicks are improving
LAKERS:
Lakers still plan to rebuild, when they can get to it
Kobe Bryant hiding frustration a lot better
http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20160109/lakers-kobe-bryant-hiding-frustration-a-lot-better
Has Kobe Bryant gone soft in his last season?
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-sp-lakers-report-20160110-story.html#nt=outfit
Lakers plan to target DeRozan in offseason
http://sircharlesincharge.com/2016/01/09/nba-trade-rumors-lakers-demar-derozan/
MAGIC:
Wizards complete season sweep against Magic
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/os-magic-wizards-game-0110-20160109-story.html
Payton looks to return in London
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/os-orlando-magic-news-0110-20160109-story.html
MAVERICKS:
Dirk and Carlisle sound the alarms; what has the Mavs power duo concerned?
Q&A with Zaza Pachulia
Why 100 points could be Mavs magic number vs angry bunch of Wolves
Rick Carlisle concerned about Deron Williams’ shooting arm
Dirk Nowitzki looks ahead to tough Mavs schedule
http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nba/dallas-mavericks/article53958785.html
No chance of Nowitzki playing Powerball
http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nba/dallas-mavericks/full-court-press-blog/article53902885.html
NETS:
Free-falling Nets ripped by Pistons
http://nypost.com/2016/01/09/free-falling-nets-ripped-by-pistons/
Wayne Ellington backs President Obama’s gun-control efforts
Brook Lopez has no regrets about staying with Nets
http://www.northjersey.com/sports/basketball/nets/no-regrets-from-lopez-1.1487519?page=all
NUGGETS:
Nuggets GM thinks highly of international players, has top international scouting staff
http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_29364224/nuggets-tim-connelly-international-players
Sitting Emmauel Mudiay until he’s ready is right course of action
http://www.denverpost.com/dempsey/ci_29364611/dempsey-sitting-emmanuel-mudiay-right
PACERS:
Not an MVP; Miles leads Pacers as most selfless player
PELICANS:
Anthony Davis continues to undergo treatment for painful bruise on lower back
PISTONS:
Detroit 103, Brooklyn 89: Rookies fill void for Pistons
http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2016/01/09/detroit-pistons-brooklyn-nets/78550736/
Tighter defense would help Pistons playoff run
http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2016/01/09/detroit-pistons-defense/78568702/
RAPTORS:
Kyle Lowry leads Raptors in home stretch of another homecoming
DeRozan on future with Raptors: This is where I want to be
http://www.sportsnet.ca/basketball/nba/derozan-on-future-with-raptors-this-is-where-i-want-to-be/
Deep postseason run?
http://www.basketballinsiders.com/can-torontos-backcourt-push-raptors-to-a-deep-playoff-run/
ROCKETS:
Howard’s status for Sunday’s game uncertain
Sam Dekker’s mom zinged him about not graduating college
THUNDER:
Back from a D-League excursion, Mitch McGary is trying to find his role
TIMBERWOLVES:
Timberwolves youth movements getting old fast
TRAIL BLAZERS:
Moe Harkless looks to be aggressive, play like ‘New York Moe’
Warriors offer Blazers lesson in excellence, identity
WARRIORS:
Warriors reign threes in win over Kings
http://www.csnbayarea.com/warriors/instant-replay-warriors-rain-threes-win-over-kings
Walton fondly remembers Sacramento arena
http://www.sfgate.com/warriors/article/Warriors-Walton-fondly-remembers-Sacramento-6748473.php
Backup center Thompson has plenty of Sacramento memories
http://www.sfgate.com/warriors/article/Backup-center-Thompson-has-plenty-of-Sacramento-6748757.php
WIZARDS:
Wizards stand up to Magic’s physicality in win
Wizards keep Magic’s number, beat Orlando for 12th straight time
Wizards wasting Wall
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.