PHILOSOPHICAL QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“Asking a working writer what he thinks about critics is like asking a lamppost how it feels about dogs.”
-Christopher Hampton
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NBA:
The most disappointing rookies and sophomores this season
Summer of 2016: Top 10 NBA free agents
http://www.basketballinsiders.com/summer-of-2016-top-10-nba-free-agents/
Basketball Insiders week in review 1/10
http://www.basketballinsiders.com/basketball-insiders-week-in-review-110/
Biggest free agent mistake
http://www.basketballinsiders.com/head-to-head-biggest-free-agent-mistake/
Who’s toughest to stop in the NBA? No surprises in top five
http://www.latimes.com/sports/nba/la-sp-nba-tough-to-defend-20160110-story.html
Dwight Howard or DeMarcus Cousins could be traded to Pelicans or Knicks
NETS’ COACH:
Billy King era comes to a merciful end for Nets
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14545999/billy-king-era-comes-merciful-end-brooklyn-nets
Nets dismiss Hollins and reassign King; owner vows to instill ‘winning culture’
With Mikhail D. Prokhorov, a distant owner, the Nets have lost their way
Top candidates to replace Lionel Hollins as Nets head coach
Mark Jackson expected to push for Nets’ coaching job
http://www.csnbayarea.com/warriors/report-mark-jackson-expected-push-nets-coaching-job
Nets CEO wants UK’s John Calipari as coach and president
http://www.si.com/nba/2016/01/10/john-calipari-kentucky-nets-coach-president
What’s wrong … still. The Brooklyn Nets “small group” culture
Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov has big mess to clean up after massive shakeup
Firing Lionel Hollins won’t fix the Brooklyn Nets
http://ftw.usatoday.com/2016/01/firing-lionel-hollins-wont-fix-the-brooklyn-nets
76ERS:
LeBron James reigns as Cavs handle Sixers
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/20160111_LeBron_James_reigns_as_Cavs_handle_Sixers.html
Best and worst awards: Sixers vs. Cavs
McCoy, Trout, on hand to watch LeBron James
Sixers’ Richaun Holmes biding his time
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/20160111_Sixers__Richaun_Holmes_biding_his_time.html
BUCKS:
Knicks put on a show against Bucks in New York
http://www.jsonline.com/sports/bucks/live-coverage-bucks-vs-mavericks-b99648020z1-364799701.html
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s shooting slump continues
BULLS:
Bulls hope to welcome Joakim Noah back for a busy week
Hoiberg, Bulls get ‘back to the basics’ after win streak snapped
http://www.csnchicago.com/bulls/hoiberg-bulls-get-back-basics-after-win-streak-snapped
CAVALIERS:
LeBron James, Kevin Love terrific as Cavaliers defeat 76ers
LeBron James bounces back after pregame mishap and Cavaliers’ backcourt struggles
The demotion of Cavaliers guard Mo Williams and his thumb injury status
http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2016/01/mo_williams.html – incart_river_index
Waived by Sixers, Jared Cunningham finds role with Cavs
Dellavedova emerges as an unlikely key for NBA championship contending Cavaliers
CELTICS:
Celtics squander big lead, lose to Grizzlies
Celtics blow 21-point lead, lose to Grizzlies, 101-98
http://www.csnne.com/boston-celtics/celtics-blow-21-point-lead-lose-grizzlies-101-98
Celtics ‘find ways to lose’
http://www.csnne.com/boston-celtics/stars-studs-and-duds-celtics-find-ways-lose
Avery Bradley returns to Celtics’ lineup
Focus changes for Brad Stevens after visiting former player
CLIPPERS:
Clippers overcome mistakes to defeat Pelicans, 114-111 in overtime
http://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/la-sp-clippers-pelicans-20160111-story.html – nt=outfit
Clippers hang on to defeat New Orleans in OT for ninth victory in a row
Clippers’ coach Doc Rivers praises Pablo Prigioni
http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20160110/la-clippers-coach-doc-rivers-praises-pablo-prigioni
Jamal Crawford passes Dumars, Stackhouse on all-time scoring list
Clippers are forced to yield to Kings and Lakers at Staples Center
http://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/la-sp-clippers-report-20160111-story.html
GRIZZLIES:
Griz come back to beat Celtics, 101-98
Tony Allen holds on to memories
http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/celtics/2016/01/celtics_notebook_tony_allen_holds_on_to_memories
HEAT:
Heat faces tough challenge of taking on Golden State Warriors on their home court
http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nba/miami-heat/article54043055.html
Nothing right with left shoulders of Wade, Johnson
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/sfl-miami-heat-dwyane-wade-s011016-story.html
Max or no max for Whiteside? That is the question
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/sfl-askira-story.html
HORNETS:
Hornets can’t catch Denver Nuggets, lose 7th in a row
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nba/charlotte-hornets/article54063235.html
JAZZ:
Behind Hayward and Hood, tired Jazz able to defeat lousy Lakers
Rudy Gobert tests knee again in back-to-back
http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3402266-155/jazz-notes-rudy-gobert-tests-knee
KINGS:
Kings forward Quincy Acy draws on lessons by ex-teammate Aaron Gray
http://www.sacbee.com/sports/nba/sacramento-kings/article54056380.html
KNICKS:
Knicks get out to big lead, need it to hold off Bucks in win at Garden
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/knicks-big-lead-bit-beat-bucks-article-1.2492090
Porzingis dazzles with block party in Knicks’ romp over Bucks
http://nypost.com/2016/01/10/porzingis-dazzles-with-block-party-in-knicks-romp-over-bucks/
Calderon gets back in good grace of Knicks fan … for a night
http://nypost.com/2016/01/11/calderon-gets-back-in-good-grace-of-knicks-fan-for-a-night/
Steady and unselfish, Knicks are winning the games they used to lose
2 reasons why it’s OK to talk Knicks and playoff race
http://nypost.com/2016/01/10/2-reasons-why-its-ok-to-talk-knicks-and-playoff-race/
Believe it — there’s reason for hope, joy with these Knicks
http://nypost.com/2016/01/10/believe-it-theres-reason-for-hope-joy-with-these-knicks/
LAKERS:
Lakers nearly set a dubious team record in an 86-74 loss to Utah
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-sp-lakers-jazz-20160111-story.html
Kobe Bryant out as Lakers suit up only 10 players Sunday against Utah
Lakers field concerns with offense, injuries to Kobe Bryant, D’Angelo Russell in loss to Jazz
Lakers GM Kupchak really likes Coach Byron Scott’s tough-love style with young players
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-sp-lakers-kupchak-20160111-story.html
Lakers’ Byron Scott holding off on lineup changes for now
http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20160110/la-lakers-byron-scott-holding-off-on-lineup-changes-for-now
Kobe Bryant’s inner peace
http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nba-sunday-kobe-bryants-inner-peace/
MAGIC:
Magic sense season at a “turning point”
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/os-magic-turning-point-0111-20160110-story.html
Magic center Nik Vucevic says he wasn’t trying to hurt Wizards center Marcin Gortat
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/os-orlando-magic-news-0111-20160110-story.html
MAVERICKS:
Dirk Nowitzki’s late three-point play helps ice Mavs’ win over Timberwolves
Mavs’ backcourt struggled shooting, but a win proves there’s more than just scoring
Upcoming schedule for Mavs a ‘beast; ‘It’s a monster. But we got to make it through’
Consistency still an issue for Powell: Carlisle: ‘He’s a young guy still learning’
NETS:
Let’s check in on the Nets’ draft pick situation
http://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2016/1/10/10746872/nets-draft-picks-yikesville-sixers
NUGGETS:
Nuggets beat Hornets in Emmanuel Mudiay’s return
http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_29367913/nuggets-beat-hornets-emmanuel-mudiays-return
Jameer Nelson out with injured right hip
http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_29368041/nuggets-briefs-jameer-nelson-out-injured-right-hip
PACERS:
Pacers can’t get back games they squander
Pacers rookie Joe Young plays his first NBA game in his hometown
PELICANS:
Jrue Holiday scores 29 in Pelicans’ overtime heartbreaker loss to Clippers, 114-111
http://www.nola.com/pelicans/index.ssf/2016/01/pelicans_6.html – incart_river_index
Alvin Gentry says his players battled hard vs. Clippers
Doc Rivers praises Pelicans for playing extremely spirited
Ryan Anderson says Pelicans are still learning how to play with urgency
Anthony Davis day-to-day with bruised back
PISTONS:
Reggie Jackson hot, but might miss a shot as All-Star
The Pistons were broken, now they’re a Stan Van Gundy team
RAPTORS:
Raptors’ DeMar DeRozan has become more difficult to defend
ROCKETS:
Rockets need OT to subdue Pacers
http://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rockets/article/Rockets-need-OT-to-subdue-Pacers-6749923.php
Trevor Ariza’s two-way game key to Rockets’ win over Pacers
Dwight Howard plays heavy minutes in comeback win after being questionable to start
SPURS:
Spurs remain Duncan’s team
http://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/Spurs-remain-Duncan-s-team-6749539.php
For Spurs, paint points coming by the buckets full
Spurs off-topic conversation: Matt Bonner
http://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/Spurs-Off-Topic-conversation-Matt-Bonner-6746612.php
SUNS:
Suns take new identity after losing games, Eric Bledsoe
Suns “obviously need to make changes” prior to NBA trade deadline
THUNDER:
Damian Lillard’s late 3-point barrage stifles Thunder in loss to Portland
http://newsok.com/damian-lillards-3-point-barrage-leads-portland-past-thunder/article/5471825
Kobe Bryant says, ‘I wouldn’t discount (the Thunder) one bit’
http://newsok.com/kobe-bryant-says-i-wouldnt-discount-the-thunder-one-bit/article/5471784
TIMBERWOLVES:
Timberwolves routed by Cavs despite Andrew Wiggins’ 35 points
Timberwolves doomed by three-point shooting once again
Shabazz Muhammad rising, but Tayshaun Prince starting
TRAIL BLAZERS:
Damian Lillard explodes in 4th to lead Blazers past Thunder, 115-110
Blazers hit season-high 19 3s, rally past Russell Westbrook-led OKC
http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=400828451
WARRIORS:
Heat’s Hassan Whiteside to test Warriors’ small lineup
http://www.sfchronicle.com/warriors/article/Heat-s-Whiteside-to-test-Warriors-small-6749715.php
Thompson: Warriors would probably still be unbeaten if healthy
http://www.csnbayarea.com/warriors/thompson-warriors-would-probably-still-be-unbeaten-if-healthy
WIZARDS:
John Wall tries to strike a balance as he plays through injuries
Wizards’ Marcin Gortat is cheerfully posting really nasty photos of his bloody ear
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.