PHILOSOPHICAL QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.”
-John Lennon
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NBA:
Barnes doubts NBPA filing will reverse wage loss
Date for NBA draft commitment pushed to May
http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/14564613/date-nba-draft-commitment-pushed-may
League finds 6 officiating mistakes late in Cavs win over Mavs
Nets bigger issue for NBA than 76ers
Debating the NBA’s top shooting guards of all time
Warriors, Spurs courting NBA history at opposite ends of the floor
Big men in need of bigger minutes
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2607615-play-that-man-nba-big-men-in-need-of-bigger-minutes
Baron Davis wants just one more chance
Who should make a deal? Part 2
http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nba-am-who-should-make-a-deal-part-2/
Slumping stars: Ranking NBA players whose numbers have dipped
Rookie Rankings: ‘D’ deficiency
76ERS:
Colangelo sees a turnaround sooner, rather than later
Colangelo, Hinkie getting on same Sixers page
Joel Embiid leaves Wasserman, to sign with superagent Leon Rose
BUCKS:
Turnovers, free-throw shooting woes hurt Bucks
http://www.jsonline.com/sports/bucks/bucks-vs-wizards-b99650759z1-365210601.html
BULLS:
Pau Gasol to miss 76ers game
Rose ‘not concerned’ about latest knee injury
What’s wrong with the Bulls’ defense?
http://chicago.suntimes.com/basketball/7/71/1246156/whats-wrong-bulls-defense
Bulls’ roster at a crossroads, in need of real change
http://www.csnchicago.com/bulls/goodwill-bulls-roster-crossroads-need-real-change
Just when the Bulls start turning the corner a new issue creeps up
http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/7/71/1249285/just-bulls-start-turning-corner-new-issues-creeps
The Bulls’ slow breakup with Joakim Noah is getting awkward
http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2016/1/13/10761816/Joakim-Noah-chicago-bulls-fred-hoiberg-awkward
CAVALIERS:
Growing into an MVP: LeBron is teaching Kyrie Irving ongoing lessons
‘Everything hasn’t always been a bed of roses’ for Cavs’ Big 3, 42-5 together over last year
Childhood fights and fastbreak creativity helped give Shumpert ‘the best hands in the league’
LeBron, Kyrie were clunky, lucky, and really good
Superstar fan LeBron gets surprise visit from Cowboys mascot
http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nfl/dallas-cowboys/cowboys-corner-blog/article54457130.html
CELTICS:
Celtics snap four-game skid with 103-94 win over Pacers
http://www.csnne.com/boston-celtics/celtics-snap-four-game-skid-103-94-win-over-pacers
Sullinger replaces Olynyk in starting lineup
Celtics lacking cohesiveness on defensive end
http://www.csnne.com/boston-celtics/celtics-lacking-cohesiveness-defensive-end
Celtics’ chaos needs to be consistent
Stevens shows that a player-coach bond can be forever
Celtics honor former Butler player before game against Pacers
Isaiah Thomas’ not-so-small quest to become an All-Star
Danny Ainge isn’t down on struggling Celtics
Celtics’ top trade targets and assets
http://espn.go.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/14549230/boston-celtics-top-trade-targets-assets-nba
‘Frustrating’ time for David Lee
http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/celtics/2016/01/celtics_notebook_frustrating_time_for_david_lee
CLIPPERS:
In Clippers’ streak, this win over Heat is special
http://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/la-sp-clippers-elliott-20160114-column.html
DeAndre Jordan’s playing streak ends at 360 games because of pneumonia
DeAndre Jordan again challenges Wilt Chamberlain’s field goal percentage record
Blake Griffin not yet ready to return
http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20160113/la-clippers-blake-griffin-not-yet-ready-to-return
5 theories: Why the Clippers look better than ever without Blake Griffin
GRIZZLIES:
Grizzlies taking day off but what’s next amid turmoil?
HAWKS:
Five observations from the Hawks’ 107-84 loss to the Hornets
Hawks send Patterson, Tavares to Austin for chance to play
HEAT:
Heat blows 16-point lead in sloppy loss to Clippers
http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nba/miami-heat/article54627420.html
Goran Dragic out indefinitely with ‘bad’ calf strain
http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nba/miami-heat/article54515310.html
Heat do Hollywood in advance of game against Clippers
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/sfl-miami-heat-erik-spoelstra-s011316-story.html
HORNETS:
Hornets break losing streak with 107-84 rout of Hawks
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nba/charlotte-hornets/article54602475.html
JAZZ:
Jazz fall to Trail Blazers, 99-85
http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3410818-155/live-blog-utah-jazz-fall-to
Raja Bell says Hayward needs to be traded, takes a shot at the Jazz
http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3415330-155/jazz-notes-raja-bell-says-gordon
Favors listed as ‘questionable’
http://www.sltrib.com/blogs/jazznotes/3415316-155/jazz-shootaround-derrick-favors-listed-as
KINGS:
Kings disappoint in ugly loss vs. Pelicans
http://www.csnbayarea.com/kings/instant-replay-kings-disappoint-ugly-loss-vs-pelicans
Number crunch: Pelicans go deep in win over Kings
http://www.sacbee.com/sports/nba/sacramento-kings/article54628295.html
George Karl says better defense a must to make playoffs
http://www.sacbee.com/sports/nba/sacramento-kings/article54618305.html
KNICKS:
Without Carmelo Anthony, Knicks stunned by lowly Nets
http://nypost.com/2016/01/13/without-carmelo-anthony-knicks-stunned-by-lowly-nets/
Arron Afflalo’s Knicks value goes beyond sweet shooting
http://nypost.com/2016/01/13/arron-afflalos-knicks-value-goes-beyond-sweet-shooting/
Jerian Grant finally shows why Phil Jackson traded for him
http://nypost.com/2016/01/13/jerian-grant-finally-shows-why-phil-jackson-traded-for-him/
Kristaps Porzingis’ endorsement power rises on 2 continents
http://nypost.com/2016/01/13/how-kristaps-porzingis-rising-popularity-is-helping-latvia/
Carmelo Anthony sidelined for Knicks game against Nets, hopes to play Saturday
Knicks fans turn Barclays into home game
Suspect in Queens robbery linked to Cleanthony Early shooting
Phil Jackson’s challenge: Teaching Knicks owner James Dolan patience
LAKERS:
Bryant could miss four to seven games due to Achilles injury
1-on-1 battle with Kobe: Health vs. obligation
Lakers trainer Gary Vitti wants to shut down Bryant for a week or two because of injury
Scott appreciates D’Angelo Russell’s honesty about wanting to close out games
Does Anthony Brown have a future with the Lakers?
MAGIC:
Magic hope to use London trip to stop their slide
Elfrid Payton nears return from injury, but Aaron Gordon sprains his ankle
Sharing London experience with family important to Magic
http://www.nba.com/magic/news/sharing-london-experience-family-important-magic
Well-traveled Vucevic ready for London showdown
http://espn.go.com/blog/nba/post/_/id/13006/13006
Magic’s itinerary in England is confusing
http://www.torontosun.com/2016/01/13/magics-itinerary-in-england-is-confusing
MAVERICKS:
Even in a throwaway loss to Oklahoma City, J.J. Barea left his mark on the Thunder
Charlie Villanueva grabs Westbrook’s neck in middle of Mavs-Thunder dust-up
Unlike the other starters (rest), Zaza Pachulia’s late scratch vs. OKC was due to injury
Carlisle or Matthews? There’s always a battle when resting for a game is involved
Mavs mad about resting: Carlisle doesn’t care
Mavs’ draw highest TV audience of the season against LeBron and the Cavs
NETS:
Melo-less Knicks fall to Nets in Brooklyn
New approach helps give Nets interim coach his first victory
http://nypost.com/2016/01/14/new-approach-helps-give-nets-interim-coach-his-first-victory/
Tony Brown says basketball is fun, simple
http://www.newsday.com/sports/basketball/nets/tony-brown-says-basketball-is-fun-simple-1.11323331
Brooklyn reaches out to Tom Thibodeau to fill coaching vacancy
How the Nets’ next general manager can clean up all the ugliness
NUGGETS:
Nuggets stun Golden State, holding off late rally by Curry, Warriors
http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_29382651/nuggets-stun-golden-state-holding-off-late-rally
Nuggets can win – with courage
http://www.denverpost.com/kiszla/ci_29383031/nuggets-can-win-courage
Sharp-shooting Sean Kilpatrick could be used quickly by Nuggets
http://blogs.denverpost.com/nuggets/2016/01/13/sean-kilpatrick-nuggets/13663/
PACERS:
Pacers: ‘Today was pretty much inexcusable’
http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nba/pacers/2016/01/13/pacers-falter-end-vs-celtics/78231482/
PELICANS:
Gordon makes 6 3-pointers to help Pelicans beat Sacramento, 109-97
http://www.nola.com/pelicans/index.ssf/2016/01/pelicans_trying_to_end_4-game.html#incart_river_index
Pelicans are 0-19 when scoring less than 100 points
http://www.nola.com/pelicans/index.ssf/2016/01/new_orleans_pelicans_are_0-19.html#incart_river_index
Anthony Davis not stepping up as leader, website says
http://www.nola.com/pelicans/index.ssf/2016/01/anthony_davis_not_stepping_up.html#incart_river_index
Saints, Pelicans owner Tom Benson ordered to give deposition in Texas case
PISTONS:
Pistons’ Van Gundy: I need more from Drummond, Jackson
http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2016/01/13/detroit-pistons-andre-drummond/78751904/
Magic Johnson: ‘No way’ Curry is better than Isiah
http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2016/01/13/magic-johnson-isiah-thomas-nba/78742450/
Remembering, honoring Pistons’ Big Ben
http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2016/01/13/ben-wallace-jersey-retirment/78772356/
RAPTORS:
Raptors mixing business with pleasure in London awaiting game against Magic
Raptors’ Luis Scola wants more games outside North America
http://www.torontosun.com/2016/01/13/raptors-luis-scola-wants-more-games-outside-north-america
GM Masai Ujiri learns best on the road
http://espn.go.com/blog/nba/post/_/id/12997/raptors-gm-masai-ujiri-learns-best-on-the-road
ROCKETS:
Harden reaches milestone as Rockets nip T-Wolves for 5th win in row
Beverley sits out to visit ill grandmother
Jason Terry gets the start in Beverley’s absence
http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2016/01/jason-terry-gets-the-start-in-pat-beverleys-absence/
For Rockets’ Terrence Jones something has finally clicked
http://espn.go.com/blog/houston-rockets/post/_/id/1776/the-play-of-terrence-jones-is-improving
SPURS:
Streaking Spurs eager for Cleveland’s test
Leonard set for King of all two-way tests
SUNS:
Mirza Teletovic returns to NBA shooting elite
THUNDER:
Westbrook ejected as Thunder rout short-handed Mavs
http://newsok.com/westbrook-ejected-as-thunder-rout-short-handed-mavericks/article/5472406
Durant, Donovan disagree with Westbrook ejection
http://newsok.com/kevin-durant-billy-donovan-disagree-with-westbrook-ejection/article/5472456
TIMBERWOLVES:
Rockets hand Timberwolves their eighth straight loss
http://www.twincities.com/timberwolves/ci_29382587/rockets-hand-timberwolves-eighth-straight-loss
Garnett, Pekovic tag-team playing back-to-back games
Minnesota’s long, cold basketball winter
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14561465/windhorst-minnesota-long-cold-basketball-winter
TRAIL BLAZERS:
Trail Blazers cruise to 99-85 win over Jazz
Trail Blazers remain motivated by playoff push, not increasing NBA lottery odds
Trail Blazers need to explore CJ McCollum trade
Lillard as MVP, Crabbe, not McCollum, as Most Improved: Blazers at midseason
WARRIORS:
Without Draymond Green, Warriors absorb 3rd loss of season
Golden State find it’s not easy without Draymond Green
http://espn.go.com/blog/statsinfo/post/_/id/113636/warriors-find-its-not-easy-without-draymond-green
Warriors’ Jason Thompson starts for Draymond Green
Looney driven to disprove Draft-day doubters
WIZARDS:
Beal returns as Wizards work over Bucks 106-101
Otto Porter Jr. exits Wizards’ win over Bucks with hip injury
Beal’s mere presence commands respect, creates more options
Wittman: Gortat doesn’t have staph infection
Wall going strong even as injuries batter Wizards’ roster
Wall expresses ‘relief’ with new direction after firing agent
Dudley says Bucks made right move to trade him
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.