PHILOSOPHICAL QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“You’ve gotta dance like there’s nobody watching, love like you’ll never be hurt, sing like there’s nobody listening, and live like it’s heaven on earth.”
-William W. Purkey
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NBA:
Sunday shootaround
The most disappointing MVP candidates and former MVPs
Dellavedova and Bogut labelled NBA’s dirtiest in coach and player vote
Ranking 70 greatest power forwards in NBA history
http://www.nba.com/magic/gallery/cohen-8ball-ranking-70-greatest-power-forwards-nba-history
NBA goes all-in for MLK Day tribute with impact
76ERS:
Sixers’ Brown has shown patience with Robert Covington
Covington back in a shooting groove for 76ers
BUCKS:
Bucks guard Khris Middleton finds his scoring groove
Bayless returns from ankle injury
http://www.jsonline.com/sports/bucks/bayless-returns-from-ankle-injury-b99651640z1-365568801.html
BULLS:
Bulls plan to replace Joakim Noah by committee
Bulls’ Joakim Noah to have shoulder surgery, out four to six months
http://www.csnchicago.com/bulls/bulls-joakim-noah-have-shoulder-surgery-out-four-six-months
Joakim Noah prognosis ‘tough on everybody right now’
http://www.csnchicago.com/bulls/bulls-joakim-noah-prognosis-tough-everybody-right-now
Schedule gets tough at seemingly inopportune time for Bulls
CAVALIERS:
Kyrie Irving on rematch with Warriors: “we’re in better space than Christmas Day’
Golden State no longer hungrier than the Cavaliers, as LeBron James once said
Matthew Dellavedova voted NBA’s dirtiest player in recent survey of players and coaches
Cavaliers know they must be better vs. top opponents
Cavaliers need signature win to be seen as true contenders
CELTICS:
Isaiah Thomas, Celtics outlast Wizards in feisty clash
Crowder atones for error with game-winning layup
http://www.csnne.com/boston-celtics/crowder-atones-error-game-winning-layup
Crowder: Wittman said ‘some stuff I didn’t like’
http://www.csnne.com/boston-celtics/crowder-wittman-said-some-stuff-i-didn-t
Avery Bradley aims to find shooter’s rhythm
CLIPPERS:
Clippers are playing stronger, Doc says, but their schedule is about to get stronger too
http://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/la-sp-clippers-report-20160118-story.html
Clippers face tough six-game stretch
http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20160117/la-clippers-face-tough-six-game-stretch
GRIZZLIES:
NBA fines Matt Barnes for inappropriate comments
Barnes says he’s moved on from Fisher incident
HAWKS:
Hawks recall Walter Tavares, Lamar Patterson from D-League to NBA
HEAT:
Thunder hand Heat worst loss of the season 99-74
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/fl-miami-heat-thunder-0118-20160117-story.html
Tyler Johnson starts at point guard in Heat’s matchup against Thunder
http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nba/miami-heat/article55230475.html
Heat’s Beno Udrih misses game vs. Thunder with neck injury
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/fl-miami-heat-news-0118-20160117-story.html
Do Heat have to put tax aside and immediately reach for perimeter help?
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/sfl-askira-story.html
HORNETS:
Hornets gameday: vs. Jazz
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nba/charlotte-hornets/article55208085.html
JAZZ:
Trey Burke’s leap doesn’t go unnoticed
http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3428366-155/utah-jazz-notes-trey-burkes-leap
Rookie Trey Lyles a cause for celebration
http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3427845-155/utah-jazz-rookie-trey-lyles-a
Jazz players reflect on Gobert’s ‘monstrous’ game
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865645681/Jazz-players-reflect-on-Goberts-monstrous-game.html
Jazz start 4-game road trip in Charlotte
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865645682/Utah-Jazz-start-4-game-road-trip-in-Charlotte.html
Randy Hollis: With injury-plagued lineup, Jazz have actually over-achieved this season
KINGS:
Kings look to maintain their intensity during time off
http://www.sacbee.com/sports/nba/sacramento-kings/kings-blog/article55222595.html
Arena work offers boost for Sacramento’s ‘Godmother of Contemporary Art’
http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/news-columns-blogs/city-beat/article55189915.html
KNICKS:
As Knicks slip, Kristaps Porzingis learns he must add greed to his game
All-Star voting fans — and defenses — believing in Porzingis
http://nypost.com/2016/01/17/all-star-voting-fans-and-defenses-believing-in-porzingis/
Kristaps Porzingis learning what it’s like to be focus of defense without injured Carmelo
LAKERS:
Kobe Bryant moves up on Lakers’ assist list in team’s 112-95 loss to Rockets
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-sp-lakers-rockets-20160118-story.html
Lakers’ hot start goes to waste in 112-95 loss to the Houston Rockets
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/lakersnow/la-sp-lakers-houston-rockets-20160117-story.html
Lakers remain high on Jordan Clarkson
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-sp-lakers-report-20160118-story.html
Kobe Bryant to support players, watch Rio Games ‘from afar’
MAGIC:
Oladipo day-to-day with sprained knee, out Monday vs. Hawks
http://www.nba.com/magic/news/oladipo-day-day-sprained-knee-out-monday-vs.-hawks
MAVERICKS:
Spurs defense shuts down Mavericks as San Antonio wins in-state battle
Poor shooting gives Mavs no chance to end Spurs’ home dominance
http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nba/dallas-mavericks/article55235485.html
Spurs loss ends string of games where Mavs prove they don’t belong among NBA elites
Rick Carlisle gets ejected for most-sarcastic round of applause ever
Rick Carlisle sees improvements in Chandler Parson’s conditioning
NETS:
Tony Brown a role model for the merits of perseverance
NUGGETS:
Nuggets outshoot Pacers, move to 3-1 on homestand
http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_29397983/nuggets-outshoot-pacers-129-126
Jameer Nelson missed Nuggets game with sprained wrist
http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_29398405/jameer-nelson-missed-nuggets-game-sprained-wrist
PACERS:
Pacers’ defense falters in loss to Nuggets
PELICANS:
Eric Gordon says time is now for Pelicans to make a push with favorable schedule ahead
http://www.nola.com/pelicans/index.ssf/2016/01/new_orleans_pelicans_43.html – incart_river_index
Will Pelicans rise after bumpy flight this season?
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/page/scontheroadnba16172016/nba-pelicans-ready-turnaround
PISTONS:
2004 Pistons excited about current team’s future
Pistons must carry momentum from win over champs
http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2016/01/17/detroit-pistons-carry-momentum/78938588/
Big Ben brought back Bad Boys’ attitude to Pistons
5 teams that should trade for Brandon Jennings
http://hoopshabit.com/2016/01/17/nba-trade-rumors-5-teams-trade-brandon-jennings/
RAPTORS:
Toronto the good might only get better
http://www.thestar.com/sports/raptors/2016/01/17/toronto-the-good-might-only-get-better.html
Raptors seek spark from seven-game homestand
http://www.torontosun.com/2016/01/17/raptors-seek-spark-from-seven-game-homestand
ROCKETS:
Rockets cruise past first L.A. challenge
Rockets get back on track with thrashing of Lakers
http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2016/01/rockets-get-back-on-track-with-thrashing-of-lakers/
Rockets more fond of former F Tarik Black than Lakers
http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2016/01/rockets-more-fond-of-former-f-tarik-black-than-lakers/
Bickerstaff’s task is devising strategy to free up Harden
Rockets expect more teams to start defending James Harden like Cavaliers
General manager Daryl Morey reflects on McHale, Bickerstaff, Rockets’ season
Dwight Howard has an interesting method for practicing free throws
http://national.suntimes.com/national-sports/7/72/2452996/dwight-howard-practicing-free-throws/
Dwight could be headed out of Houston, Celtics and Bulls emerge as possible destinations
SPURS:
Shaking off slow start, Spurs blow out Mavs
Tony Parker leaves game with soreness in right hip
Spurs beating opponents by historic margins
Which Spur should take the last shot?
Ranking the Spurs’ top 25 players of all-time
Robots no more — Horry sees what he missed
SUNS:
Suns routed in Minnesota; road skid hits 10
Suns’ slower pace fails to fix shortcomings
Suns offense struggling for pace without Eric Bledsoe
Suns season’s 1st half among club’s worst in many ways
THUNDER:
Dion Waiters helps Thunder to blowout of Heat
http://newsok.com/dion-waiters-helps-thunder-to-blowout-of-heat/article/5473199
Will Westbrook at 34 be like Dwyane Wade?
http://newsok.com/will-westbrook-at-34-be-like-dwyane-wade/article/5473197
Donovan calls OKC’s win over Heat best defensive game of season
http://newsok.com/donovan-calls-okcs-win-over-heat-best-defensive-game-of-season/article/5473195
Kevin Durant says he doesn’t hate the media: ‘I actually do love you guys’
TIMBERWOLVES:
Wolves rout struggling Suns by 30 points
http://www.twincities.com/timberwolves/ci_29397238/wolves-rout-struggling-suns-by-30-points
No question, Wolves’ Nikola Pekovic is still rusty
http://www.twincities.com/timberwolves/ci_29397498/no-question-wolves-nikola-pekovic-is-still-rusty
TRAIL BLAZERS:
Third time around NBA a charm for McCollum
http://www.mcall.com/sports/college/mc-cj-mccollum-trail-blazers-nba-0116-20160117-column.html
Damian Lillard’s first music video to air on TNT as Trail Blazers play on MLK Day
WARRIORS:
Warriors don’t panic after 1st rough patch of season
Warriors try to regroup with Cavaliers on horizon
http://www.csnbayarea.com/warriors/warriors-try-regroup-cavaliers-horizon
Steph Curry hopes Cleveland ‘still smells like champagne’
WIZARDS:
From Virginia Tech to the Wizards, Jarell Eddie finds his dream job
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.