PHILOSOPHICAL QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.”
-Lao Tzu
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NBA:
Lowe: Picking the NBA All-Star rosters
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14598808/who-deserves-represent-their-conference-nba-all-star-game
NBA midseason grades
http://www.si.com/nba/2016/01/19/nba-midseason-grades-warriors-spurs-cavaliers-knicks-pelicans
Who leads coach of the year race?
http://www.basketballinsiders.com/head-to-head-nba-coach-of-the-year-race/
The trade deadline is nearing
http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nba-pm-the-trade-deadline-is-nearing/
Grades for all 15 West teams, from A+ to F
http://espn.go.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/14592342/western-conference-midseason-grades-nba
Lin, Curry, Harden star in Chinese New Year’s ad
Texas joins other states, says daily fantasy illegal
The 10 greatest centers ever
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/page/nbarankCs/ranking-greatest-centers-nba-history
MJ, Phil Jackson pay their respects to the late Johnny Bach
76ERS:
Noel shot-blocking reaches new heights
Sixers unsure about trades before deadline
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/20160119_Sixers_unsure_about_trades_before_deadline.html
Stauskas expected to play vs. Magic
http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/sports/sixers/Stauskas-expected-to-play-vs-Magic.html
Sixers fans right to wonder why Okafor sat so long
BUCKS:
Bucks handle Heat for third straight victory
http://www.jsonline.com/sports/bucks/live-coverage-bucks-vs-heat-b99654285z1-365837751.html
Middleton thankful for Wade’s helping hand
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/365794381.html
BULLS:
Bulls prepare for daunting task against champion Warriors
http://www.csnchicago.com/bulls/bulls-prepare-daunting-task-against-champion-warriors
Bulls call Joakim Noah’s shoulder surgery successful
Thibodeau on Bulls without Joakim Noah: ‘They can get this done’
http://www.csnchicago.com/bulls/tom-thibodeau-bulls-without-joakim-noah-they-can-get-done
CAVALIERS:
Report: Cavs shopping Timofey Mozgov in trade talks
http://nba.nbcsports.com/2016/01/19/report-cavaliers-shopping-timofey-mozgov-in-trade-talks/
Don’t overreact to the Cavs’ blowout loss
http://www.sbnation.com/2016/1/19/10789494/cavaliers-warriors-blowout-lebron-james-kevin-love-panic
LeBron says focus needs to be on January, not June
Despite huge loss, Cavs’ fate won’t be known until spring
Cavs’ colossal flop against Warriors shows drastic changes might be needed
No Love for Cleveland
Cavs’ championship window could already be closing
NBA’s dirtiest player? Cavs’ Matthew Dellavedova, survey says
CELTICS:
Celtics getting Smart with their bench play
http://www.csnne.com/boston-celtics/marcus-smart-gives-boston-celtics-a-spark-off-the-bench
Celtics small ball lineup hurting them defensively
http://www.csnne.com/boston-celtics/celtics-small-ball-lineup-hurting-them-defensively
Isaiah Thomas believes small size hurts All-Star chances
Jae Crowder, Wizards coach have different views of altercation
CLIPPERS:
Clippers’ DeAndre Jordan has a solid return after missing two games
http://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/la-sp-clippers-report-20160120-story.html
Clippers get bruised Cavs at start of tough road trip
http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20160119/la-clippers-get-bruised-cavs-at-start-of-tough-road-trip
Redick’s sweet shooting keeps the Clippers afloat
http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2016/1/19/10789740/jj-redick-highlights-clippers-shooting
GRIZZLIES:
Grizzlies expected to turn again to Ryan Hollins to bolster frontcourt
A Grizzlies week of momentum, infamous men and more
Should Grizzlies keep Conley?
http://espn.go.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/14589700/memphis-grizzlies-top-trade-targets-assets-nba
HAWKS:
Hawks’ subs pack heat for long road trip
http://www.myajc.com/news/sports/basketball/hawks-subs-pack-heat-for-long-road-trip/np7tz/
HEAT:
Heat gets caught with guards down in home loss to Bucks
http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nba/miami-heat/article55555040.html#storylink=mainstage
Heat struggles to adjust while dealing with myriad injuries
http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nba/miami-heat/article55536390.html
Shoulder MRI on Wade negative for shorthanded Heat
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/sfl-miami-heat-dwyane-wade-s011916-story.html
Is a stubborn coach part of Heats’ issues?
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/sfl-askira-story.html#nt=outfit
HORNETS:
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist cleared for contact drills
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nba/charlotte-hornets/article55447130.html
JAZZ:
Team looking to defend better against point guards
http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3437768-155/utah-jazz-team-looking-to-defend
Jazz’s goal for second half of season? ‘Be healthy’
http://www.sltrib.com/blogs/jazznotes/3436018-155/jazzs-goal-for-second-half-of
Despite adversity, injuries, playoffs still a real possibility
In an ocean of injuries, Exum’s still hurts most
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865645745/In-an-ocean-of-injuries-Exums-still-hurts-most.html
Gordon Hayward eyes a spot on the U.S. Olympics team
KINGS:
Practice makes perfect? Kings will settle for consistent
http://www.sacbee.com/sports/nba/sacramento-kings/article55551215.html
KNICKS:
Porzingis listed as questionable for Knicks-Jazz with bruised right foot
Jeff Van Gundy joins Porzingis fan club
Two scouts share their thoughts about Porzingis
How Robin Lopez has become a key offensive cog for Knicks
http://nypost.com/2016/01/19/how-robin-lopez-has-become-a-key-offensive-cog-for-knicks/
Phil Jackson gets cryptic in his tribute to Glenn Frey
http://nypost.com/2016/01/19/phil-jackson-gets-cryptic-in-his-tribute-to-glenn-frey/
Derek Fisher finally hitting his stride with Knicks
http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3436768-155/utah-jazz-derek-fisher-finally-hitting
Porzingis could take Latvia to the Olympics
LAKERS:
Lakers forward Julius Randle works to get a handle on his shooting problems
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-sp-lakers-report-20160120-story.html
Anthony Brown impressing Lakers in increased role
http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20160119/anthony-brown-impressing-lakers-in-increased-role
MAGIC:
Harris: ‘We’re going to get it back’
http://www.nba.com/magic/news/harris-were-going-get-it-back
Skiles believes in team’s resiliency
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/os-orlando-magic-news-0121-20160119-story.html
Ever so slowly, Magic heed Skiles’ consistent message
MAVERICKS:
Nowitzki is the NBA’s best clutch player this season
Cuban wants NBA season extended by 10 days
http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nba/dallas-mavericks/article55527870.html
Cuban cites stocks, insurance to challenge Texas AG ruling of daily fantasy sports games
NUGGETS:
Nuggets fall at home to OKC as Durant scores 30
http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_29406690/nuggets-fall-at-home-oklahoma-city-kevin-durant
Nuggets, GM Connelly agree on multiyear extension
Westbrook provided blueprint for Mudiay
PACERS:
Pacers hang on to beat Suns
http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nba/pacers/2016/01/19/pacers-hang-beat-suns/78754972/
Pacers seek togetherness after ‘embarrassing’ defensive performance
Pacers in for another shakeup?
http://espn.go.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/14569438/indiana-pacers-top-trade-targets-assets-nba
PELICANS:
Anthony Davis scores 35 points to lead Pelicans’ second-half surge to beat T-Wolves
http://www.nola.com/pelicans/index.ssf/2016/01/pelicans_7.html#incart_river_index
Eric Gordon suffers fractured ring finger on right hand against T-Wolves
Tom Benson’s longtime assistant, claims racial discrimination, harassment by Benson’s wife
http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2016/01/rodney_henry_tom_bensons_longt.html#incart_river_index
Tyreke Evans has missed 19 games due to injury problems with right knee
Ryan Anderson, Jrue Holiday have emerged to make Pelicans’ bench a strength
PISTONS:
Despite up-and-down year, Pistons ‘on the right path’
http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2016/01/19/detroit-pistons-2016-season/79029496/
RAPTORS:
Faithful fans will welcome back former Raptor Amir Johnson with open arms
ROCKETS:
Howard in monster mode
http://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rockets/article/Rockets-Howard-in-monster-mode-6770240.php
Falling behind, Thornton’s role, hot Clippers
Takeaways from the Rockets’ loss to the Clippers
First look at the Rockets’ Chinese New Year jersey
http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2016/01/first-look-at-the-rockets-chinese-new-year-jerseys/
Dwight Howard top-10 all-time center?
http://espn.go.com/nba/insider/story/_/page/nbarankCdebate/5-5-experts-all-top-10-centers-nba
SPURS:
Leonard wants to add Olympic gold medal to his trophy case
Warriors’ rout of Cavs doesn’t deter Spurs from task at hand
LaMarcus Aldridge’s stats are down, but ask him if he cares
SUNS:
Shooting sinks Suns in loss despite Devin Booker’s 32
Bledsoe ‘focused on coming back to dominate’
THUNDER:
Thunder groups together to scratch out road win against Nuggets
Westbrook to appear on ‘The Late Show with Steven Colbert’
Van Gundy says Thunder must shore up defense to be title contender
Two of the NBA’s dirtiest players play for the Thunder, players and coaches say
With healthiest team in NBA, Billy Donovan not thinking of resting players
TIMBERWOLVES:
Timberwolves start fast, finish feebly in loss to Pelicans
Wolves back-to-backs: Pekovic rests vs. Pelicans, Garnett on Wednesday
http://www.startribune.com/wolves-at-nola-kg-first-pek-second-on-back-to-backs/365785641/
Timberwolves need a power forward for the future
TRAIL BLAZERS:
Damian Lillard, Mason Plumlee react to exclusion from national team competition
How CJ McCollum is helping keep Blazers in playoff hunt
Was loss to 76ers good for Blazers?
http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nba-am-was-loss-to-76ers-good-for-blazers/
WARRIORS:
Warriors seek ‘W’ under banner of Chicago’s 72-win season
http://www.sfchronicle.com/warriors/article/Warriors-seek-W-under-banner-of-Chicago-s-6770154.php
Draymond ‘definitely’ agrees with Magic’s tweet about ’15 Finals
http://www.csnbayarea.com/warriors/draymond-definitely-agrees-magics-tweet-about-15-finals
WIZARDS:
In 22 games, Wizards have more losses at home than all of last season
Wizards already rule out players vs. Heat
Marcin Gortat puts Wizards’ injury problems on the players
Protect the house? Wizards home struggles turning serious
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.