PHILOSOPHICAL QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“The best revenge is massive success.”
-Frank Sinatra
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NBA:
Knicks’ Porzingis 4th in jersey sales; Curry No. 1
West playoff race becoming refreshingly wild
NBA superstar rankings 2016: Curry doing it all
Contract year injury woes
http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nba-pm-will-contract-year-injuries-affect-free-agency/
Midseason report cards: Who receives high marks?
http://www.nba.com/reportcard/midseason/2016/index.html
Rookie power rankings: Russell looking to play with Rondo’s ‘edge’
All-Time #NBArank: Let the countdown begin
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/page/nbarank160120/all-nbarank-91-100
How the N.B.A. 3-point shot went from gimmick to game changer
Development League the Triple A of the NBA
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/20160121_Development_League_the_Triple_A_of_the_NBA.html
Family Business: NBA just small part of Gasol brothers
http://www.si.com/nba/2016/01/20/pau-gasol-marc-gasol-bulls-grizzlies-lakers-spain-kobe-bryant#
FORBES:
The business of basketball
LeBron leads the NBA’s highest paid players
The NBA’s best and worst billionaire owners
The NBA’s best and worst GMs: Wins vs. Payroll
The NBA’s least engaged fans
76ERS:
Okafor leads Sixers past Magic
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/20160121_Sixers_beat_Magic_for_sixth_win_of_season.html
Okafor proving he’s built for grind
http://www.nba.com/2016/news/features/scott_howard_cooper/01/20/2015-16-rookie-ladder-week-13/
Orlando homecoming for Ish Smith
http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/sports/sixers/Orlando-homecoming-for-Ish-Smith.html
BUCKS:
Defense back in vogue for Bucks
http://www.jsonline.com/sports/bucks/defense-back-in-vogue-for-bucks-b99655111z1-366006911.html
BULLS:
Curry, Warriors embarrass Bulls in measuring stick game
http://www.csnchicago.com/bulls/curry-warriors-embarrass-bulls-measuring-stick-game
Jimmy Butler among the NBA’s best selling jerseys
http://chicago.suntimes.com/basketball/7/71/1265060/jimmy-butler-among-nbas-best-selling-jerseys
Jalen Rose says Derrick Rose takes a backseat to Jimmy Butler
Curry, Westbrook dominance make Derrick Rose’s futility tough to swallow
http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/7/71/1265417/stephen-curry-russell-westbrook-derrick-rose
Taj Gibson: ‘It’s been a rough week’
Every game was ‘like a playoff game’ to 72-win Bulls
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14605476/chicago-bulls-reflect-72-10-1995-96-season
CAVALIERS:
Cavs bounce back from worst loss, cruise past Brooklyn Nets, 91-78
Cavs use ‘sharp practice’ to regroup after loss to Warriors
LeBron James has had his share of memorable moments vs. Nets
Even in improved East, Cavs remain tops in the class
James, Warner Bros. working on comedy series about washed-up QBs turned broadcasters
LeBron NBA’s highest-earning player; Cavs 12th most valuable franchise according to Forbes
Blatt on J.R. Smith’s late arrival prior to Warriors game: ‘It’s been addressed internally’
CELTICS:
Celtics lose to red-hot shooting Raptors, 115-109
http://www.csnne.com/boston-celtics/celtics-lose-red-hot-shooting-raptors-115-109
Better bench play not enough to get win vs. Raptors
http://www.csnne.com/boston-celtics/better-bench-play-not-enough-get-win-vs-raptors
Celtics taking more foul shots in losses than in wins
https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2016/01/20/cnotes/wPM99nB1cnQTWUVvU75JbN/story.html
Starting Sullinger is a winning proposition for Celtics
Amir Johnson’s leadership roots blossomed in Toronto
CLIPPERS:
J.J. Redick raises his game while giving Clippers foes the runaround
http://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/la-sp-redick-clippers-20160121-story.html
Clippers need to regroup on defense after recent lapse
http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20160120/la-clippers-need-to-regroup-on-defense-after-recent-lapse
GRIZZLIES:
Griz take win streak, concerns on road
Courtney Lee treats Griz, FedEx Forum employees to Chipotle lunch
HAWKS:
Five observations from Hawks’ 104-98 win over Trail Blazers
7 questions with Hawks’ Nzinga Shaw: We are a better franchise today
http://www.myajc.com/news/sports/7-questions-with-hawks-nzinga-shaw-we-are-a-better/np8fX/
Inconsistent Hawks showing only glimpses of last year’s form
http://www.myajc.com/news/sports/inconsistent-hawks-showing-only-glimpses-last-year/np6wx/
HEAT:
Heat routed by Wizards 106-87 as injury woes continue
http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nba/miami-heat/article55768165.html
Hassan Whiteside latest to join Heat’s growing injury list
http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nba/miami-heat/article55752645.html
Heat is NBA’s 10th most valuable franchise at $1.1 billion
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/heat-blog/sfl-miami-heat-nba-forbes-s012016-story.html
Heat players fall out of NBA jersey rankings
Collins, Van Gundy, NBA scout opine on Heat at halfway point
HORNETS:
Durant’s 26 points lead Thunder past Hornets
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nba/charlotte-hornets/article55763915.html
A few small tweaks transformed Kemba Walker into a totally different player
JAZZ:
Jazz cough up lead, lose second straight game in overtime
http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3441444-155/jazz-cough-up-lead-lose-second
Derrick Favors, Dante Exum doing more each day
http://www.sltrib.com/blogs/jazznotes/3441208-155/derrick-favors-dante-exum-doing-more
Has Dennis Lindsey been good for Jazz?
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865645786/Upstill-Has-Dennis-Lindsey-been-good-for-Jazz.html
KINGS:
Cousins leads way as Kings complete LA sweep
http://www.csnbayarea.com/kings/instant-replay-cousins-leads-way-kings-complete-la-sweep
Ben McLemore looks to continue free, aggressive play
Opportunity knocks
http://www.csnbayarea.com/kings/gameday-chance-gain-ground-vs-dead-last-lakers
Advanced metrics say Karl pushing wrong buttons for Kings
http://www.csnbayarea.com/kings/advanced-metrics-suggest-karl-pushing-wrong-buttons-kings
KNICKS:
Williams, Anthony bail out Porzingis in Knicks’ OT win
http://nypost.com/2016/01/20/williams-anthony-bail-out-porzingis-in-knicks-ot-win/
Fisher envisions Anthony as point forward
Melo passes Bird on NBA scoring list
One peek at Porzingis’ fame shows why he’s All-Star worthy
http://nypost.com/2016/01/20/why-kristaps-porzingis-should-get-spot-on-all-star-team/
The latest proof everyone loves Kristaps Porzingis
http://nypost.com/2016/01/20/kristaps-porzingis-is-nbas-4th-most-popular-player/
$3 billion Knicks top Forbes list of most valuable NBA teams
LAKERS:
Lakers lose fourth straight, this time to the Kings, 112-93
Bryant recalls Michael Jordan as final All-Star game honor approaches
Lakers’ D’Angelo Russell needs to hit the weight room
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-sp-lakers-report-20160121-story.html
MAGIC:
Magic’s slump worsens with 96-87 loss to the lowly Sixers
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/os-magic-76ers-game-0121-20160120-story.html
Skiles keeps starting lineup for Magic’s game vs. 76ers
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/os-orlando-magic-news-0121-20160120-story.html
Orlando Magic youth fund passes out $1 million for at-risk kids
Magic need to look to their recent past to end their slump
Fournier: ‘Have to get the job done’
http://www.nba.com/magic/news/fournier-have-get-job-done
MAVERICKS:
With no Nowitzki, Parsons delivered his best performance of the season
Nowitzki, Powell, Matthews all candidates to participate in the NBA’s All-Star weekend
Mavs’ start to the season graded higher than every West but OKC, Spurs, and Warriors
Nowitzki has swelling in his knee, to miss at least one game
Forbes ranks Dallas Mavericks 9th most valuable NBA team at $1.4 billion
http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nba/dallas-mavericks/article55608315.html
Cuban bashes ‘hypocritical’ politicians; talks up ‘bright’ future of fantasy sports at convention
Parsons beginning to look like former self
Zaza Pachulia faces another challenge in Karl Anthony Towns
NETS:
Motivated Cavs simply wear down Nets
http://www.newsday.com/sports/basketball/nets/motivated-cavaliers-simply-wear-down-nets-1.11347233
NUGGETS:
Nuggets rank 21st on Forbes list of most valuable NBA teams
http://blogs.denverpost.com/nuggets/2016/01/20/nuggets-rank-21st-on-forbes-list-nba-teams/13696/
PACERS:
How bowling helped the Pacers beat the Suns
http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nba/pacers/2016/01/19/pacers-hang-beat-suns/78754972/
Pacers’ Lavoy Allen makes Indy a little bit better
Grading the Pacers at midseason point
PELICANS:
Pelicans expected to extend 10-day contract to guard Bryce Dejean-Jones
Pelicans hoping to get through second half of season with less injuries
Tom and Gayle Benson ‘extremely hurt’ by former assistant’s ‘ridiculous’ allegations
http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2016/01/tom_and_gayle_benson_extremely.html#incart_river_index
Pelicans the NBA’s least valued franchise on Forbes list
http://www.nola.com/pelicans/index.ssf/2016/01/new_orleans_pelicans_are_nbas.html#incart_river_index
Pelicans’ Gordon has surgery, out 4-6 weeks
PISTONS:
Pistons persevere past Hack-a-Dre
http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2016/01/20/detroit-pistons-houston-rockets/79046358/
Drummond sets mark with 23 missed free throws
http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=400828522
What Pistons must do to take the next step
Forbes: Pistons worth $850 million, No.22 in NBA
http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2016/01/20/detroit-pistons-tom-gores/79066656/
RAPTORS:
Raptors top Celtics, win sixth straight
http://www.torontosun.com/2016/01/20/unpredictable-raptors-top-celtics-win-sixth-straight
Lowry and DeRozan’s friendship makes Raptors stronger
http://www.torontosun.com/2016/01/20/lowry-and-derozans-friendship-makes-raptors-stronger
Dwight Howard going for 11th consecutive double-double
ROCKETS:
Pistons overcome Rockets’ foul tactics, Harden’s triple-double
Howard exits game vs. Pistons after hard foul
http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2016/01/dwight-howard-exits-game-vs-pistons-after-hard-foul/
With Beverley sidelined, Lawson starts at point guard
SPURS:
Spurs to hold out Parker (hip) against Phoenix
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14615091/san-antonio-spurs-hold-tony-parker-phoenix
Life no sweat for Spurs’ Mr. Coffee
http://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/Life-no-sweat-for-Spurs-Mr-Coffee-6772158.php
Aldridge surprises at defensive end
SUNS:
Suns rookie Booker plays like ‘Rising Star’
THUNDER:
Singler returns from purgatory in win over Hornets
http://newsok.com/tramel-kyle-singler-returns-from-purgatory-in-win-over-hornets/article/5473848
Westbrook continues assist binge in win over the Hornets
http://newsok.com/russell-westbrook-continues-assist-binge-in-win-over-the-hornets/article/5473849
Durant, Westbrook rise among NBA’s most popular jerseys
TIMBERWOLVES:
Timberwolves fall to Dallas in OT despite Towns’ career game
How Karl-Anthony Towns ranks vs. NBA greats in their rookie season
Towns, Davis take different game on similar paths
http://www.startribune.com/wolves-notes-towns-davis-take-different-games-on-similar-paths/365861441/
TRAIL BLAZERS:
Blazers’ playoff standing is brief after Hawks close out 104-98 win
Small-school stars Damian Lillard, C.J. McCollum make up a big-time backcourt
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14606229/nba-damian-lillard-cj-mccollum-becoming-elite-backcourt
C.J. McCollum is ready for his close-up
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14604295/nba-cj-mccollum-dual-threat-court-media
WARRIORS:
Warriors win meeting of MVP point guards
http://www.sfchronicle.com/warriors/article/Warriors-win-meeting-of-MVP-point-guards-6773258.php
‘Chip back on our shoulder’
http://www.csnbayarea.com/warriors/rewind-refocused-warriors-have-chip-back-our-shoulder
Looking the part
http://www.csnchicago.com/bulls/house-jordan-built-warriors-look-capable-hitting-bulls-72-win-mark
Chase or record season tricky for Warriors
Curry, Warriors atop NBA in merchandise sales
The delightful arrogance of the Golden State Warriors
http://www.csnchicago.com/bulls/delightful-arrogance-golden-state-warriors
WIZARDS:
Wizards smoke Heat 106-87
Alan Anderson: ‘I’m getting closer to playing’
Wizards miss chance at more rest for 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.