PHILOSOPHICAL QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.”
-Arthur Ashe
================================
NBA:
MVP rankings: Curry has company
Evaluating NBA trade rumors at season’s midway point
Ranking the NBA’s top players older than 30: by the numbers
Tate George sentenced to nine years for fraud
ALL-STAR GAME:
All-Star starters announced
http://hangtime.blogs.nba.com/2016/01/21/all-star-starters-announced/
Top stats to know: Kobe, Curry and LeBron headline All-Star game starters
Surprises, snubs among All-Star starters
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14621898/nba-5-5-experts-break-2015-16-all-star-starting-lineups
NBA DRAFT:
Mock Draft: Ben Simmons still No. 1 pick?
76ERS:
Smith providing spark for Sixers
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/20160122_Ish_Smith_has_been_a_spark_for_the_Sixers.html
76ers getting job done defensively
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/20160122_Sixers_gettting_job_done_defensively.html
BUCKS:
Jason Kidd will return to Bucks’ bench Tuesday night
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/366078101.html
BULLS:
Bulls’ Pau Gasol misses All-Star starting spot by 360 votes
http://www.csnchicago.com/bulls/bulls-pau-gasol-misses-all-star-starting-spot-360-votes
Tough talk from Fred Hoiberg, as ‘The Mayor’ wants his players accountable
Derrick Rose has fared well vs. NBA’s top point guards
http://chicago.suntimes.com/basketball/7/71/1269016/derrick-rose-fared-well-vs-nbas-top-point-guards
Bulls shut out from All-Star starters
Struggling Nikola Mirotic admits confidence down
CAVALIERS:
Cavs knock off Clippers, 115-102
Cavs proving they’re among NBA’s elite
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2610023-cleveland-cavaliers-proving-theyre-among-nbas-elite
LeBron James to start for the East in the 65th NBA All-Star game
LeBron James is so luminous, yet so trapped by the public’s glare
CELTICS:
The Brooklyn pick
http://www.csnne.com/boston-celtics/five-possibilities-for-celtics-brooklyn-pick-gallery
Thomas’ All-Star fate rests in hands of coaches
http://www.csnne.com/boston-celtics/thomas-all-star-fate-rests-hands-coaches
Celtics may look for more out of Jerebko
http://www.csnne.com/boston-celtics/celtics-may-look-for-more-out-of-jonas-jerebko
Celtics have wiggle room in jumbled East
Celtics taking more foul shots in losses than in wins
https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2016/01/20/cnotes/wPM99nB1cnQTWUVvU75JbN/story.html
CLIPPERS:
The Clippers’ defense is the culprit in a 115-102 loss to the Cavs
http://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/la-sp-cn-clippers-cleveland-cavaliers-20160121-story.html
Clippers consider altering weekend travel plans to avoid Winter Storm Jonas
http://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/la-sp-clippers-report-20160122-story.html
Griffin won’t play in the Clippers’ next two games
GRIZZLIES:
Griz escape Denver with 102-101 victory
Ryan Hollins back for third go-around with Griz
HAWKS:
Millsap finishes 15th in All-Star voting
http://www.myajc.com/news/sports/basketball/millsap-finishes-15th-in-all-star-voting/np9Mx/
Two incorrect non-calls in Hawks win over Trail Blazers
How Hardaway Jr. earned his way into Hawks’ rotation
Hawks co-owner Hill: Racial healing in Atlanta has started
HEAT:
Dwyane Wade confirmed to start 10th All-Star game
http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nba/miami-heat/article55947495.html#storylink=mainstage
Shaq says Bosh deserves All-Star; Barkley says Whiteside not close
Healthy bodies a minority for ravaged Heat; Dragic, Whiteside out
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/sfl-miami-heat-chris-bosh-s012116-story.html
JAZZ:
Utah Jazz get in an empire state of mind
http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3445696-155/utah-jazz-get-in-an-empire
Is it desperation time for Jazz after latest loss drops them out of postseason picture?
KINGS:
Kings edge Hawks for fourth-straight victory
http://www.csnbayarea.com/kings/instant-replay-kings-edge-hawks-fourth-straight-victory
Rajon Rondo has the Kings in the playoff discussion
http://www.sacbee.com/sports/nba/sacramento-kings/article55993190.html
Kings’ Rudy Gay misses game because of heel injury
http://www.sacbee.com/sports/nba/sacramento-kings/kings-blog/article55996620.html
KNICKS:
How Carmelo Anthony turned makeover into All-Star nod
http://nypost.com/2016/01/21/how-carmelo-anthony-turned-makeover-into-all-star-nod/
Phil Jackson in review: How $60M is paying off for Knicks
http://nypost.com/2016/01/21/phil-jackson-in-review-how-60m-is-paying-off-for-knicks/
Time to give Derek Fisher credit for Carmelo revival
http://nypost.com/2016/01/21/time-to-give-derek-fisher-credit-for-carmelo-anthonys-revival/
Tony Wroten? Jimmer Fredette? Knicks cool on 10-day deal
http://nypost.com/2016/01/21/tony-wroten-jimmer-fredette-knicks-cool-on-10-day-deal/
Unselfish Melo not manufactured storyline, numbers don’t lie
LAKERS:
Kobe Bryant is selected as an All-Star for the 18th time
http://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn-nba-all-stars-20160121-story.html
Remembering the night Kobe Bryant scored 81 points
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-sp-kobe-81-point-game-20160122-story.html
MAGIC:
Magic GM Rob Hennigan answers questions about slumping team
Victor Oladipo might return from injury and play against Charlotte
Magic ‘more than likely’ will change their lineup, Skiles says
Gordon staying patient as he continues the development process
http://www.nba.com/magic/news/gordon-staying-patient-he-continues-development-process
Time for a trade in Orlando?
http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nba-pm-time-for-a-trade-in-orlando/
MAVERICKS:
How J.J. Barea’s pesky play is helping turn Mavericks vs. Thunder into a bonafide rivalry
Zaza Pachulia nearly was an All-Star starter
Mavs look to sweep homestand; OKC streaking since tension-filled win over Dallas
Nowitzki questionable for game with Thunder on Friday
http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-mavericks/mavericks/2016/01/21/nowitzki-questionable-okc?f=r
What the current Mavs roster lacks to be considered a title contender
J.J. Barea launching men’s clothing collection in conjunction with Dallas boutique
NETS:
Larkin staying upbeat amid Nets’ lost season
NUGGETS:
Nuggets fall to hot shooting Grizzlies at home
http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_29416993/nuggets-fall-hot-shooting-grizzlies-at-home
Nuggets are top 10 in most fans lost in last decade, per survey
Emmanuel Mudiay adds more aggressiveness to his game
http://blogs.denverpost.com/nuggets/2016/01/21/emmanuel-mudiay-nuggets-2/13701/
Gallinari cooking as all-star candidate
Will Barton channels chaos in breakout season
http://www.si.com/nba/2016/01/21/fundamentals-will-barton-nuggets-trail-blazers-memphis-mike-malone
PACERS:
Pacers’ Paul George named All-Star starter
The reason Pacers George Hill’s been absent
C.J. Miles’ willingness to sacrifice benefits Pacers
PELICANS:
Pelicans rout Pistons, 115-99, behind Davis’ 32 points
http://www.nola.com/pelicans/index.ssf/2016/01/new_orleans_pelicans_44.html#incart_river_index
Tyreke Evans says Pelicans are in a desperate push to get back into playoff contention
Jrue Holiday will continue coming off bench with Eric Gordon sidelined
Davis won’t return as starter for NBA All-Star game
PISTONS:
Big loss leaves Pistons crying out for leadership
Van Gundy rips Pistons, calls effort ‘deplorable’
Drummond, Green fall in NBA All-Star vote
Pistons deal with fallout from Rockets’ Hack-a-Dre
http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2016/01/21/detroit-pistons-andre-drummond/79149476/
RAPTORS:
Lowry an NBA all-star game starter for second straight year
ROCKETS:
Howard leaves biggest hole on Rockets’ injury-riddled roster
A positive step for Rockets guard Ty Lawson
http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2016/01/a-positive-step-for-ty-lawson/
One on one with Bickerstaff
http://www.basketballinsiders.com/j-b-bickerstaff-on-interim-challenges-and-incremental-improvement/
Morey: Front office, coach talk foul strategy
SPURS:
Spurs handle slumping Suns for 12th straight win
After slow start, Aldridge finding comfort with Spurs
http://www.nba.com/2016/news/features/shaun_powell/01/21/spurs-aldridge-getting-comfortable/
Late push makes Spurs’ Leonard All-Star starter
SUNS:
Undermanned Suns succumb to Spurs in blowout fashion
Reggie Miller backs Hornacek’s Suns work
What can the Suns get for Markieff Morris?
http://espn.go.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/14613440/phoenix-suns-top-trade-targets-assets-nba
THUNDER:
Durant, Westbrook voted Western Conference starters
Westbrook’s rise affirmed in NBA All-Star game starting nod
http://newsok.com/russell-westbooks-rise-affirmed-in-nba-all-star-game-starting-nod/article/5474000
TIMBERWOLVES:
Time mismanagement, misses irk Wolves forward Muhammad
http://www.startribune.com/time-mismanagement-misses-irk-wolves-forward-muhammad/366151211/
TRAIL BLAZERS:
Trail Blazers ‘getting back to some basics’ during long homestand
Lillard deserving of All-Star bid?
http://www.csnnw.com/blazers/roundtable-do-you-think-lillard-deserves-be-all-star-team
WARRIORS:
Warriors’ Curry named All-Star starter; Green must wait
http://www.sfchronicle.com/warriors/article/Warriors-Curry-named-All-Star-starter-Green-6775533.php
Curry, Green react to NBA All-Star starting lineup results
http://www.csnbayarea.com/warriors/curry-green-react-nba-all-star-starting-lineup-results-0
WIZARDS:
NBA All-Star game won’t feature Wall as starter for East
Temple’s fantastic voyage
http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nba-am-garrett-temples-fantastic-voyage/
Wizards’ midseason report: Reasons for optimism
Nene and Gortat started together Wednesday. Will it happen again?
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.