PHILOSOPHICAL QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“A friend is someone who knows all about you and still loves you.”
-Elbert Hubbard
================================
NBA:
Week in review 1/31
http://www.basketballinsiders.com/basketball-insiders-week-in-review-131/
‘And now for something completely different’ awards: 2016 NBA All-Star edition
6 D-League prospects who actually could help your NBA team
NBA players reveal who are the best and worst referees
http://national.suntimes.com/national-sports/7/72/2524663/nba-players-reveal-best-worst-referees
ESPN is now lighting up the three-point line during NBA games
http://www.theverge.com/2016/1/31/10879680/espn-red-three-point-line-virtual-3-technology
NBA’s 70 for 70: Facts from January throughout league history
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2016/01/31/nba-70-for-70-january-facts/79299992/
Out of the NBA, Tyrus Thomas back in basketball for all the right reasons
NBA legend trash talks the No. 1 recruit in the country
2016 NBA draft prospect watch: Saturday’s risers/fallers
76ERS:
Games like this are part of The Process, too
Coach, 76ers slowly escaping dark days
http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/celtics/2016/01/coach_76ers_slowly_escaping_dark_days
Trade targets, assets: Which Sixers have the most trade value?
http://espn.go.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/14682540/philadelphia-76ers-top-trade-targets-assets-nba
BUCKS:
Despite surgery, Vasquez hoping to return
BULLS:
Lack of toughness and discipline again comes to the forefront as Bulls lose to the Clippers
Bulls burned from deep in blowout loss to Clippers
http://www.csnchicago.com/bulls/bulls-burned-deep-blowout-loss-clippers
Doc Rivers feels that Jimmy Butler’s stardom has to do with that Marquette bloodline
Rose and Butler thrive despite the Bulls mediocrity
http://chicago.suntimes.com/basketball/7/71/1292239/rose-butler-thrive-despite-bulls-mediocrity
Pau Gasol has new agent as he prepares to enter free agency
Bulls treating Mike Dunleavy return as a trade acquisition
http://www.csnchicago.com/bulls/bulls-treating-mike-dunleavy-return-trade-acquisition
Three trades that would help the Bulls
http://espn.go.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/14631749/chicago-bulls-top-trade-targets-assets-nba
CAVALIERS:
How Tyronn Lue’s communication skills have put the Cavaliers back on track
LeBron told us everything we needed to know about what happened: Cavs, Lue, and Blatt
LeBron turns up the volume on praise of Coach Lue
CELTICS:
C’s five-game win streak snapped after 119-114 loss
http://www.csnne.com/boston-celtics/cs-five-game-win-streak-snapped-after-119-114-loss
‘Porous’ Celtics defense in fourth
http://www.csnne.com/boston-celtics/stars-studs-and-duds-porous-celtics-defense-fourth
Turner: ‘I’m out $5,000’ because a ‘horrible call’
http://www.csnne.com/boston-celtics/turner-i-m-out-5000-horrible-call-0
Avery Bradley’s kind gesture appreciated
Celtics’ Kelly Olynyk aims for the 3-point shooting contest
CLIPPERS:
Clippers beat Bulls, 120-93, for fourth consecutive victory
Clippers beat Bulls, now 15-3 without Blake Griffin
Clippers’ Lance Stephenson picks up his game with Paul Pierce resting
http://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/la-sp-clippers-report-20160131-story.html
Clippers’ Blake Griffin will have more time to recover from quadriceps injury
http://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/la-sp-clippers-report-20160201-story.html
Blake Griffin could be traded to one of these four Western Conference teams
GRIZZLIES:
Grizzlies take Pelicans on Monday night
HAWKS:
Five observations on the Hawks’ 105-87 loss to the Heat
Hawks-Heat report card
http://www.myajc.com/news/sports/basketball/hawks-heat-report-card/nqGfP/
Millsap to start versus Heat
http://www.myajc.com/news/sports/basketball/millsap-to-start-versus-heat/nqGbg/
Schroder takes leadership torch from Nowitzki, for Germany
http://www.myajc.com/news/sports/basketball/schroder-takes-leadership-torch-nowitzki-germany/nqGZZ/
Budenholzer says offense has been issue during Hawks’ slump
5 teams that should trade for Al Horford
https://hoopshabit.com/2016/01/31/nba-trade-rumors-5-teams-trade-al-horford/
HEAT:
Heat winning streak finally reaches four, with 105-87 rout of Hawks
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/sfl-miami-heat-atlanta-hawks-s013116-story.html
Dwyane Wade scores 17 to pull into tie for 42nd in career scoring
Heat players glad travel-heavy January is behind them
http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nba/miami-heat/article57658533.html
Will Spoelstra have to whittle down his rotation?
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/sfl-askira-story.html
As Heat find form, is Whiteside losing his role?
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/fl-hyde-heat-column-0201-20160131-column.html
Heat injury timetable remains uncertain with Whiteside, Tyler Johnson
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/sfl-miami-heat-hassan-whiteside-s013116-story.html
HORNETS:
Hornets send Lakers to record-tying 10th loss in row, 101-82
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/article57673183.html
Everything NBA broadcasters have said about Jeremy Lin’s hair this season
http://deadspin.com/everything-nba-broadcasters-have-said-about-jeremy-lins-1756257317
Buddy tale: How Charlotte’s two major pro coaches support each other
JAZZ:
Utah looking for first three-game win streak of season
http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3483398-155/jazz-notes-utah-looking-for-first
Elusive winning streak on line for Jazz with Bulls in town
Gordon Hayward turning in career season while carrying the load
http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3483313-155/utah-jazz-gordon-hayward-turning-in
Twenty years ago: Malone finally gets triple-double
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765684020/Twenty-years-ago-Malone-finally-gets-triple-double.html
KINGS:
Kings vs. Bucks at a glance
http://www.sacbee.com/sports/nba/sacramento-kings/article57651643.html
Kings cannot afford to have many more games ‘stolen’ from them this season
http://www.sacbee.com/sports/nba/sacramento-kings/article57649113.html
Kings’ miscues in latest loss feed into larger issues
http://www.csnbayarea.com/kings/rewind-kings-miscues-latest-loss-feed-larger-issues
KNICKS:
Knicks let down Carmelo, Curry lets down fans in hyped bummer
http://nypost.com/2016/01/31/knicks-let-down-carmelo-curry-lets-down-fans-in-hyped-bummer/
Curry has off night but Warriors still rout Knicks behind Draymond Green, Klay Thompson
Knicks lose and find out why Warriors are class of NBA
Why out-of-nowhere Warriors powerhouse should inspire Knicks
http://nypost.com/2016/01/31/why-out-of-nowhere-warriors-powerhouse-should-inspire-knicks/
LAKERS:
Lakers’ losing streak extended to 10 games by Hornets
Lakers draw boos against Hornets after tying franchise record for most consecutive losses
Lakers’ D’Angelo Russell is lost, and Byron Scott isn’t helping
Tarik Black helps the D-Fenders improve to 15-14
Trade targets for Lakers if they can’t get DeMarcus Cousins?
http://espn.go.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/14647025/los-angeles-lakers-top-trade-targets-assets-nba
MAGIC:
Magic beat Celtics 119-114 to snap 8-game losing streak
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/os-magic-celtics-game-0201-20160131-story.html
Aaron Gordon, Mario Hezonja had big games as the Magic beat the Celtics
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/os-orlando-magic-news-0201-20160131-story.html
Even with victory, Magic need to change current path
Skiles holding himself accountable for team’s recent struggles
http://www.nba.com/magic/news/skiles-holding-himself-accountable-team
MAVERICKS:
Mavericks begin brutal stretch of five games in seven nights
http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nba/dallas-mavericks/article57662778.html
Mavs ready to come out ‘guns blazing’ after January gauntlet with different challenges
Cuban claims doesn’t know when trade deadline is: ‘There’s nothing really that’s tempting us’
What Mavericks resting him on back-to-back games means for Dirk Nowitzki
Does Nowitzki want to go to the All-Star game? Based off this Cuban anecdote, probably not
NETS:
Joe Johnson’s shot at being Nets’ hero bounces away
NUGGETS:
Jusuf Nurkic’s hard work paying off as 7-footer sees more minutes
http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_29457297/jusuf-nurkics-hard-work-paying-off-7-footer
PACERS:
Pacers frontcourt will be tested by Cavaliers
George Hill returns to the basics, cuts his blond hair
PELICANS:
Anthony Davis says he will participate in skills challenge event during NBA All-Star Weekend
Bryce Dejean-Jones expected to get second 10-day contract from Pelicans on Monday
Pelicans knocking on the door of Western Conference playoff picture
PISTONS:
Pistons buyers at deadline? Better wait on forward
http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2016/01/31/detroit-pistons-trade-deadline/79599848/
Pistons’ Jennings still adjusting to bench role
RAPTORS:
Raptors revelling in some beautiful chemistry
http://www.thestar.com/sports/raptors/2016/01/31/raptors-revelling-in-some-beautiful-chemistry.html
Lowry and DeRozan’s plan of success is working
http://www.torontosun.com/2016/01/31/lowry-and-derozans-plan-of-success-is-working
Five reason the Raptors will win a playoff series
http://www.torontosun.com/2016/01/31/five-reason-the-raptors-will-win-a-playoff-series
These are not the same old, unreliable Raptors and 3 other things we learned
http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2016/1/31/10877674/2016-nba-scores-raptors-pistons-spurs-cavaliers
ROCKETS:
Rockets’ Howard seeks relief from rocky season
Rockets take day off to regroup after busy week
http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2016/01/rockets-take-day-off-to-regroup-after-busy-week/
Rockets players appreciative of J.B. Bickerstaff calling out officials
NBA: No-call at end of Saturday’s Rockets-Wizards game was right
Rockets want four of Dwight Howard’s latest techs rescinded
SPURS:
With a Duncan-sized hole, Spurs’ defense struggles
http://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/With-a-Duncan-sized-hole-Spurs-defense-6797106.php
Pop gives Simmons trial by fire
http://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/Pop-gives-Simmons-trial-by-fire-6797090.php
Spurs to sit Tim Duncan for fourth straight game Monday against Magic
http://www.sportingnews.com/nba-news/4693270-tim-duncan-injury-san-antonio-spurs-nba
SUNS:
Suns wilt down the stretch in loss to Mavericks
Suns guards likely out through All-Star break
Suns, Mavs close series after parting ways
THUNDER:
How the Wizards have weakened in the Kevin Durant free agency race
http://newsok.com/how-the-wizards-have-weakened-in-the-kevin-durant-free-agency-race/article/5475948
Cameron Payne (concussion) might return on Monday against the Wizards
‘Big possibility’ Russell Westbrook follows Kevin Durant to Lakers, says Stephen A. Smith
TIMBERWOLVES:
Timberwolves fall to Trail Blazers for 11th straight road loss
http://www.twincities.com/2016/01/31/timberwolves-fall-to-trail-blazers-for-11th-straight-road-loss/
Andrew Wiggins vs. Karl-Anthony Towns — in video games
TRAIL BLAZERS:
Trail Blazers beat Timberwolves, 96-93, stretch winning streak to 4 games
McCollum, Lillard Lead Blazers Past Timberwolves 96-93
Portland to make moves before NBA trade deadline?
WARRIORS:
Even on Curry’s off day, Warriors have field day
Turning point: Kerr’s tirade in second quarter vs Knicks
http://www.csnbayarea.com/warriors/turning-point-kerrs-tirade-second-quarter-vs-knicks-0
Iguodala returns to Warriors’ rotation Sunday vs. New York
http://www.sfchronicle.com/warriors/article/Iguodala-returns-to-Warriors-rotation-Sunday-6797155.php
Warriors’ dizzying ball-movement makes more history
http://nypost.com/2016/01/31/warriors-dizzying-ball-movement-makes-more-history/
Warriors’ Draymond Green concedes to mistake
http://www.sfchronicle.com/warriors/article/Warriors-Draymond-Green-concedes-to-mistake-6797253.php
Warriors’ league of their own needs time: Four months
Can anyone beat the Warriors?
http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2016/1/31/10878604/warriors-unbeatable-stephen-curry-sunday-shootaround
WIZARDS:
Randy Wittman to miss next two Wizards games after brother’s death
Wizards look less likely to land Kevin Durant, but they aren’t ready to move to Plan B
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 daily NBA content service at www.allball365.com.