PHILOSOPHICAL QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“Try not to become a person of success, but rather try to become a person of value.”
-Albert Einstein
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NBA:
Report: NBA clarifies intentional foul rule in memo
Lowe: The fifth annual Luke Walton All-Stars
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14743788/who-nba-players-found-suddenly-relevant
Predicting the biggest trades in East
http://espn.go.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/14733765/5-5-experts-trade-deadline-eastern-conference-nba
Trades may come down to the wire
http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nba-am-trades-may-come-down-to-the-wire/
Who’s going in deadline deals?
Every All-Star’s most mind-numbing stat
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2614980-every-2016-nba-all-stars-most-mind-numbing-stat
The ‘stop doing that’ NBA All-Stars
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2615083-the-stop-doing-that-nba-all-stars
Former Bucks center Larry Sanders planning return to NBA
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2615256-larry-sanders-comments-on-potential-return-to-nba
Veteran announcer Albert gets TNT extension
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14746935/marv-albert-gets-contract-extension-call-nba-tnt
Do players like schedule change?
http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nba-pm-assessing-the-schedule-change/
Kobe: Doing away with ‘hack-a-player’ would set ‘horrible example’
SI’s 50 greatest players in NBA history
http://www.si.com/nba/2016/02/09/michael-jordan-lebron-james-stephen-curry-nba-greatest
How the 2015 flurry of point guard trades went down
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14744714/how-2015-point-guard-trades-went-down
Scott Brooks discusses his firing
http://newsok.com/former-coach-scott-brooks-discusses-his-firing-with-the-vertical/article/5477769
NBA DRAFT:
Prospect vs. player: Kristaps Porzingis or Brandon Ingram?
76ERS:
Sixers’ Okafor has to learn the hard way
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/20160210_Okafor_has_to_learn_the_hard_way.html
Rivers preaches patience for 76ers
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/20160210_Rivers_preaches_more_patience_for_Brown.html
For the Sixers, moral victories count
http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/pattisonave/For-the-Sixers-there-are-moral-victories.html
BUCKS:
Lineup shuffle helps Bucks end five-game skid
http://www.jsonline.com/sports/bucks/bucks-vs-celtics-b99666769z1-368252161.html
Kidd shakes up lineup in a major way: MCW, Monroe off bench
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/368248351.html
BULLS:
Bulls’ Butler out 3-4 weeks, to sit All-Star game
Gasol with replace Butler in the All-Star game
http://www.si.com/nba/2016/02/09/bulls-pau-gasol-jimmy-butler-all-star-game
Taj Gibson: Bulls lacking defensive ‘hungry dogs’ from years past
Gibson says it’s a good thing the Bulls are in the Eastern Conference
http://chicago.suntimes.com/category/7/71/sports/basketball/bulls-basketball/
Bulls missing a ‘lieutenant’ to lead this team
http://www.csnchicago.com/bulls/bulls-missing-something-or-someone-pull-them-above-water
Pau Gasol gets it, so when will Bulls management?
CAVALIERS:
LeBron ‘emotional’ watching Kobe, eyes matchup
How Lue can coach LeBron based on his history with Bryant, Jordan
Lue’s practice fighting story of Bryant highlights his competitive nature, same as LeBron
Cavs show buy-in with attention to detail approach
Pau Gasol, not Kevin Love, chosen to replace Jimmy Butler in 2016 All-Star game
How bright will James’ star shine in NBA’s showcase?
CELTICS:
Bradley’s foul spoils Celtics big comeback vs. Bucks
http://www.csnne.com/boston-celtics/bradleys-foul-spoils-celtics-big-comeback-vs-bucks
Does hot streak make C’s less aggressive at deadline?
http://www.csnne.com/boston-celtics/td-inbox-does-hot-streak-make-cs-less-aggressive-deadline
Recognized and motivated, Thomas leading C’s to wins
http://www.csnne.com/boston-celtics/recognized-and-motivated-thomas-leading-cs-wins
Zeller raises his benchmark
http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/celtics/2016/02/zeller_raises_his_benchmark
Terry Rozier is keeping tabs on Louisville’s situation
CLIPPERS:
Clippers suspend Griffin four games without pay
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14747917/blake-griffin-suspended-four-games-los-angeles-clippers
Doc Rivers and Paul Pierce prepare for an emotional return to Boston
http://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/la-sp-clippers-report-20160210-story.html
GRIZZLIES:
Gasol could miss remainder of season with broken right foot
http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2016/2/9/10955102/marc-gasol-injury-memphis-grizzlies-broken-foot
Gasol’s injury changes everything for Griz
Jeff Green, Grizzlies bench crawling to the break
Grizzlies still face long odds in West
Grizzlies recall Jarell Martin from Iowa energy
http://www.nba.com/grizzlies/news/martin-recalled-160209
HAWKS:
Latest loss is latest frustration for inconsistent Hawks
Sources: Hawks may break up core at deadline
Four blockbuster trades the Hawks could make
Report: Pacers, Magic pursuing Hawks’ Teague
Hawks might make Horford available at deadline
HEAT:
Whiteside ejected as Heat enters break with deflating loss to Spurs
http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nba/miami-heat/article59467028.html
Winslow hopes to emulate Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard in becoming complete player
http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nba/miami-heat/article59236238.html#storylink=mainstage
Heat to retire Shaq’s No. 32 jersey next season
Retiring Shaq’s number means Pat Riley is at peace with The Big Phony
HORNETS:
Jeremy Lamb is making damn sure he keeps his spot
http://www.sbnation.com/2016/2/9/10949570/jeremy-lamb-charlotte-hornets-profile-feature
JAZZ:
Hayward hits buzzer-beater to down Dallas in overtime
http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3514698-155/utah-jazz-hayward-hits-buzzer-beater-to
Jazz are rising toward the playoffs
http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3518053-155/monson-utah-jazz-are-rising-toward
Raul Neto revisits tough matchup against Deron Williams
http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3519817-155/jazz-notes-raul-neto-revisits-tough
KINGS:
Sources: Kings meet with Karl, won’t fire coach
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14747006/sacramento-kings-retain-george-karl-coach
Divac backs Karl, vows to ‘work together’ to turn around Kings
http://www.sacbee.com/sports/nba/sacramento-kings/kings-blog/article59328143.html
Karl situation shows Kings stuck in perpetual state of confusion
http://www.csnbayarea.com/kings/karl-situation-proves-kings-locked-perpetual-state-confusion
Kings may keep Karl, but that doesn’t solve DeMarcus riddle
KNICKS:
Free-falling Knicks can’t get win for interim coach Kurt Rambis
http://nypost.com/2016/02/09/free-falling-knicks-cant-get-win-for-interim-coach-kurt-rambis/
Jackson’s bizarre rant: Triangle not a must
http://nypost.com/2016/02/09/phil-jacksons-bizarre-rant-triangle-not-a-must/
After firing Derek Fisher, what’s next for Phil Jackson’s Knicks?
If Jackson doesn’t want to coach the Knicks, he ought to let someone else
Derek Fisher actually was overachieving before Knicks fired him
http://www.sportingnews.com/nba-news/4694342-new-york-knicks-underperforming-derek-fisher-fired
In Kurt Rambis, Jackson hopes to find coaching spirit he didn’t find in Fisher
Carmelo committed to Jackson, has no plans to seek trade
Meet the man who engineered Porzingis’ first steps toward stardom
What Porzingis must do to make next step toward greatness
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/kristaps-porzingis–next-step-toward-greatness-192958241.html
Westbrook reportedly will consider signing with Knicks in 2017
LAKERS:
Julius Randle continues on upswing as a starter
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-sp-lakers-report-20160210-story.html
How Kobe Bryant’s relationship with LeBron evolved
http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20160209/how-kobe-bryants-relationship-with-lebron-james-evolved
LeBron shares cool Kobe Bryant story from high school
http://www.sportingnews.com/nba-news/4694327-lebron-james-kobe-bryant-high-school-shoes-cavs-lakers
Despite woes, Lakers’ kids helping Kobe find joy
MAGIC:
Magic need to reveal real selves
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/os-magic-brian-schmitz-0210-20160209-column.html
Mario Hezonja delivers on Scott Skiles’ hunch
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/os-orlando-magic-news-0210-20160209-story.html
Jason Smith having big impact off bench for Magic
http://www.nba.com/magic/news/jason-smith-having-big-impact-bench-magic-20160209
MAVERICKS:
Mavericks recover to force overtime but still fall to Jazz 121-119
‘Not a worse way to go into the break’ for Mavs than overtime loss to Jazz
Which direction the Mavs may go if Chandler Parsons opts out and leaves Dallas
Why it’s not out of the realm of possibility to imagine Carlisle in the Hall of Fame one day
Mavs guard Devin Harris could know return date from injury within the next week
Cuban’s yacht/mini-city docks in Miami
NETS:
Chris McCullough makes long-awaited Nets debut
http://www.basketballinsiders.com/rookie-chris-mccullough-makes-long-awaited-nets-debut/
McCullough, Brown create hope for Nets
NUGGETS:
Nuggets ride upward trend heading into NBA All-Star break
http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_29497143/nuggets-ride-upward-trend
Nuggets owner Stan Kroenke buys largest U.S. ranch
http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_29495953/nuggets-avs-owner-stan-kroenke-buys-largest-u
PACERS:
Mahinmi keeps playing while taking a beating
PELICANS:
Webber says it’s time for Pelicans to put more talent around Anthony Davis
http://www.nola.com/pelicans/index.ssf/2016/02/tnt_analyst_chris_webber_says.html#incart_river_index
PISTONS:
Billups’ Pistons honor is near: ‘Guys trusted me’
KCP to return after break; Dinwiddie has ankle injury
http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2016/02/09/kcp-dinwiddie-detroit-pistons/80077022/
ESPN Stats & Info: Drummond a long shot to make such a long shot
RAPTORS:
Raptors stay focused before All-Star break
http://www.thestar.com/sports/raptors/2016/02/09/raptors-stay-focused-before-all-star-break.html
Raptors getting better at closing out contests
http://www.torontosun.com/2016/02/09/raptors-getting-better-at-closing-out-contests
Casey: No East team can be comfortable
http://www.basketballinsiders.com/raptors-coach-on-2nd-place-rank-no-east-team-can-be-comfortable/
Raptors inching closer to Cavs in crowded Eastern standings
ROCKETS:
Warriors dominate 4th quarter to beat Rockets
Rockets recall Motiejunas, K.J. McDaniels
Rockets’ intentional fouling tactic catches eye of NBA
Howard pushes through up-and-down season with Rockets
McHale: Firing ‘really, really surprised me’
http://www.chron.com/sports/rockets/article/Ex-Rockets-coach-Kevin-McHale-Firing-really-6819126.php
SPURS:
Aldridge makes sure rodeo trip off to good start
7-Point possession helps Spurs trounce Heat
Popovich unsure whether NBA should change intentional foul rules
Jonathon Simmons’ impossible NBA dream coming true
SUNS:
Suns brace for record-chasing Warriors
Suns pull prank on rookie Devin Booker
THUNDER:
Meet OKC’s other All-Star weekend participant, J.P. Tokoto
http://newsok.com/meet-okcs-other-all-star-weekend-participant-j.p.-tokoto/article/5477902
TIMBERWOLVES:
As Wolves hit All-Star break ‘all we got is our young guys’
http://www.startribune.com/wolves-keep-pushing-young-guys/368259591/
TRAIL BLAZERS:
For Trail Blazers, late-game misery has become late-game mastery
WARRIORS:
Warriors take flight, out-slug Rockets
http://www.csnbayarea.com/warriors/instant-replay-warriors-take-flight-out-slug-rockets
Ezeli’s absence forces adjustments for Kerr, Warriors
http://www.csnbayarea.com/warriors/ezeli%E2%80%99s-absence-forces-adjustments-kerr-warriors
Rivers: Curry on pace to finish career Top 5 of All-Time
http://www.csnbayarea.com/warriors/doc-rivers-curry-pace-finish-career-top-5-all-time
Are the Warriors the best three-point shooting team in NBA history?
WIZARDS:
Wall, Beal close out Knicks at MSG 111-108
Inability to close out games almost bites Wizards again
Beal returns to starting lineup against Knicks
Wizards pose as Run DMC for Black History Month
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.