The NBA Dribbled Out

Links are back.

-Kirk Goldsberry tells us about the “Kobe Assist.” Warning on this one: there is mention of the butterfly effect from basketball’s fluidity, which is a really fun idea (all chaos theory is), but it was ruined by Ashton Kutcher.

-Zach Lowe on the Hawks and the Heat’s defense.

-Should the Lakers pick up trade for Ryan Anderson?

-I guess the new CBA tax is already threatening the Heat. Ian Thomsen can do better. 

-Tvzi Twersky on Jrue Holiday.

-Ben Detrick, former Rochesterian, went to the Knicks-Heat game everybody is freaking out about in the city right now.

-Rare Larry Bird pics via SI Vault

-Michael Beasley is already wearing out his welcome in Phoenix. Those long two’s are killer, and he’s got the worst plus/minus in the league (h/t BDL). 

-Howard Beck on the floptastic Nets.

-Kevin Durant wants to join the 50/40/90 club (50% from the floor/40% from 3/90% from the line). So far this year, he’s shooting .514 from the field, .455 from behind the arc, and .901 from the free throw line. So he’s there now, but can he keep it up throughout the year? My guess is no. He’s too much of a focal point; although, Nash and Jose Calderone have done it. 

-The Lakers shouldn’t trade Pau Gasol (trigger warning: I wrote this, so you can skip it if you want). 

-Is Dwyane Wade having a slow start or should Heat fans be worried it’s something bigger?

-Kobe breaks down Dwight’s free throw shooting problems. 

-Did you know Damon Stoudemire once shot 6/25 from the field with the Blazers and still had a triple-double (h/t redditor: athiestshamthiest)

-Holly MacKenzie writes that it might be time to break up with Andrea Bargnani.

-The Wizards still don’t know when John Wall will return.

-Gordon Munson, of the Salt Lake Tribune, wants to know what’s wrong with Paul Millsap?

-Hall of Famers who wore number 33; it ain’t just Bird & Patrick.

-Jimmer wants a bigger role.

-Damian Lillard on earning respect in the league as a rookie. 

-Austin Rivers is struggling to overcome shooting problems in NOLA.

-Doesn’t every NBA head coach owe something to Gregg Popovich at this point? Kelvin Sampson, formerly of Indiana (don’t text a high schooler before it’s allowed) and San Antonio, is currently the head coach of this Rockets team. The Rockets are still missing Kevin McHale who is mourning the loss of his daughter, Sasha. 

-The pros and cons of increasing Joe Drummond’s minutes (I’m in the pro category). 

-Michael Pina at Shaky Ankles: Are the Pistons getting better?

-Jason Terry and Courtney Lee are pretty effective together for Boston. 

-Stephen Jackson is a great profile subject.

[pic of Sheed print via]