December 14, 2013 at 6:43 p.m.
Nothing says December like an avalanche of "Best of" lists. And the NBA wants in on the fun.
Nevermind that the All-Star game is two months away or that just a fourth of the season is in the bag, first returns from this annual popularity contest are in.
— Miami Heat point guard Mario Chalmers was the No. 10 vote-getter among Eastern Conference backcourt players with 32,996 votes.
— Brooklyn Nets small forward Paul Pierce sits at 13th among East frontcourt players with 45,145 votes.
Of course, with just two backcourt slots and three frontcourt slots per conference, things don't look good for Chalmers or Pierce. Leaders in the East received over 390,000 and 600,000 votes, respectively.
Fan voting for the 10 All-Star starters ends on Jan. 20, so if there's any time to Rock Chalk the vote, it's now.
Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris landed on the initial 120-player All-Star fan ballot, but didn't collect a noteworthy number of votes in the first round of results.
Not surprising for a bench player who's just now showing up on the radar of many NBA fans.
Besides, Co-Sixth Men of the Year sounds like a much more fitting award for Markieff and brother Marcus.
Increased efficiency has played a big part in the twins' success.
Markieff has bumped his shooting up from 39.9 and 40.7 percent in his first two seasons to 50.2 percent this year. That's the ninth-biggest improvement from 2012-13 to 2013-14 as calculated by NBA.com's John Schuhmann.
"I've just got a great feel for the game right now," he said. "I'm not trying to shoot as many 3s as I have in the past. I've just been working on driving to the basket and trying to get to the line."
The stats back it up. Markieff is shooting just 0.8 threes this season compared to 1.6 last year. And in just a few more minutes a game, he's taking 3.7 free throws, up from 1.5.
Phoenix Suns' Markieff Morris, shot distribution comparison from 2012-13 to 2013-14 seasons.
Meanwhile, Marcus' shooting is up from 29.6 and 42.2 percent to 47.0 percent.
Defensive improvements have been just as important.
(Markieff) Morris draws 4.3 fouls per 48 minutes of play this season. That is down from 5.5 fouls per 48 minutes last season and 7.0 two seasons ago.
And that whole twin thing? It's working out for the Suns.
When Hornacek first saw his team practice, he felt like the other three players on the court were non-existent when Markieff and Marcus Morris were playing together. Hornacek joked that when they want to make sure a pass is made in a called play, they have the twins on both ends of it.
Sounds like a recipe for success as the season enters its second quarter.
Can Xavier Henry still dunk?
Brooklyn Nets guard Tyshawn Taylor has been mentioned as a trade chip in a proposed deal with the Toronto Raptors, according to Yahoo's Adrian Wojnarowski. Talks are ongoing, but considering Taylor's lukewarm play and the return of starting point guard Deron Williams, the Nets may choose move the second-year pro.
Make sure that passport is up-to-date, Tyshawn.
Turnovers aren't, um, an ideal basketball play. But their entertainment value can be off the charts.
Two former KU stars ended up with brilliant bloopers recently.
Seldom-used New York Knicks center Cole Aldrich showed off his dance moves in a game against Orlando.
Poor Kirk went full Charlie Brown after the turnover, so the folks at SBNation.com paired the video with the most appropriate music ever.
How does a player with career averages of 6.7 points and 5.8 rebounds earn the distinction of "No-Stats All-Star"?
"That's one of the toughest parts of my job."
I watched the Morris brothers play Dueling Lefty Jumpers. Marcus won. I think.
"I'm a guy that when it's time to move on you move on. You can ask any girlfriend I've ever had."
I like to bowl, I learned to bowl in college. I'm really fascinated with spinning [the ball]. When I get out there I just have fun with it, I'm not that good, but I like to get out there and bowl.
If Energy Solutions Arena was a Jazz bar tonight Thomas Robinson did the equivalent of busting down the front door and swinging a gunny sack full of bowling balls through the entire combo.
Don't forget to keep tabs on all your favorite 'Hawks in the NBA with KUsports.com's daily stat recaps.