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New Year’s Resolutions Part 1
Ah……it’s about that time. You know it. Overweight men charge themselves to work off 2010′s excess belly. “Habitual” smokers counsel themselves to drop the cancer stick. Zealous meat eaters take practicing tofu 101. It’s the season of New Year’s Resolutions!
It’s said that that practice of a New Year’s Resolution started back with the Babylonians over 4000 years ago (records show). Now, I don’t know why our world has always been passively obsessed with the concept of a New Year’s “Resolution”. Maybe it’s the thought of calling a mulligan on 2010, giving us a doo-over on unwanted habits or decisions with what we decide are unwarranted results. Either way, there are dozens of NBA teams that need to make some changes going into the New Year. So, in honor of this unofficial holiday let’s take this time to view those NBA teams’ New Year’s Resolution. Let’s start first, with the Western Conference:
1. San Antonio Spurs
Resolution: I still dislike the Spurs. Because Tim Duncan is an automaton, Manu Ginobili is an annoying, flopping, whirling dervish of a gnat, and Tony Parker is a French Rapper (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I__mr8xUt94)….yeah. But they are all playing career low minutes, and hold the best record in the league. They don’t need a resolution. Well except Tony Parker to never rap again.
2. Dallas Mavericks
Resolution: Mark Cuban to make up his mind and stick to it. Mark Cuban has toyed religiously with giving up the farm for LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony. Either make a strong push to grab Melo as that defined perimeter scorer or leave the team be.
3. Los Angeles Lakers
Resolution: Get motivated. Boy oh boy, do these Lakers exemplify the meaning of coasting. My Big O Report partner, Tay P, already covered the Lakers recent troubles (http://www.hoopsmack.com/2010/12/27/the-fake-show/), so I won’t go into detail.
4. Utah Jazz
Resolution: Reestablishing their former Home-Court dominance. After finishing the last four seasons with records of 31-10, 37-4, 33-8 and 32-9 at home, the Jazz are 10-4 on the road, but only 11-6 at home. On pace to finish with 57 wins and a high seed, fixing their “home-court advantage” would go a long way to getting them far in the playoffs.
5. Oklahoma City Thunder
Resolution: Re-commitment to Defense. Last year the Thunder ranked 9th in total defense; this year: 21st. Given that their defense was the catalyst to their 50 win season, the Thunder may want to take advantage of an improved offense (7th) with a just as potent defense.
6. New Orleans Hornets
Resolution: Offense…..any way they can manufacture it. If only the Hornets could merge with the Thunder (great idea LeBron!) we would have one of the top 5 teams in the league. The Hornets rank 3rd in defense, but a putrid 26th in offense. When the likes of Marco Belinelli and Trevor Ariza are your main perimeter scorers, you have problems.
7. Denver Nuggets
Resolution: To trade Carmelo Anthony and start over. Look, I know, you know, your mother knows, your grandmother knows….Carmelo Anthony is out of there. Denver would do their franchise a service to expedite this process and bury the drama for good. Or else lose Melo in the summer.
8. Portland Trail Blazers
Resolution: Could it be more obvious? Make a commitment to get rid of all medical related issues. Fire the medical staff, fire the training staff, and get rid of Brandon Roy’s knees, Greg Oden’s legs, and any other injury related player on the roster. It’s beginning to look like the end of the line for this once promising roster, maybe it’s time to act accordingly.
9. Houston
Resolution: To close the door on the Yao era. Yao missed 21 games in December 2005 with Osteomyelitis in his big toe on the left foot. Yao was out 6 months after a broken bone in his left foot in April 2006. He missed 34 games with a broken right knee in December 2006. He missed the remainder of the season when he was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his left foot in February of 2008, During the 2nd round of the 2009 playoffs Yao was diagnosed with hairline fracture in his left foot, causing him to miss the remainder of the playoffs. He missed the entire 2009-2010 season after surgery was required on that same broken left foot. Finally on December 16th 2010 Yao was developed a stress fracture in his left ankle and was ruled out for the season. It’s time to move on.
10. Memphis Grizzlies
Resolution: Either commit to O.J. Mayo or trade him. I am biased, I am. I own him on a fantasy basketball team. But the herky, jerky role of O.J. Mayo on this team defies explanation. He obviously doesn’t seem to be fitting in as the 6th man. His best game was the December 18th loss to San Antonio, where Rudy Gay served a one-game suspension. Mayo stepped into the starting lineup to the tune of 27 points, including a game tying three-pointer that forced overtime. Either trade him or put him back into the starting lineup.
11. Phoenix Suns
Resolution: To rebuild, or not to rebuild? That is the question. If I am Steve Nash I would wear my hair in a half-mullet, half-fade to represent the confusion that is my team. Are they planning to get younger or are they really trying to build a championship team? A definite decision needs to come, so that Nash can be dealt for picks and young players or so more moves can be made to build this team in the short term.
12. Golden State Warriors
Resolution: Commitment to getting over the hump. From November 19th to December 14th Golden State went from a record of 7-4 to one of 9-16. Outside of that horrible stretch where they won two games the Warriors are 11-6 (including the recent 3 game win streak). Injuries haven’t helped, but GS has shown flashes of been able to be a competitive team now that the “Mad Scientist” Don Nelson isn’t at the helm. The question is can they maintain it?
13. Los Angeles Clippers
Resolution: Losing a bit around the waist…..as in Baron Davis. November 22nd and 25th, 2010. Clippers-Hornets and Clippers -Kings. The Clippers fielded a lineup of Eric Bledsoe, Eric Gordon, Al-Farouq Aminu, Blake Griffin, and DeAndre Jordan. It was the first multi-game win streak of the season and showcased a lineup of players less than 23 years of age. The Clippers aren’t winning anything any time soon. It’s time to start the youth movement ala The OKC Thunder.
14. Minnesota Timberwolves
Resolution: Continue to play Kevin Love 35+ minutes per game. 31 points and 31 rebounds. 31 POINTS and 31 REBOUNDS. You play this man 45 minutes a night. With Michael Beasley finally showing signs of being a top scorer, Wesley Johnson looks like a promising swingman, and Darko Milicic emerging from the dead, the T-Wolves show signs of a future competitive team. Just keep plugging away and pray Ricky Rubio shows up in the near future.
15. Sacramento Kings
Resolution: Change of scenery. Tyreke Evans has regressed, DeMarcus Cousins is showcasing his volatile nature, Paul Westphal can’t decide on a roster to save his life, and the stigma of not a new building in Sacramento is still hanging over this franchise. I don’t know where to start, but maybe a change of scenery is in order for the entire franchise (Seattle, Las Vegas anyone?).
Look out for Part 2 soon…….
