What if... the Utah Jazz had a New Year's Resolution, what would it be?

by Kevin Jairaj, USA TODAY Sports from http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2013/12/06/nba-a-to-z-gordon-hayward-jason-kidd-lawrence-frank-nets-pau-gasol-rockets/3891835/

          The Utah Jazz are a young team that's mostly built through the draft. They were exciting and fun to watch at the beginning of the season. The starters were Trey Burke, Alec Burks, Gordon Hayward, Derrick Favors, and Enes Kanter. We knew from the start of the season, they're not a playoff team but they're a team that plays hard every night. Gordon Hayward has really stepped it up for the Jazz this season averaging 19.4 points per game.This goes to show a max-contract can motivate a player to step up their game. He is capable of taking over games but like most good players, he needs to show consistency and more importantly, leadership. Hayward has to make sure his team is communicating and playing defense every possession. Derrick Favors has also shown signs of improvement and has been the teams interior defense along with Rudy Gobert. Like Hassan Whiteside from the Miami Heat, Gobert is a shot blocker who can rebound and is capable of learning the team's offense. Along with Rudy Gobert, Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter can be the next three-headed monster in the paint. They remind me of bigs from the Chicago Bulls who have Pau Gasol, Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson, and newcomer, Nikola Mirotic. The Utah Jazz team is raw and they are developing playing who can play next to Gordon Hayward. With one franchise player, they must generate chemistry if they want to produce wins.

          Alec Burks was such an important piece for the Indiana Pacers because his play style is very similar to Paul George. They can both attack the paint and make the mid-range jumper. However, he went down with a season-ending shoulder injury. They are currently 17-31 and have a young core with a high motor. Their resolution to the new year is improving upon their bench. Other than Trey Burke and Rudy Gobert, they need help in their secondary unit. The number one reason why the Golden State Warriors are so good is because of their deep bench. They have David Lee, Andre Iguodala, and Shaun Livingston who can come in anytime and for the team to not be worried. The Utah Jazz can learn from them and build from experience. With time, the Utah Jazz might be able to be the same time of team when they had John Stockton and Karl Malone. The fans missed those years in the playoffs and how anxious they are for the team to return. Question is... when will they be ready?

What if... the Golden State Warriors had a New Year's Resolution, what would it be?

by Saam Esfandiari from http://www.warriorsworld.net/2014/11/18/draymond-green-should-start-at-pf-for-the-foreseeable-future/

         
          We would have thought the Golden State Warriors were going to be the #1 seed in the western conference middle of January? They are currently 29-5 and have only lost one game at home which was against the San Antonio Spurs. Their resolution is to make it to the Western Conference Finals which is doable. They have the Splash Brothers, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, who are carrying the offense and Draymond Green, who is their glue guy. He does all the little things like going for lose balls and offensive rebounds. Andre Iguodala is buying into the system and coming off the bench bringing the leadership they need for their second unit. First year head coach, Steve Kerr, is doing a nice job slowly bringing David Lee back into the rotating after suffering a hamstring injury. Draymond Green is having a fantastic season and would likely remain as a starter averaging 11.9 points, 3.8 assists, and 8.4 rebounds. For his height, he is plays as an undersized power forward for the Warriors but Kerr likes his ability to run the floor and make smart decisions for the team. Green reminds me of Kawhi Leonard, who doesn't need plays for him to be on the floor. He knows his role and if he's open on the offensive end, he will take the high percentage shot.

          Since they are in the Western Conference, it will be a difficult task to reach the Western Conference Finals but they have all the tools with their roster. Usually, each round gets tougher but in the West, it's different. This year, they might end up going against a team like the San Antonio Spurs or Oklahoma City Thunder first round. The Golden State Warriors are heading in the right direction and the fans couldn't be more happier to see their team finally having a successful season.

What If... you had to make a starting line-up with only bench players?

by Jamie McDonald/ Getty Images Europe from http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/7vQu9Mimnp-/Oklahoma+City+Thunder+v+Philadelphia+76ers/pIDqJ1M6Zjy/Reggie+Jackson

          For my backcourt, it would have to be Isaiah Thomas and Reggie Jackson. In order to have a good team, you need point guards. Thomas and Jackson has toughness and quickness at their position. At the small forward spot, I would take Andre Iguodala because he is versatile and can guard every position. As the manager, I would make him play this position because he can lock down great forwards and guards with the exception of a few players who are just unstoppable like Anthony Davis. For my forward spot, I like Taj Gibson because he's always aggressive on the defensive end and when Pau Gasol and Joakim Noah are out on nights, he can get 20 point 10 rebound game if needed. Brandon Wright would have to me my center because his field goal percentage is high and takes reasonable shots. He is able to protect the paint and plays help defense which is key to having a long career in the NBA. Draymond Green is an asterisk because he is currently replaced as a starter for David Lee who hasn't played in the season yet. Otherwise, I would pick him because he can fill the stat sheet up with assists, rebounds, blocks, and steals. Another honorable mention would be Ryan Anderson who can is a stretch four who can spread the floor for his teammates. What are your five picks?