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

by Howard Beck, NBA Senior Writer from http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1811204-entering-year-four-john-wall-ready-to-deliver-on-his-promise

          The presence of Paul Pierce in the locker room and on the floor has been all about leadership. We know the departure of Trevor Ariza is missed but having Paul Pierce on your team is not bad in exchange. The Washington Wizards starting line-up consists of John Wall, Bradley Beal, Paul Pierce, Nene, and Marcin Gortat, is a pretty scary team to go against every night. They are an exciting and upcoming team in the Eastern Conference. John Wall has really changed his game and developed a mid-range jumper who can control his quickness and attack the paint at times. He is a better decision maker and thus has the ability to share the ball. In the league today, it is important to have a great point guard because they determine the tempo of the game.

          John Wall is averaging a league-high 10.2 assists along with 17.5 points. Last year, it was his first taste of playoffs and the Wizards managed to pass the first round. They went against a Chicago Bulls team without Derrick Rose but it was the experience that matters. Now that John Wall and his team knows what it's like to be in the playoffs, they will have a better preparation. With Paul Pierce, he understands how to win in the playoffs. Last season, it was very different for him to win with the Brooklyn Nets because it was an injured filled roster where Deron Williams and Brook Lopez were missing a portion of the season. This year, Pierce is surrounded by younger stars who gives him the most chance of winning another ring before he retires. They have the ability to go through to the Eastern Conference Finals this year. That should be their goal. Never aim low.

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

by Dan Favale, Featured Columnist/ Getty Images from http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1990273-carmelo-anthony-says-phil-jackson-wont-have-impact-on-free-agency-decision

          With Carmelo Anthony as the New York Knicks franchise player, they have the worst record in the league, percentage wise, with a record of 7-36. The Knicks recently won two games in a row. The fans still love them. I still watch them. Phil Jackson still believes them. Let's give them a few years and see what he can do with the team. Amare Stoudimire is in the last year of his 5 year, $100 million contract and we will see if Jackson wants him back in New York. Carmelo Anthony is the obvious center piece Jackson wants to build around but is he the right player?

          Carmelo Anthony has pointed out he doesn't want the team's mentality of tanking for the season. At the beginning of the season, they traded away Tyson Chandler and Raymond Felton to the Dallas Mavericks and in return for Jose Calderon and Samuel Dalembert who was waived in the beginning of this year. I had a problem trading away Tyson Chandler because he was a crucial player who won a championship with the Mavericks but I guess Phil Jackson didn't believe he fit in the triangle offense. In the middle of the season, they also traded away Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Lou Amundson and Lance Thomas, who are both on 10-day contracts at the moment. Can they develop rising player, Tim Hardaway Jr. into two-way shooting guard who can dominate the game? Hardaway has shown signs of greatness but at times can take too many shots like Carmelo Anthony. As of now, the Knicks are running two point guards, Langston Galloway and Jose Calderon, on the floor at the same time. According to Galloway, he is basing his game on Chauncey Billups. He brings defensive intensity which the Knicks lack. The Knicks need to develop their young players to help bring Carmelo Anthony into the playoffs before he gets too old.

          According to rumors within the last week, Tobias Harris would love to win a championship with the Knicks. If the Knicks do reach a deal with Harris, the small forward position would be clogged. Tobias Harris needs to work on his defense but he is only 22 years old so he has time. Tobias Harris does not seem like a good fit with Carmelo Anthony because they play a similar role. The Knicks need to go after a player like Marc Gasol who can play both ends. It would have been great if Pau Gasol signed with the Knicks but instead took his talents to the Chicago Bulls. He has done a wonderful job playing alongside Joakim Noah, Jimmy Butler, and Derrick Rose. Pau Gasol is also starting for the All-Star game as well as his brother, Marc Gasol, for the West. Congratulations to both players as they both deserved it this year. More importantly, let's see if Phil Jackson has something up his sleeve and pull off a trade to turnaround the Knicks franchise.

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

by Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports from http://www.azdesertswarm.com/basketball/2014/11/9/7180157/solomon-hill-arrived-indiana-pacers

                               

          The Indiana Pacers are in a developmental stage where the playoffs doesn't matter. They need their franchise player, Paul George, healthy at the start of next season. So far, no one on the team is averaging more than 15 points per game. Is this a bad thing or a good thing? Well, we understand David West and George Hill are coming back from injuries and it will take time to shake off their rust. With the absence of majority of the starters, Roy Hibbert should be the offense who controls the paint on both sides of the floor. He's not an athletic big man like Anthony Davis but he should be scoring more when Paul George is still sidelined. Through 35 games, Hibbert is only averaging 11.4 points per game. The offense should run through him because he can post up, make hook shots, and capable of hitting that mid-range shot. He is also a great passer but not the transition type player who can run the fastbreak. Roy Hibbert is one of the many concerns head coach, Frank Vogel, has to fix.

          The Pacers resolution is all about Solomon Hill. He is the type of player who can play a similar role like Jimmy Butler. When Derrick Rose was down, Jimmy Butler stepped up and played extremely well. His tough defense allowed him to stay on the court and thus play major minutes. Hill has had a reduced role since C.J. Miles and Rodney Stuckey are taking up the small forward minutes. Solomon Hill has shown signs where he can be a slasher who can get easy baskets and go to the free throw line. He has so much potential and the Pacers need a player who can step up and contribute next season when Paul George is healthy. We will see if the Indiana Pacers decide to trade away players for Solomon Hill to expand his game. 

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

by Sportabsorb from http://www.sportabsorb.com/2014/07/derrick-rose-dunking-practice/

                                         

          The Chicago Bulls are in a great spot to be in when the playoff arrives. Tied for second place of the Eastern Conference with Toronto Raptors, they will get home court advantage but more importantly they will have Derrick Rose back for the playoffs for the first time since the 2012 playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers. It will be a dream come true for the Bulls fans if Derrick Rose is the starting point guard for the Chicago Bulls. It would be such a remarkable story for the city of Chicago if they can reach the NBA finals because they have all the tools to make a deep run in the playoffs. Head coach, Tom Thibodeau, has done a good job maintaining Rose's minutes. This season, they have a really good chance only if, ONLY IF, the players are healthy. And that is why the Bull's resolution is to have their starting unit and bench unit healthy. Everyone has missed the Derrick Rose that brought the house down with his vicious dunks. He is not the only threat anymore as they have Jimmy Butler, Joakim Noah, and Pau Gasol. Unfortunately, injuries are part of the game and each team has to play through those events. The NBA was never the same when Rose missed the whole 2012-2013 season and I wish him all the best to be ready for the playoffs in April.

What If... the Chicago Bulls stayed healthy all season?

by Tom Loxas from http://www.chicagonow.com/loxas-factor/2013/01/interview-espns-nick-friedell-talks-bulls-derrick-rose-kevin-love-and-the-next-ron-atrest-jimmy-butler/

                                 
          We all know what Derrick Rose is capable of when he is healthy on the floor. So far, he is averaging 18 points, 5 assists and 3 rebounds. He may not be getting the stats before he was injured but that's because the team has so many options. Through 30 games, he has missed 10 games due to either a knee injury or rest. He will be the key if the Chicago Bulls want to win a championship. Joakim Noah is also having a setback after an off-season surgery. He is only averaging 8.6 points and 9.8 rebounds but newly acquired Pau Gasol from the Los Angeles Lakers is averaging almost 17.8 points and 11.4 rebounds which balances the frontcourt. As a veteran player of the NBA, Gasol is turning back time as one of the leaders of the Bulls as the are off to an 19-11 start, good for 4th in the East. The Bulls have all the tools to win a title because they have a good starting unit and bench. But in order for them to make it to the end, head coach, Tom Thibodeau, must make adjustments like Gregg Popovich, coach of the San Antonio Spurs. Jimmy Butler, who is leading the league in minutes played, almost 39 minutes per game. If he plays to much minutes in the season, Butler will feel the wear-and-tear in his body. He is young but still needs to be careful. But as Chris Webber quoted, "If it wasn't for the injuries of Derrick Rose, Jimmy Butler would not have developed into the player he is today. He plays with so much passion on both ends of the floor. He guards the best player on the opposing teams and if the Bulls want to make it far into the playoffs, Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler needs to stay healthy.

What If... There was one NBA player who you can hang out with for one day, who would it be?

by Dan Feldman/ Getty Images from http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/11/report-nick-young-signing-four-year-21-5-million-contract-with-lakers/

          For me, it would have to be either Russell Westbrook or Nick Young. Westbrook is such a dynamic player who attacks the basket none other than Derrick Rose in his healthy years. He has a very serious demeanor on the court and competitive at all times. On the other hand, Nick Young fools around and jokes with his teammates on and off the court. He has an unique personality who differs from the rest of the league. Sometimes his basketball plays can be questionable but overall he is a teammate that will support you and certainly his scoring has helped Kobe Bryant while coming off the bench. Nick Young is often seen goofing around on the bench even if the team is losing or winning (which may not be good idea when losing). But he enjoys the game and handles the media so well which is why the interviewers asks him many questions. So if I were to pick one player to hang out for one day, it would be Nick Young. Sorry, Westbrook, but you're still my favorite player.

What If... Carmelo Anthony went to the Chicago Bulls?

by diehardspot from http://www.diehardsport.com/nba/hypothetical-trade-sends-derrick-rose-jimmy-butler-carmelo-anthony/

          Would he have taken the pay-cut to go to the Chicago Bulls? No, that's why he returned to the New York Knicks. Some say it's all about the money. Carmelo Anthony tells the media some people aren't ready to play at MSG and he feels no pressure playing there.

          But what if he went to the Chicago Bulls and formed a legit contender for the championship? Starting with head coach Tom Thibodeau, who is defense minded which would allow Anthony's game to evolve. With a starting lineup of Derrick Rose, Jimmy Butler, Pau Gasol, Joakim Noah plus himself, wouldn't they compete with any other team in the league? He decided to stick to the new look Knicks with first year head coach, Derek Fisher. We know Phil Jackson is a great foundation but it's going to take some time before free agents will head to New York. By that time, Carmelo will be over thirty years old and who knows how he will play like unless his mindset is like Kobe Bryant who is having a heck of a year at the age of 36. But going back to Carmelo Anthony as a member of the Bulls, the team has a pretty good bench as well. Leading off with a power forward who can start on most teams, Taj Gibson. As well as Mike Dunleavy, who can shoot the three ball well and a well-rounded defender. Then there's Kirk Hinrich and Arron Brooks who are reliable point guard backing up Derrick Rose anytime he needs a rest or is out due to a minor injury that comes up often. Their draft picks are great with Doug McDermott and Nikola Mirotic. Both are big men with range and potential to contribute in their rookie year. Carmelo Anthony would be thinking on a potential championship this year, instead he's struggling to see his Knicks win on a daily basis.