New Year’s Eve. Three words that mean something different to each person. For some it means a quiet evening at home with the family. For others it’s a bright green light to drink until you’re sure to flunk a breathalyzer with flying colors. Whatever you end up doing tonight, be safe. (If it happens to be standing in Times Square in New York to watch the ball drop, I’d love to hear the fascination in that). Also, with a New Year brings resolutions that barely hold up beyond mid-January.
But as we throw up the deuces on 2010 and open the door for 2011, resolutions apply as well for basketball fans. Here are my 3 New Year’s resolutions for basketball fans:
The “When Rondo develops a jumpshot…” theories must stop
A few years ago I was one of the biggest Rajon Rondo haters. I came around last year and I am now able to see his worth. Especially since the Celtic offense has been stagnant since he’s been out. He has emerged as one of the best PGs in the game. He isn’t the best, nor will he ever be, but he’s in the conversation. The argument from people who think that he will one day be the best PG is that when he develops a consistent jumpshot he’ll be unstoppable. Can we please come to the realization that that day will never come. He’s not a shooter. Simple as that. He is what he is: A very good floor general with excellent court vision.
Rondo is nearly 25 years old and this is his 5thyear in the league. I didn’t grow up with him but I’d venture to guess that he’s been playing basketball his whole life. So, if he hasn’t developed one by now, it’s never going to happen.
It’s officially time to stop hating on LeBron and the Heat
Ok, enough already. We get it. You don’t like LeBron anymore. But it’s January. Time to move on (this isn’t just directed to Cleveland, by the way). That ship has sailed. The boat has left the dock. Insert any other cliché you’d like here.
The Heat got off to a terrible start and the “I told you it wouldn’t work” theories began. Well it is working. They’re 25 – 9, winners of 16 of their last 17, and have the stingiest D in the league. At this juncture of the season, the hate has gotten old. It’s so…2010.
Believe ‘Melo will be traded only when you see him in a new uniform
Here at The Hoop Doctors, we report Carmelo trade rumors when they surface because that’s our job. We don’t conjure up the rumors, we simply tell you about them. But it seems like every third Tuesday afternoon, he’s reportedly about to be a Net. And every over Wednesday evening, he’ll soon be a Knick. I can’t remember so many trade rumors about a guy in such a short period of time in recent memory. It has gotten out of control.
I don’t think he’ll be a Nugget at the start of the 2011 – 2012 season, but at this point, I don’t know where he’ll end up. So, we’ll continue to report the rumors, but don’t shoot the messenger.
If you’re looking for your everyday, predictable basketball talk, then go somewhere else, because Kevin Burke of The Kevin Burke Project brings provocative, thought provoking content about basketball as only he can. Kevin also hosts The Hoop Doctors weekly podcast show, which you can subscribe to for free on iTunes. Follow Kevin on Twitter and Facebook
