Build the team that Dame needs
Damian Lillard is probably one of the, if not the, most loyal superstars in the league. Despite being part of trade rumors, Lilliard has consistently voiced out his commitment to stay in Rip City. He even expressed admiration for Dirk Nowitzki, who played for the Dallas Mavericks for his entire 21-year career, saying he respected what Dirk did. He also sees himself walking the same path – playing for one team, winning the city a title, and staying until he calls it quits.
It's time for the Blazers franchise to repay that loyalty and give Dame the pieces that he needs to succeed in a tough Western Conference (even if that means breaking up the Lillard-McCollum duo). Everyone knows how talented and phenomenal of a player Lillard is – he just needs to be surrounded with the right group of guys. It's either that or give him the chance to win elsewhere because it would be a shame to see the clock run out on Dame Time. Don't mess this up, Portland! --JC Ansis
Resolve the Ben Simmons saga
It's no secret that the Philadelphia 76ers have been shopping Ben Simmons. Anything that would facilitate Simmons and the Sixers getting a clean break from this drama is great. Moving on should be welcomed, especially around New Year.
So Daryl Morey, can we please stop with the over-the-top initial offers? At this point, everyone knows that you’re asking for Damian Lillard, Jusuf Nurkic, and a bunch of draft picks/calculus problems are just part of your negotiating tactics. Who hasn't watched Pawn Stars, right?
But at this point, everyone in the league has seen your hand. Every GM knows exactly how you play poker, so maybe it’s time for a change of pace. Ben Simmons isn’t the bum Twitter has made him out to be, but he clearly also isn't the franchise player everyone expected him to be. Let’s find an end to this. Free Ben Simmons. Stop stalling. --Migs Flores
Butler and Doncic back to MVP form
Jimmy Butler and Luka Doncic have been in the thick of this season’s MVP conversation before injuries forced them to miss multiple games. The Miami Heat continued to torch opponents even without Butler – who just returned this week – keeping their place in the East’s top 4 (22-13). The Dallas Mavericks, on the other hand, are clinging on to No. 8 in the West (16-17), looking as lost as ever without Luka Magic.
Hopefully, when the New Year rolls in, Butler and Doncic can return to their MVP form. It’s more fun when those two are cooking and putting up triple-doubles for their respective teams (and my fantasy team). It would also help if the Heat can have Bam Adebayo back healthy and if the Mavericks can upgrade their roster and learn to close out games. --Charmie Lising
Never bench Kemba again
Dear Coach Tom Thibodeau, if you’re reading this, can I call you Coach Thibs? Coach Thibs, for 2022, please make it your New Year’s resolution to never, ever banish Kemba Walker out of the pridelands again like young Simba.
Kemba, as he’s shown since his return, is a New York king who has a very infectious New York energy. He’s the best New York point guard the Knicks have ever had since Stephon Marbury (sorry, Jeremy Lin). Please, just let Kemba cook.
I mean, let’s be real, Coach Thibs, we aren’t expecting a championship at Madison Square Garden anytime soon, are we? Perhaps it’s not a bad idea to hakuna matata your way to another painful first-round playoff exit. Or until we hear a “Bing Bong” from Zion Williamson. --Jon Rodriguez
Supporting crew for prime Jokic
The Denver Nuggets should hold a team meeting and ask themselves “Are we really going to waste another MVP season from Nikola Jokic?” It’s an honest question to ask a team that’s trying to navigate a season without two of its top players, while its best player is having another historic year. With Michael Porter Jr. out and no definite timetable for the return of Jamal Murray, the Nuggets have been staying afloat all because of Jokic.
With Jokic on the floor, the Nuggets have a net rating that’s on the level of the Phoenix Suns. In contrast, without the Serbian center, Denver’s net rating craters to a league-worst. What do we make of the Nuggets being one of the best teams with their MVP on the court but transforming to an almost unrecognizable squad when Jokic goes to the bench? Heck, you don’t even need stats to tell you that the difference is glaring.
So for the New Year, the Nuggets should try – just try – to help out their best player. The guy is putting monster numbers night in and night out and all he’s asking is for someone else to play better. If they could hold the fort until Murray comes back, all the better. Jokic is an all-time great and he’s having another stellar season. It would be a shame if a year in his prime goes all for naught. --Yoyo Sarmenta
Warriors with the Splash bros
Can Klay Thompson have a seamless transition with the Golden State Warriors? A few decades ago, any of Klay’s injuries would have marked the end of a career. So it’s only fair that he should be given ample time to acclimate himself back to the NBA.
However, even disregarding how Klay would be playing, we are sincerely hoping that the Warriors continue to stay on top. Obviously, many rotational players will have to take the backseat once their second star player arrives. Gary Payton II, Jordan Poole, and other guards will see their minutes decrease when Klay finally makes his debut after a two-year hiatus.
Hopefully, this doesn’t cause any hostility for guys who have been playing their best basketball in years. It’s going to be a tough job for Steve Kerr to balance this all out, but if anyone can handle this amount of pressure, it’s definitely Team USA’s next head coach. --Renee Ticzon
