Losing weight, saving money and giving more to charity are just a few popular New Year’s resolutions. Most people never keep these promises, but they remain an important tradition and part of American pop culture.

New Year’s resolutions are certainly not lost on NBA players, coaches and general managers. After all, they are people too; most just have a lot more money and fame than the rest of us. So, let’s imagine what some of our favorite NBA players, coaches and GMs might resolve to do in 2009.

Golden State’s $66 million man Monta Ellis: “Take Moped driving lessons, before getting on one of these mean machines again.” Ellis is still recovering from a Moped accident in 2008 and has yet to play a game this season, since being rewarded by the Warriors with his exorbitant new contract.

Oklahoma City Coach Scott Brooks: “Win ten or more games with a roster full of guys who are barely old enough to shave.” Brooks has his Thunder squad playing very well and has a nucleus of three potential stars in Kevin Durant, Jeff Green and Russell Westbrook. At 3-28 entering the New Year, though, double-figure victories may be a difficult resolution to keep.

Detroit’s Allen Iverson: “To show Detroit fans the player Pistons brass coveted when it traded for me.” Since arriving from Denver in a trade for point guard Chauncey Billups, Iverson has been good but certainly not great. No one can expect Iverson, now 33, to average 27 points and better than 2 steals per game – his career numbers. Detroit fans, however, surely want more than the 18 points Iverson is averaging with Detroit, especially since the Pistons find themselves in unfamiliar territory – 8 games behind streaking Cleveland. It also doesn’t help Iverson that Denver is one of the best teams in the Western Conference with Billups running the show.

Atlanta Hawks General Manager Rick Sund: “Get a legitimate NBA center.” Although Al Horford is a star in the making, he’s a bit slight for the middle of a steady NBA offense. A real big man just might be the only missing piece of the puzzle for the new-look Hawks.

Boston Celtics Coach Doc Rivers: “Win a championship and begin a new season at 27-2, including a 19-game winning streak.” Wait a minute, wasn’t that his resolution for 2008?

Knicks banished guard Stephon Marbury: “A fresh start with a new team.” This resolution is very likely to come true, depending on how you feel about the word, “fresh.” Marbury, who hasn’t played all season, because he’s not in the Knicks’ plans, has become a pariah – banned from his own team’s bench. Marbury will likely have his contract bought out and move on. The question remains: how long before his “fresh start” smells like his same old tired act?

Defending NBA MVP Kobe Bryant: “Win an NBA title, shutting up all the naysayers who contend that I can’t do it without Shaq.” Western Conference foes San Antonio, New Orleans, Houston and even Denver may have something to say about this one. If they don’t, a powerful Eastern Conference champion — Boston, Cleveland, Orlando or Atlanta – may prove too much for Kobe to keep his promise. Kobe has the best supporting cast since O’Neal left town, so he’ll definitely make a serious run at keeping this resolution.

Former NBA Finals MVP Dwayne Wade: “Lead my Miami Heat team back to the playoffs and win my first NBA Most Valuable Player Award.” After starting just 49 games last season and looking like a mere mortal, Wade has put his cape back on and is averaging 29 points, 7 assists and 2 steals per game. More important, his Miami team looks like a legitimate playoff contender and Wade appears ready to challenge LeBron James for league MVP honors.

Cavaliers superstar LeBron James: “Sacrifice some of my own statistics and maybe even an MVP award, so I can finally bring an NBA championship to Cleveland.” At just 24, King James has already cemented an astonishing legacy. With the addition of a viable second scoring option in Mo Williams, LeBron is willing to cut back his own remarkable numbers in favor of a title. If the Cavs stay healthy, this may be the most logical resolution of all.

Photo Credit: ICON Sports Media

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