Carter has not proven that he can do these things consistently. A handful of players have a chance to take a step forward, but if there is one player to watch here it’s Wendell Carter Jr., a center who can theoretically anchor the defense, stretch the floor and facilitate on offense. They must trust the new offense, establish a defensive identity and continue to believe that they are better than they showed last season. It has been a rough start for the Bulls, but they can’t waver. The future of the franchise depends largely on how good those players are ultimately able to become, so their development should be central for Charlotte in 2021. Washington, Miles Bridges and LaMelo Ball, the Hornets have four extremely talented players who are all 25 or younger. The Hornets aren’t going to contend for a title this season as currently constructed, but they are set up well for the future - as long as they continue to develop all the young talent they have amassed.
New Year’s resolution: Continue to develop young talent In 2021, it will be extremely interesting to see if the Nets will be able to continue to live up to its on-paper potential, or if they will be knocked off track by chemistry issues. Brooklyn certainly has the talent to get to the NBA Finals, and potentially even win a ring. Things have started smoothly for Brooklyn, but how will the team respond when adversity hits? Just last season we saw a Clippers team with title expectations implode due to a lack of chemistry. However, continued chemistry could be a concern, especially given Kyrie Irving’s history of, um, mood swings. The early returns have been extremely promising, and the Nets look like they could become the best team in the Eastern Conference.
New Year’s resolution: Stay free of chemistry issuesĪfter a season’s worth of anticipation, we finally got to see the duo of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving suit up for the Nets. Walker’s playmaking is even more essential now than it was with last season’s roster. The Celtics won’t rush him back this time, and, once he’s back on the floor, they’re counting on him staying there. In the new year, though, they need Kemba Walker to return from his knee injury refreshed and rejuvenated. New Year’s resolution: A healthier lifestyleīoston is fortunate that Jaylen Brown has made a leap and that rookie Payton Pritchard has fit right in. The bad news is that Kris Dunn just had surgery on his ankle. The good news is the defense should improve when Clint Capela settles in and Onyeka Okongwu gets healthy. Atlanta can make a jump in the standings through sheer firepower, but if it is going to be the best version of itself, it needs to find a better balance. On the other side of the floor, early returns have not been as encouraging - they’re not forcing turnovers, they’re fouling too much and they’re getting hurt in transition. So far, the Hawks have been everything we hoped they would be … on offense. here’s a look at the 2021 New Year’s resolutions for every NBA team. But hey, there’s nothing wrong with starting the new year with some optimism. The thing with resolutions, though, is they don’t always come to fruition, and that will likely be the case for many of the resolutions listed below. For others, their resolution could be something simpler, like staying healthy, or developing young talent. Similarly, NBA teams also have resolutions, and while each would like to win a ring, that’s not a realistic goal for all of them. As the calendar flips from one year to another, people often come up with resolutions - things they would like to accomplish, or do better, in the new year.