NBA New Year's Resolutions

A new year can bring a new life.

It can also bring the illusion of progress.

A new start is only that if you COMMIT to the process of change.

Here are 10 NBA players that have some big resolutions attached to their names this year...

Nobody knows if they will follow through, but let's put these resolutions in the ether and see what happens...

1. Kyrie Irving (RESOLUTION: to stay healthy)

Kyrie's return has spelled 16.9 PPG in only 24 MPG. The numbers/minutes are starting to increase (he dropped 32 points in 34 minutes 2 games ago), and if Kyrie sticks with his New Year's resolution, the Cavs are going to be unbeatable the 2nd half of the NBA season...

2. Kobe Bryant (RESOLUTION: to reduce usage)

While no longer leading the league in USG%, Kobe really needs to retire. In his farewell season, Kobe is still #9 in the NBA in usage at 31.1 Pretty terrible for a guy trying to pass the torch to the next generation - and shooting a career-worst 35% from the field. Combine a disgusting field goal % with a Top 10 usage, and it's no surprise the Lakers are so terrible... Just leave, Kobe. You're done.

3. Stephen Curry (RESOLUTION: to make history)

Best numbers of his career. Best numbers I've seen in years. If he stays healthy, he will have this season talked about for the rest of eternity...

4. DeMarcus Cousins (RESOLUTION: to get help)

25.6 PPG, 10.8 REB. It's gotta be difficult to be one of the best young big men in the league - and never know what it's like to be on a winning team...

5. D'Angelo Russell (RESOLUTION: to get some respect)

Since he started off slowly, many pundits wrote him off way too quickly. He's a teenager playing in the NBA, and his rookie splits increase every month. In December, he scored 13.2 PPG, 1.9 3PM, 3.7 REB, 3.6 AST, 1.5 STL. He's going to be a superstar. Just watch...

6. Will Barton (RESOLUTION: to win 6th Man of the Year)

After averaging 3.0 PPG on Portland (that's not a typo), Barton deserves to be the 6th Man of the Year this season. 15.9 PPG, 45.1 FG%, 1.7 3PM, 83.3 FT%, 6.2 REB, 2.5 AST, 1.0 STL. Not only is he one of the best value picks for Fantasy this season, he's the best bench player in the NBA. He wins the award this season. Book it.

7. Kristaps Porzingis (RESOLUTION: to rebound consistently)

It's hard to argue with the studly rookie's performance this season, but it should be noted his rebound totals are up and down. Porzingis averaged 9.9 boards/game in November, then dipped all the way to 6.4/game for December. He's back up to 8.4 in 5 January games, but this is an area the giant rook needs to focus on. As a 7'3' beast, a double double every night is mandatory.

8. Robert Covington (RESOLUTION: to develop any sort of consistency)

After averaging 13.1 PPG and 3.6 STL (amazing!) in November, this enigma is averaging 5.2 PPG and 0.4 STL in January so far. This is just eerie. Like X-Files eerie. He could break out at any moment, or disappear completely. Nobody knows. For me, this is the most intriguing Fantasy Basketball story of the season...

9. Andrew Wiggins (RESOLUTION: to get a chip on his shoulder)

His scoring has moved up to just over 20/game from 16.9 PPG his rookie season, but curiously his counting stats have dipped slightly across the board. Wiggins has all the talent in the world, but really needs to develop a mean streak. For sure, Minnesota has lots of young talent, but Wiggins needs to show the world (and his team) that he is the true alpha dog in Minnesota...

10. Jahlil Okafor (RESOLUTION: to grow up)

This kid has too much talent to be making the kinds of headlines he is. Yes, he's only 20 years old. But his upside here is greatness. Many NBA careers have been cut short by mental weakness. I'm really hoping Okafor doesn't join that list of wasted potential...

So that's 10 players you want to watch this year.

A new year could signal the next stage of their illustrious careers - or indicate the roads less travelled.

Nothing is a guarantee, but everything is possible.

Gotta love a new start...

Bobman