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Two months down, only six more to go. Too bad we can't have games all year around.
With New Year's a free throw away, here are my wishes for 2003:
|  | | Yao Ming has been the hardest working man in hoops business. |
That Yao Ming gets some rest. No one has played more basketball than Yao, who will soon find out just how long the NBA season really is. Yao needs to learn time management. He's so nice that he won't say no to any request. He's going to be a great basketball player, that that's what he has to focus on, not the endless requests for his time. Yao could also use some teammates who understand the passing game and at least one to serve as a bodyguard. Where's Maurice Lucas when you need him?
That the Lakers find team chemistry and an infusion of enthusiasm to turn this thing around. And if that doesn't happen, that LeBron James joins Kobe and Shaq next year.
That the Clippers find more time for Marko Jaric, a clean bill of health for Lamar Odom and respect for coach Alvin Gentry. And that Michael Olowokandi's free agent audition tour continues to go well.
That Pat Riley finds some players while coming to the realization that the referees don't care who wins and loses.
That Michael Jordan lives up to his word and truly plays for fun -- and that every game can be against Atlanta and Toronto. My hope is that Michael doesn't take this mess too seriously or too personally, and that one day he can learn from Magic Johnson that there is indeed life after playing basketball.
That someone hands LeBron James the complete works of Jerry Garcia, Bob Dylan and John Wooden.
|  | | Two wishes: For Shawn Bradley, left, to D it up in Dallas, and for Ron Artest's Pacers to win with class. |
That the Mavericks find one defensive stopper and one guy who loves to fight for the ball under the basket.
That on their road to glory, the Pacers emulate the class and dignity of Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars and Vinny Johnson and not the thuggery of Bill Laimbeer, Dennis Rodman and Rick Mahorn.
That Allen Iverson learns to play the media game as well as he plays the game of hoops.
That the Celtics find some money as well as a real big man, which wouldn't be necessary if Vin Baker was still playing pro ball.
That David Robinson and John Stockton could stay forever young.
That there are many more players and people like Jon and Brent Barry. And that someone would finally give Rick Barry the job he truly deserves.
That Vince Carter never has to spend another minute in the doctor's office.
And that Tyson Chandler, Eddy Curry, Kwame Brown and Amare Stoudemire spend every waking hour picking the mind of Pete Newell.
Bill Walton, who is an NBA analyst for ESPN, is a regular contributor to ESPN.com.
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