New Year's resolutions and rumors

By James Kakoza Sports Central Columnist

Coaching Bonanza

What do Tim Floyd and Dan Issel have in common? They both resigned as head coach of their respective teams. For Tim Floyd, he resigned because the task asked upon him to maintain the winning environment from the Jordan dynasty was conceivably impossible. The Chicago Bulls are 4-21 this year, and Floyd's coaching record with the Bulls is 49-190, worst start in NBA history.

However, it will not be hard finding a job in the NCAA, as Floyd is well-known for coaching the Iowa State Cyclones to a 81-49 record in his four-year tenure at the institution. He is the only coach in Cyclones history to post three consecutive 20-win seasons and winning three-consecutive first round NCAA Tournament victories.

For Dan Issel, he made a racially insensitive remark to a fan. Some NBA teams might be reluctant in hiring the hothead, but he is capable of turning around teams. When hired May 20, 1992 by the Denver Nuggets as head coach, he turned around the team that went 24-58 in the previous year to 36-46 the next year. Adding to his accomplishments, his Denver Nuggets became the first eighth-seeded team in NBA history to defeat the top seeded team in the first round (Seattle Supersonics).

Replacing Dan Issel is Mike Evans, and replacing Tim Floyd will be Bill Cartwright, both former assistant coaches. Hopefully, we will see Floyd and Issel coaching again in the near future.

Washington Wizards Playoff Bound?

The Washington Wizards have surprised many with their nine-game winning streak. The streak came to end with a loss to the Charlotte Hornets 93-99. Richard Hamilton, one of they key players on the Wizards who averages 19.8 ppg and four rpg, is expected to miss four weeks due to a pulled right groin. The next night, the tired Wizards suffered a humiliating loss to the Indiana Pacers. Michael Jordan scored a career-low six points on two-of-10 shooting.

Just when we thought the Wizards folded, on two nights rest they beat the Charlotte Hornets 107-90, led by "The Blueprint" Michael Jordan, scoring a season-high 51 points, 24 coming in the first quarter, a team record. After the game, Jordan said to the media "I'm pretty sure you guys were saying how old I was, and I wanted certainly to make a statement offensively."

The Washington Wizards are a completely different team from last year, and deserve my vote for NBA's most improved team. The Wizards will have plenty more of surprises for the NBA as the season goes on.

NBA in Louisville?

The Mayor of Louisville, KY is proposing plans of a new stadium to entice the NBA franchise Charlotte Hornets. Louisville is not the only city in America that desires a NBA team; Norfolk, VA., St. Louis, MO., Anaheim, CA., and New Orleans, LA. are all interested in the Charlotte Hornets. A proposal has also been sent to the University of Louisville Men's Basketball to see if they would agree playing with the Hornets in the same arena. The arena is projected to cost around $259 million.

Tensions Rise in Phoenix

The temperature is not the only thing hot in Phoenix. Players such as Penny Hardaway, Stephon Marbury, Dan Majerle, Jake Tsakalidis, and Alton Ford have been involved in shouting matches, pointless arguments, and even the meaningless "bouncing the ball as hard as you can on the court to show how mad you are" incidents. The Suns are frustrated, and this was clearly shown in the shouting match between Stephon Marbury and Penny Hardaway.

The brief shouting feud happened during the shoot around before they played the Clippers, and that same night they lost. From this, we can see who got the better end of the Stephon Marbury for Jason Kidd trade. Stephon Marbury is unable to be the glue that keeps a team together, a role Kidd held in his years in Phoenix.

In New Jersey, Jason Kidd has been the best thing since the Devils won the Stanley Cup. Although his stats may seem similar to last year, he has made the players playing with him better, including Keith Van Horn, Todd MacCulloch, and Kerry Kittles, who amazingly is still healthy this year. The other Suns players had their altercations during practices and scrimmages, but nothing physical has happened -- yet!

Top Five NBA New Year Resolutions

5. Pat Riley vows to turn around the Heat's season and get his team in the playoffs once again -- he just needs to find a way to get Anthony Mason, Dan Majerle, and Tim Hardaway to play harder.

4. Shawn Kemp plans to remember all the names of his eight children, and eight baby's mommas.

3. Tim Floyd plans to write a new resume with the assistance of George O'Leary.

2. Lamar Odom plans to spend more time with Nate Newton.

1. Dan Issel plans to avoid using racially insensitive remarks, and plans to seek consulting with John Rocker.

Article courtesy of Sports Central.