Boston Celtics: Drink from the fountain of youth

At 24-8, there is not too much the Celtics need to resolve themselves to change.  Maintaining success has to be the name to their game.  Paul Pierce must return from injury and the quartet of himself, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Rasheed Wallace need to stay “Forever Young”.

New Jersey Nets: Practice patience

It’s unfathomable to think how woeful the Nets are right now.  What makes it so perplexing is the bevy of young talent that fills the New Jersey soon to be Brooklyn franchise’s roster.  Jay-Z, the incoming new ownership, and the pending move are factors that cannot push the Nets to make big changes to this team.  With a should be first-time all-star in Brook Lopez, Devin Harris, Yi Jianlian, Courtney Lee, the emerging Chris Douglas-Roberts, and a future high draft pick, the future looks great wherever this team finds itself in the future.

New York Knicks: Get a blueprint

Most are surprised by the Knicks 13-20 start that has them on the fringes of a playoff berth in a diluted bottom half of the Eastern Conference.  While they have gotten nice contributions from marginal role players, long term success can’t last with this team.  They need to trade any nonconformists in the locker room and not hang on the pipe dream that is Lebron James.  Mike D’Antoni has a clear style.  The Knicks need to take Danilo Gallinari as the initial building block and keep collecting pieces that fit the coaches’ mold.

Philadelphia 76ers: Draw better

It is simply inexcusable for a team in one of the most diehard sports cities in a large east coast market to only be outdrawing Sacramento and Memphis in home attendance.  76ers brass brought back Allen Iverson, in part to assist with this problem, but their marketing team needs to hit the pavement.  Perhaps they missed a golden opportunity to not host “Boo Santa Night” last week, a favorite pastime for the denizens of the City of Brotherly Love.

Toronto Raptors: Win on the Road

For the Raptors, the road to the playoffs is simple.  Improve upon a 5-13 record away from home, and the Raptors will go a long way towards looking like the team people prognosticated big things from in the summer.