Happy New Year! My Heat Resolutions

Ok, so everyone has popped the bubbly, shot off their fireworks and guns, and said goodbye to '06. And what a year it was - especially for Heat fans.

First came the Trade - Walker, Williams and Posey landing in Miami proved Riley not only to be the great gambler, but also to be championship grade. Amid much second-guessing, of course.

Then came, the Change. Stan Van Gundy, after pull-starting this new Heat motor couldn't quite get it to run right and Riley stepped in and guided the team. Citing family concerns, SVG stepped down and Riley, weeping, took over. Of course the rumor was that it wasn't a lack of ability on SVG's part, but a lot of yapping from a few of the vets - namely Gary Payton, Antoine Walker and even Shaq.

Setting all of the drama aside, the Heat grabbed for even more by muscling their way to their first ever NBA championship. Zo is relieved, Payton can finally die in peace, and Walker, well, he can do his wiggle with authority now.

Yet, 2007 is a new year, and with new challenges. So, as a spoiled-rotten Heat fan, I will make some promises for resolutions:

1) I will get into "game shape". With all the injuries on this current Heat roster, Riley may give me or any one of us Heat fans a call to run the point or something. 10 day contract, here I come - but first, I got to put down this turkey leg.

2) No more whining about the officiating. Ok, so what fan DOESN'T complain about the officiating? As the champs of the league, we shouldn't complain because we SHOULD be getting all the calls! At least, that is how it worked for the other champion teams of the past, right?

3) I will root FOR Antoine Walker. I know, I know. We are all guilty of it. We cringe whenever he hoists up a three (and scream YEAH when he makes it...which is why there is not a whole lot of smiling when Walker is on the court). We get queasy whenever Walker tosses up a layup like a hand grenade. Or when he barrels into his defender like a running back (give Saban a call, Toine - that is, if he doesn't run off to Alabama!). Perhaps collectively, we can all, with positive thinking, divinely inspire something in Antoine Walker to play with a sense of efficiency. Or is that urgency?

4) I will NOT blame the new ball anymore. Missed that free throw? It's the new ball. Missed that layup? New ball. Missed a payment on my credit card? You got it - new ball. That thing going on in the Middle East? Well, that is probably because of the old ball...but I digress.

5) No more resolutions. Who am I kidding. I can't keep any of these straight for longer than a week. We'll all go out, join a gym, eat tofu and quit smoking for about 2 weeks. Maybe three. But there is no way in hell I am not going to scream at a ref for being blind and stupid. Or not screaming at Walker for the same thing.

Just wishing everyone a healthy and safe new year. Especially you, Shaq and DWade. C'mon back, boys - we need ya.