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NBA Power Rankings: New Year’s Resolutions for Every Team

By Maxwell Ogden

Dec 28, 2014; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) and guard Wesley Matthews (2) celebrate against the New York Knicks during the fourth quarter of the game at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. The Trail Blazers won 101-79. Mandatory Credit: Godofredo Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) and guard Wesley Matthews (2) celebrate against the New York Knicks during the fourth quarter of the game at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. The Trail Blazers won 101-79. Mandatory Credit: Godofredo Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 21, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36) reacts after being called for a foul on Miami Heat forward Chris Andersen (11) in the second half at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 100-84. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36) reacts after being called for a foul on Miami Heat forward Chris Andersen (11) in the second half at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 100-84. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports /

25. Boston Celtics

Previous: No. 23

Record: 10-18

Last Week: 0-2

New Year’s Resolution: Move On to Marcus Smart

Since winning their first game without Rajon Rondo, the Boston Celtics have lost four in a row. They’ve played relatively well on defense, but the quality of offense has diminished without Rondo in to facilitate.

Nevertheless, the Celtics’ New Year’s Resolution must be to commit without pause to Marcus Smart at point guard.

Smart’s experienced his ups-and-downs during a turbulent rookie season. He’s been wildly inefficient as a scorer and is struggling to shoot from beyond the arc.

For as inconsistent as he’s been, the Celtics need to commit to the future by giving Smart the chance to run as the full-time point guard.

Head coach Brad Stevens understands that it’s all hands on deck with developing the Top 10 draft pick.

It won’t be pretty in the short-term, but it’s necessary, nonetheless.

The Celtics are in a transition period, which makes the development of Smart, Kelly Olynyk, Jared Sullinger and company all the more important. There may or may not be a franchise player on the roster, but there’s significant talent.

Boston traded its franchise point guard away. The next step is to replace him with the player, Smart, who’s already on the roster.

Next: 1-on-1 or 5-on-5?