Considering all things, I think the Lakers have to concede that 2008 was a very successful year.  After all, it was just last year that Kobe and the gang had the year from hell. It was so bad that I don’t think anybody expected such a dramatic come back.  It all started with an early exit out of the playoffs and on to Kobe’s infamous squabble with the Laker organization.  And how could we forget Kobe’s youtube video, ripping into Andrew Bynum, Mitch Kupchak and Jerry Buss, all that eventually led to Jerry Buss’s desire to trade Kobe.

Then came 2008.  The Lakers making a trip to the NBA finals, Kobe achieving his first MVP title and a solid start to this season with a 25-5 record, and ending it with a big bang, beating the Celtics on Christmas day.

So, moving into 2009, I’ve decided to put a list together of every Laker player’s new years resolution according to me, the fan.  I encourage your input.   Please feel free to add to my list of resolutions.

Chris Mihm: We need Mihm on the bench, but bring some energy, brother.  Sometimes I forget he’s even on the bench.  Chris, stop taking yoga classes and buy Guitar Hero or something.

Josh Powell: He needs to get more playing time.  His jump shot is solid and his rebounding and energy are always a constant.  What he doesn’t need is another tattoo. At this point I think he has every logo of every team he’s played for on each of his arms.

Sun Yue: Is it just me, or does this kid look completely lost out there?  Not like, hey I don’t understand the triangle lost; but hey, how do I play basketball lost.  Yue needs to loosen up. Maybe he needs one of Josh Powell’s tattoos.

Sacha Vujacic: The machine needs a razor and a trim.  He’s come a long way from looking like Harry Potter’s long lost brother.  But now he’s starting to look like a European mobster.  He also needs more looks.  I’m sorry, but lets say less three’s for Lamar and more for Sacha.

Vladimir  Radmanovic: I don’t know what Vlade’s resolution should be.  I mean, sometimes he plays solid and other times, he makes the worse mistakes.  Love his threes but hate his three point fouls on other players.  I think Vlade needs a clue.  Can somebody give this man a clue and a side order of defense.

Luke Walton: Luke needs more athletic ability and some confidence.  He plays smart for the most part but sometimes he passes up shots for forced passes that lead to turnovers or bad shots for other players.  Luke just needs to walk around like he’s Dirk Diggler and everything will fall into place for him.

Jordon Farmer: Well this is pretty obvious.  He just needs to recover from his surgery.  Hopefully they replaced some of the cartilage in his knee from the endless supply he carries in those ears.

Lamar Odom: Lamar needs some toughness.  I could totally see Lamar as a Kevin Garnett type of player.  But he’s just so soft spoken.  Ever see him in an interview?  He never looks at the camera.  Lamar needs a snarl or something.  Like a DMX snarl. Imagine if DMX was playing for the Lakers. Nobody would come into the lane.

Trevor Ariza: Trevor needs a jump shot.  Plain and simple.  He works hard and always lets it all hang out.  If only he could shoot the three with more consistency.

Derek Fisher: Without Derek Fisher, I don’t see much of the Laker’s 2008 success happening.  Once Derek joined the club, everything sort of started working out.  This is a hard one.  I think Derek needs a few years.  I know this isn’t much of a resolution, but if Derek could figure out how to stay healthy in the league, and going strong for another five years solid, I’d be very happy!

Pau Gasol: Pau, the Spaniard.   Pau’s New Year’s Resolution should be to stop taking Siestas during games.  We need Pau to be on point for the entire game, not just the second half of a game whenever he feels like working.  I’ve been to Spain.  They like tapas and siestas.  Enough Pau, we’re in America now.

Andrew Bynum:  Plain and simple, this dude needs a smile.  I’m not sure the last time I’ve seen Andrew smile. He needs to enjoy the game, for the love it, not because the “the Cap” told him stories about sky hooks and Wilt.

Kobe Bean Bryant:  Just for the record, I don’t think Kobe needs much of anything.  His game is awfully good.  Kobe just needs more championships.  Michael Jordan is the best player to ever play in the NBA.  But the fact that he wasn’t in a Laker uniform while doing it just kills me.  For me, the fan, I want Kobe to win more championships so I can tell everyone, the best NBA player ever, played for L.A.  And thats the truth!

Well, here’s to another year.  Hopefully the Lakers end up parading in down town Los Angeles and win L.A another championship.