Happy New Year, Thunder fans! A change of year represents a chance to reflect and redirect, so we at OKC ThunderCast collaborated to create resolutions we feel the Thunder should make for the 2009 part of this season.

• We will develop a mascot with a creative name and theme.

With this season firmly in the rebuilding category, the total game experience represents much of the attraction for fans, especially for those with kids. A mascot will provide a lasting, consistent point of connection between the Thunder and fans of all generations.

• We will stick with a plan.

The players should resolve to stick with a game plan, and strive to return to it when off track. No more games where we find a successful strategy in the first quarter, but then spend a fourth quarter trying to use something else to succeed.

• We will not implore the fans to chant “DEFENSE” every time the opposition has possession.

Let’s just chant defense at the pivotal times, when the players really need us. Chanting defense is fun and engaging, but when overused becomes tedious.

• We will limit our turnovers to 17 per night.

We understand that turnovers happen–you didn’t see that defender lurking or your man spins when you thought he would cut. No big deal. Just focus on limiting them to this threshold, and when the last 5 minutes roll around, we have a much better chance of being in the game.

• We will keep our hearts in the game.

The team should work hard to avoid accusations of playing without heart and hustle.

• We will pass the ball at least once before taking a shot.

A player dribbling the ball will occasionally be faster than an unencumbered defender, but a thrown ball should always be faster. We’ll get more opportunities if we work as a team.

• We will work fundamentals.

The Thunder will benefit from keeping a mental thread on the basics: free-throw shooting, ball handling, passing, and rebounding.

• We will score an average of five more points in the first 6:00 of the 3rd quarter.

This segment of the game really plagued us in the early going of the season, and it will rear its ugly head from time to time with today’s team. Making this resolution means putting our foot down on this achilles heel.

• We will succeed at the easy stuff.

When we have a fast-break with a two-on-one or three-on-two advantage, it can never result in a turnover again. We must score more layups than we bounce too hard off the glass. We must knock down open jump shots. We must take steals to our end of the floor, not lose them right away at half-court. Much of this game is incredibly difficult. But when it comes to the comparatively easy stuff, we should resolve to succeed more often than not.

• We will not high-five our teammates when we miss the first of two free-throws.

How about after you make that free throw?

• We will start over.

Don’t focus on either the losses or wins from the past. Just think about the next game, and give maximum effort for that 48 minutes.

• We will keep inviting the fans

Keep working to mature the game environment and presentation. Keep coming up with promotions and rewards for one of the best fan bases in the league.

So there are our thoughts. What about you? If you have resolutions you would like to see added to the list, send us an email. Auld lang syne, everyone.