Happy New Year!

The SEVEN
by Mack Williams
1 January 2016

As we say a final, if not heartfelt, goodbye to 2015, let’s wish a Happy New Year to a few folks:

I. The Black Mamba

Happy New Year!Happy New Year and new life to one of the greatest basketball players of all time, Kobe Bryant, who has announced that 2016 will mark the end of his career. I’m still not convinced that his impending retirement isn’t more because of the extremely slow start he got off to as opposed to a desire to retire. Having seen MJ and Ali retire and return, I know it’s hard to give up that which has been so much a part of your life – especially when you think you still “got it.” Should Kobe finish strong, I would not be surprised if some reconsidering doesn’t occur.

II. G.O.A.T.

Happy New Year to the greatest 3-point shooter of all time, Steph Curry. To some it might seem like it’s a bit early to call the 27-year-old the best – and I am always one of the most skeptical ones when some kid is being anointed the next Magic or Mays or Marino before putting in any length of time – but Steph has made a believer out of me. And I was a huge fan of Reggie Miller.

Steph and his teammates on the Golden State Warriors are making the case that they are one of the great teams of all time…and some would say that the only team with a real shot to dethrone them is San Antonio, with their rising star and Defensive Player of the Year Kawhi Leonard.

III. Worst of all…

I’m sure the Philadelphia 76ers can’t wait for 2015 to hit the door. Their record seems to indicate that they are one of the worst teams ever…but it’s funny how every time some horrible team looks like they are about to break the 1972-73 Sixers’ record of futility – 9-73 – they win a bunch of games down the stretch. I imagine the same will happen this year with the-currently 3-31 Sixers, winners of two of their last three.

IV. The Washington Pro Football Team

Happy New Year to the Washington-based NFL team that is winning the NFC East. Or maybe Merry Christmas is in order, as they were in part gifted the division by injuries to Tony Romo in Dallas and Victor Cruz and Jason Pierre-Paul on the Giants, as well as poor trades by the Eagles.

Maybe 2016 will be the year they finally change their name.

V. Caitlyn

2015 has been pretty good to Caitlyn Jenner, even though a lot of people have a problem with Caitlyn. Here’s my take…when Cassius Clay said he changed his name to Muhammad Ali, I called him Muhammad Ali. When Lew Alcindor said he changed his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, I called him Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

So now that Bruce Jenner has become Caitlyn Jenner, I will call her Caitlyn. As for recognizing her as Woman of the Year as Glamour magazine did, that’s a non-starter. In a year where two women are serious candidates for the presidency Glamour gives the award to Caitlyn?

VI. Bob Dole

Happy New Year to Bob Dole. I never thought I would be looking back nostalgically at Republicans like him, but his comment about possibly oversleeping in November when faced with the prospect of voting for some of the leading Republican presidential candidates shows how far off the deep end that party has gone. Sleep tight, Sen. Dole.

VII. President Obama 

Finally, Happy New Year to President Obama. Happy last year…happy fourth quarter. Hopefully his team will be in a position for a first down, so as not to punt to the other team and lose some of the field position gained.