By Mardeio Cannon | OBSERVER Columnist

We all can be “thankful” if we haven’t been personally stricken with a COVID-19 diagnosis as we approach another year of celebrating Christmas with our family and friends. 

However, life goes on and hopefully you and your loved ones will celebrate and reflect on the reason for the season during this hectic and joyous time of the year.

I was asked by my lovely wife what I wanted for Christmas. Being a blessed man, I couldn’t think of anything to tell her.

However, I can think of several things that I want for Christmas and next year — God willing — in the world of sports.

  • The Sacramento Kings go on a 10-game winning streak and compete for the 6th spot in the NBA playoffs — as I have predicted!
  • No more Sacramento Kings players go on the NBA’s COVID-19 Health and Protocols List that requires the players and coaches to miss games, and NO more serious injuries to KEY players!
  • The San Francisco 49ers win all their remaining games and are a serious threat in the upcoming NFL playoffs!
  • NBA and NFL games are NOT cancelled because of the Omicron surge as sports teams should require “proof of vaccination of fans” before they are admitted to stadiums and arenas.
  • Serena Williams’ health improves and she competes and wins her next major, the French Open, as she ties Margaret Court for most major wins by a female in tennis.
  • The Sacramento Kings get rewarded with the 2026 NBA All-Star game, which will generate close to $200 million for the Sacramento economy!
  • Bubba Wallace will win the biggest race on the NASCAR calendar next year, the Daytona 500.
  • Mayor Darrell Steinberg lands his whale and the City of Sacramento finally gains entry into the Major Soccer League.
  • Sacramento native Cameron Champ wins the 2022 Masters golf tournament in dramatic fashion on the last hole!
  • Marcus Freeman, the first-year African American head football coach at Notre Dame, leads the Fighting Irish into the college championship playoff next year
  • Tiger Woods recovers from his serious automobile accident enough to join the PGA tour and wins his favorite major, the British Open.

Wishing all of you, the best of health and God’s blessing to you, your children and grandchildren as you celebrate Christmas this year! Merry Christmas!