NBA: Team-by-Team Wishes For The New Year
It’s always been said that for the players, Christmas Day is the official start to the NBA season. With the holiday season in full effect, we take a look at what each team is wishing to come true in 2014.
Oklahoma City Thunder
The time is now: Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook to win their first NBA championship.
Portland Trail Blazers
LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard are both All-Stars and help lead Rip City to the conference finals.
Indiana Pacers
To host a Game 7 on their own court, this time eliminating the Heat to go to the NBA Finals.
Miami Heat
A fourth straight Finals appearance and another regular-season MVP and Finals MVP for LeBron James.
San Antonio Spurs
One last title run with the trio of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili.
Golden State Warriors
Stephen Curry, Andre Iguodala and Andrew Bogut all remain healthy and Mark Jackson coaches the Warriors the the Western Conference Finals.
Houston Rockets
James Harden finishes as a top-five MVP candidate, Dwight Howard wins Defensive Player of the Year and the Rockets host a first-round playoff series.
Phoenix Suns
Eric Bledsoe wins the Most Improved Player award.
Boston Celtics
A 7-footer by the name of Omer Asik, who would give the team a legit starting center and defensive force on the interior. Rajon Rondo and Avery Bradley on the perimeter and Asik inside defensively? Teams would have a tough time scoring.
Brooklyn Nets
To have Deron Williams stay healthy and lead the team into the playoffs. It’s going to come down to his play, especially with Brook Lopez out for the remainder of the season and the ineffectiveness of veterans Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce.
Atlanta Hawks
Jeff Teague makes his first All-Star Game, along with Al Horford, locking up a top-three seed in the conference.
Los Angeles Clippers
Chris Paul wins MVP and the Clippers reach the Finals, as Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan continue to improve under Doc Rivers.
Los Angeles Lakers
Kobe Bryant is able to return from the Achilles and knee injuries at least 75 percent of his normal self and the Lakers clinch the last playoff spot in the conference.
New York Knicks
To pull off a trade for Kyle Lowry, who would be a sizable upgrade over Raymond Felton. Lowry’s numbers this season: 15.2 points, 7.0 assists, 3.9 rebounds per game, 18.01 player efficiency rating. Felton’s numbers: 10.5 points, 5.1 assists, 2.4 rebounds, 11.54 PER.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Kevin Love to finish third in the MVP voting.
Sacramento Kings
Ben McLemore establishes himself as a top up-and-coming shooting guard by the end of the season on a more consistent basis.
Dallas Mavericks
A playoff push is made one last time with this current group before reloading around Dirk Nowitzki in the summer through free agency.
Washington Wizards
John Wall makes the All-Star team and the Wizards win a first-round playoff matchup.
Philadelphia 76ers
For Michael Carter-Williams to win Rookie of the Year and pair him with a top-five pick in the 2014 draft.
Utah Jazz
Trey Burke finishes third in the Rookie of the Year votings and Utah lands a top-three draft pick.
New Orleans Pelicans
Anthony Davis wins Most Improved Player, the All-Star Game MVP and Defensive Player of the Year.
Toronto Raptors
To trade Lowry, win the No. 1 pick and then draft hometown freshman phenom Andrew Wiggins out of Kansas.
Chicago Bulls
First and foremost, a speedy recovery for Derrick Rose, who’s hinted at a possible return later this season if his knee is healthy enough. Second, if they fall out of the playoff hunt, to trade one of their veteran contracts (Luol Deng or Carlos Boozer) and acquire draft picks.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Andrew Bynum plays out the remainder of the season and paired with Kyrie Irving, the team makes the playoffs.
Orlando Magic
To trade Arron Afflalo to a contender and Victor Oladipo beats out MCW as the top rookie.
Detroit Pistons
Andre Drummond makes the All-Star team and continues to build upon his stellar sophomore season emerging as one of the game’s best young centers. Also, that Josh Smith stops attempting so many 3s a game (averaging 4.1 per game, the most of his career)
Denver Nuggets
Ty Lawson is an All-Star and leads the Nuggets to another playoff berth.
Memphis Grizzlies
To acquire a draft pick and a young player for Zach Randolph, jumpstarting the retooling process for the franchise.
Milwaukee Bucks
To have Giannis Antetokounmpo thrive in his new starting role.
Charlotte Bobcats
Michael Jordan sees his Bobcats make a return trip to the playoffs! How likely is that?