Kind of a gimmicky thing ESPN sometimes does but I like it for the NBA, especially this year with the amazing Christmas Day slate of games. So without further adieu, here are the gifts each team is looking for this Christmas season, Eastern Conference version...
Boston Celtics
The only thing Boston needs this season is to stay healthy. Obviously, KG is back to his 2008 form, Pierce is as clutch as ever, and Ray Allen shows no signs of slowing down. They need Rondo to come back from his ankle injury but most of all they need Kendrick Perkins to come back, and they need to their two big free agent signings, both named O'Neal healthy again.
New York Knicks
As great as the Knicks have been they still have a few holiday wishes this year. One would be to beat some quality teams which they can start doing right away after squandering an opportunity against the Celtics last week and getting shut down in the second half versus Miami two nights later. The Thunder and Bulls both come to the Garden this week, and the Florida trip awaits next week to Orlando and Miami. Something about Carmelo Anthony may also brighten up their spirits this holiday season but more on another time.
Philadelphia 76ers
After a 3-13 start the Sixers have won eight of eleven, but I think they're biggest wish is to make their own mark on the Philly sports scene. Mike Vick, Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay, and the first place Flyers all have their stake in the ground already, but if the Sixers can squeeze a 7 or 8 seed out of this young team led by Doug Collins, then the Philly sports scene will be complete.
Toronto Raptors
Although they haven't played terrible so far this season they clearly aren't contenders, so I think the best things the Raptors can wish for are more Demar Derozan dunks.
New Jersey Nets
More Melodrama found across the river in the dirty Jerz, however Nets fans and their owner must be pining for anyone to want to come to New Jersey for the next year or so before the team heads to Brooklyn. After LeBron, Wade, Bosh, Amare, Boozer, and David Lee all spurned the Russian billionaire they need to get someone in town to compete with the Knicks new cache - especially if Melo continues to his reluctance to sign an extension with anyone other than the Bockers.
Chicago Bulls
Healthy big men. They have an early season MVP candidate in Derrick Rose, a great second year player in Taj Gibson, and a resurgent Luol Deng. Only problems have been Boozer missing the first part of the season and just as he came back, Joakim Noah is going to miss major time. This all the makings of the 'team no one wants to play come playoff time,' if they can get their starting front court all healthy in time.
Indiana Pacers
Pacers fans have to pretty excited about their team's chances to sneak into the Eastern playoffs this year, so as for holiday wishes... how about more third quarters like this one?
Milwaukee Bucks
Not to harp on too many injuries because as you can already tell, every team has them in some way, shape or form, but the Bucks are another team struggling with role players filling in for starters. The Bucks just need to find some semblance of the offense they had last year when they claimed the sixth seed. They still have some time to get it right but they need to right the ship quickly.
Detroit Pistons
No doubt Pistons fans aren't excited for the day when Tayshaun Prince and Richard Hamilton are traded but at this point they have to be looking forward to some sort of rebuilding process and it starts by finding a taker for Prince's expiring contract and the three years remaining on Rip's deal. There are definitely a couple teams looking for a solid two-guard that may be willing to absorb Hamilton's nearly $50 million remaining.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Just hope the next time LeBron visits the Q it goes better than it did the first time.
Miami Heat
They pretty much got everything they could've asked for during Christmas in July, but I'm sure the players and coaches are hoping that their own fans would show up on time, at least for the important games. FAN UP MIAMI!
Orlando Magic
Gotta love their owner and GM for being bold and pulling the trigger early on a major deal. Now the fans and team have to hope Turk goes back to his former Magic self, and Gilbert Arenas has to go back to scoring 20 ppg and learn how to play a little defense for Stan Van. J Rich should fit in seamlessly but we won't know if the Magic's holiday dreams come true until May or June.
Atlanta Hawks
Not sure what else Hawks fans can hope for, but Joe Johnson must be hoping for one of two things: either more wins when he's in the lineup, or less wins for Atlanta when he's out of the lineup. Although I suppose he has $119 million reasons not to worry about a damn thing.
Charlotte Bobcats
At this point they just have to worry that anymore attempts to rebuild don't lead to their former players having career years. See: Tyson Chandler, Raymond Felton.
Washington Wizards
Dear Santa -
All we want for Christmas are two healthy knees for John Wall.
Sincerely -
Everyone connected to the Wizards organization.
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