Gift-wrap these presents, please

VALENCIA (London Calling) - For the longest time this year, it seemed the NBA was headed for catastrophe.

Players and owners squabbled over riches that most people can only fantasize about.

Greed was prevailing over common sense and the NBA, in league commissioner David Stern's words, was careering towards a "nuclear winter".

Thankfully, the two sides gave a little and came up with a Collective Bargaining Agreement before all fans became alienated.

The lockout that had been in place since July 1 officially came to an end on December 8.

For those whose livelihoods depend on the NBA, Christmas came early.

Now that we have the NBA, what other presents would be gratefully received this holiday period?

1. For Britain to fall in love with basketball at the Olympics.

2. For Caracas native Greivis Vasquez to have a big year with the New Orleans Hornets - he was traded by the Memphis Grizzlies on Christmas Eve - and make Venezuelans even more excited about hosting the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

3. For Fuenlabrada, who lost two great prospects in centers Bismack Biyombo and Gustavo Ayon to the NBA, to reach the Spanish play-offs again.

4. For Australia and Russia to give the USA Women a run for their money in London to make for an exciting tournament.

5. For Argentina's Andres Nocioni to wear a jersey that doesn't have Philadelphia emblazoned on it so he can get some minutes.

6. For Afrobasket 2011 MVP Salah Mejri to duplicate his shot-swatting form with Tunisia at the Olympics.

7. For China to win at least twice in London and prove there is life after Yao Ming.

8. For the USA team that won the gold medal at the FIBA World Championship and earned their country the right to play at the Olympics to once again compete for Mike Krzyzewski.

9. For Spain playmaker Ricky Rubio to put a difficult year at Barcelona behind him and prove he belongs in the NBA and inject some life into a Minnesota team that needs it.

10. For Donatas Motiejunas to make Lithuania's national team and play alongside Jonas Valanciunas at the qualifying tournament in Caracas.

11. For Dallas Mavericks sharpshooter Rodrigue Beaubois to remain healthy all season and represent France at the Olympics.

12. For Bob McKillop to take Davidson College on another magical run in the NCAA Tournament that this time ends in the Final Four.

13. For F.Y.R. of Macedonia to build on their mind-blowing EuroBasket 2011 and reach London.

14. For humble and hardworking Brazilian duo Marcelo Huertas and Tiago Splitter to reach the Olympic podium.

15. For the gold-medal game in the men's basketball tournament to be just as exciting as the one played in Beijing between Spain and the USA.
 

Jeff Taylor

FIBA

FIBA’s columnists write on a wide range of topics relating to basketball that are of interest to them. The opinions they express are their own and in no way reflect those of FIBA.

FIBA takes no responsibility and gives no guarantees, warranties or representations, implied or otherwise, for the content or accuracy of the content and opinion expressed in the above article.