2014 NBA Season Predictions: New Orleans Pelicans To Make The Western Conference Playoffs? Austin Rivers Claims 'This Is My Year!'

It is never too early for 2014 NBA Season Predictions. While most of the buzz of the offseason centered on the Eastern Conference, the West will host an insanely competitive playoff race with the way the teams are constructed. The New Orleans Pelicans vow to be in the middle of the fray.

Of course, any conversation about the Pelicans begins and ends with Anthony Davis. He is poised to be the next MVP not named LeBron or Kevin and his stint with Team USA as their starting center is definitely impressive.

However, New Orleans swung a great trade with one of their possible rivals for a playoff spot, the Houston Rockets. The Pelicans acquired disgruntled center Omer Asik, an imposing defensive presence in the paint, to pair with Davis to form the most fearsome defensive frontline in the West.

They were both impressive in the FIBA World Cup and more so when they faced each other. Opposing shudder at the thought that these two defensive specialists will be teammates next season.

However, another player that could be a factor in the Pelicans' flight is Austin Rivers. The son of LA Clippers coach Doc Rivers did his due diligence to improve his game. From Nola.com:

'I was constantly working the entire summer. I gained 10 pounds and I've got stronger in my upper body. This is my year. But I think at the end of the day, I think we all now understand we can only control what we can control. At the end of the day, we let all of the guys in the front office do their jobs. We just stick to what we do. We play.''

Rivers was wary about trade talks that involved him. Being a lottery pick, the former Duke Blue Devil has not quite lived up to his potential.

That would probably change now, since his own coach is making a strong endorsement:

''You have to admit that he has really improved his game. He's improved his shot. He finishes at the basket better than he did last year. His free-throw percentage came up. It's not where we want it, but it came up."

One more strong statement from Austin: "I've strictly worked on mid-range and getting my body stronger this summer. I've got both of those things and I'm ready to prove and show people that this year.''   

Would that be enough to make the playoffs in the cutthroat West? We'll have to wait and see.