Imagine a world where you are an NBA superstar relaxing in Cancun following playoff elimination, before the phone rings. On a vacation, leaving your phone on silent is the way to go… unless the boss of all bosses calls. That man would be Adam Silver.
Adam Silver: “Hello, how are you?”
NBA Star: “I’m fine, how are you, Mr. Silver?”
Adam Silver: “I’m great, I know that you are in Cancun so I want to get to the point right away. Since we really need a great script for this season’s playoffs and to surprise NBA fans around the world, we decided to create a “Cancun” team. Every star that I reached out to has already accepted the offer. So, would you accept and join the team? We will immediately allow this team to play again in the NBA Playoffs, so you can start again from the First Round, but this time you will play in the Western Conference Finals against the winner of the Timberwolves and Nuggets?”
NBA Star: “Uuuh, this could be a good story, yeah – why not, Mr. Silver.”
Adam Silver: “Great, we will send you all the details in an email so you can sign and get your flight booked for tomorrow. See you soon.”
In this imaginary world, resting on the beach isn’t the way to go. Rather, putting the cocktail down and packing your bags means a one-way ticket back home to prepare for a chance to play in the NBA Western Conference Finals. This is how the story starts and from here, we will use all players who lost in the first round to create the real Cancun Dream Team.
NBA Star: LeBron James
Adam Silver: “Hi LeBron, we would love for you to headline our Cancun Team. The fans want to see you back in the playoffs and this is your chance to exact revenge on Denver!”
NBA Star: Stephen Curry
Adam Silver: “Steph, best wishes to you and the family. I know you want to be playing on the court right now, and since you have been watching the playoffs intently, why not team up with LeBron to play Denver?”
NBA Star: Kevin Durant
Adam Silver: “Hi Kevin! We are all disappointed about the first-round sweep, but we know you are great enough to be in the playoffs right now. We have LeBron and Steph already in, what do you say?”
NBA Star: Anthony Davis
Adam Silver: “Hey Anthony, I am sure you heard from LeBron about our Cancun team. Are you interested in being the starting center?”
NBA Star: Devin Booker
Adam Silver: “Hi Devin, it’s Adam Silver. Not sure if you heard from Kevin Durant, but we are very interested in gathering the best players who are eliminated in this year’s playoffs. You are clearly one of them, can you be our starting shooting guard?”
NBA Star: Trae Young
Adam Silver: “Hi Trae, hope you have enjoyed a little break from the NBA grind. Listen, I know you love basketball, so why not join our Cancun team that has Stephen Curry, LeBron James, and Kevin Durant? You clearly belong on the team.”
NBA Star: Zion Williamson
Adam Silver: “How are you feeling Zion? Are you well enough to play for our Cancun team? You would make it must-see T.V.!”
NBA Star: DeMar DeRozan
Adam Silver: “Hey DeMar, tough ending to your season. I know there was a lot you had to deal with, but we want to offer you a chance to be a part of our Cancun team. What do you say?”
NBA Star: Bam Adebayo
Adam Silver: “Hi Bam, you were a warrior in that Celtics series. We really appreciate your efforts, but want to give you another shot to play in our Cancun team”.
NBA Star: Domantas Sabonis
Adam Silver: “Hi Domantas, great efforts in this year’s playoffs! How about a chance to compete in our Cancun team, we could use a big man with your skillset!”
NBA Star: Brandon Ingram
Adam Silver: “Hey Brandon, hope you aren’t too down about this week’s playoff exit. We saw some great stuff from you this year, we want to give you a chance to get back to your best with our Cancun team. You can backup Kevin Durant and LeBron James if you’re interested.”
NBA Star: Tyler Herro
Adam Silver: “Hi Tyler, great effort in the playoffs! Great to see you handle the ball so well, would you like to be a backup guard in our Cancun team?”
With every single one of these 12 stars accepting the offer to shock the NBA world, here is what the final roster looks like.
Starting Lineup: Stephen Curry, Devin Booker, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis
Bench: Trae Young, Tyler Herro, DeMar DeRozan, Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson, Domantas Sabonis, Bam Adebayo
Cancun Superteam Playoff Run In 2024
In this iconic scenario, the Denver Nuggets eliminated the Minnesota Timberwolves, so the revenge of the eliminated players begins against Nikola Jokic and the reigning NBA champions. On the other side, the Oklahoma City Thunder will defeat the Dallas Mavericks to make the Western Conference Finals.
Cancun Superteam Against Denver Nuggets
In the first-round matchup between the Cancun Team and the reigning NBA champions, the Denver Nuggets, the series kicks off with a highly anticipated clash. Game 1 sees the Nuggets eager to defend their title, but the Cancun Team comes out strong, led by a dominant performance from LeBron James, who records a triple-double with 32 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists.
Kevin Durant adds 28 points and 9 rebounds, while Stephen Curry lights up the scoreboard with 6 three-pointers en route to 26 points. Despite Nikola Jokic’s 35-point effort for the Nuggets, the Cancun Team secures a convincing 120-110 victory to take a 1-0 series lead.
Game 2 proves to be a closely contested battle, with the Nuggets responding fiercely to even the series. Anthony Davis steps up for the Cancun Team with a double-double of 25 points and 12 rebounds, while Trae Young provides a spark off the bench with 18 points and 8 assists. However, Jamal Murray’s 30-point performance propels the Nuggets to a narrow 115-112 win, tying the series at 1-1.
As the series shifts to Cancun for Game 3, the home crowd energizes the Cancun Team, who deliver a commanding performance on their home court. LeBron James continues his stellar play with 34 points and 9 assists, while Brandon Ingram provides a boost off the bench with 20 points. The Cancun Team overwhelms the Nuggets with their offensive firepower, reclaiming the series lead with a resounding 122-105 victory.
Game 4 sees the Nuggets fighting to regain momentum, but the Cancun Team refuses to relent. Kevin Durant showcases his scoring prowess with 32 points and 11 rebounds, supported by Stephen Curry’s 28 points and 7 assists. Key contributions from Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo off the bench help seal a hard-fought 118-112 victory for the Cancun Team, giving them a commanding 3-1 series lead.
In Game 5, facing elimination, the Nuggets come out with a sense of urgency, determined to extend the series. However, Devin Booker delivers a clutch performance down the stretch for the Cancun Team, scoring 30 points including several crucial baskets in the fourth quarter. LeBron James adds 28 points and 8 rebounds to lead the Cancun Team to a 115-108 victory, closing out the series with a 4-1 win.
Result: Cancun Team vs. Denver Nuggets 4-1
Cancun Superteam Against Oklahoma City Thunder
In the second-round matchup between the Cancun Team and the Oklahoma City Thunder, anticipation is high as two dynamic teams clash in a battle for supremacy. Game 1 sees the Cancun Team asserting their dominance early, led by a stellar performance from Stephen Curry, who lights up the scoreboard with 35 points, including 8 three-pointers.
LeBron James showcases his all-around brilliance with 28 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists, while Kevin Durant adds 25 points and 9 rebounds. Despite a spirited effort from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who records 30 points and 7 assists for the Thunder, the Cancun Team secures a 122-112 victory to take a 1-0 series lead.
In Game 2, the Thunder come out with renewed determination, looking to even the series on their home court. However, the Cancun Team’s depth proves to be the difference as Trae Young sparks the offense off the bench with 20 points and 8 assists. Devin Booker adds 28 points, while Anthony Davis dominates the paint with 24 points and 14 rebounds.
Despite a standout performance from rookie sensation Josh Giddey, who tallies a triple-double with 18 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists, the Thunder fall short as the Cancun Team emerges with a 118-110 victory to take a 2-0 series lead.
As the series shifts to Cancun for Game 3, the home crowd energizes the Cancun Team, who deliver another commanding performance. Kevin Durant showcases his scoring prowess with 30 points and 11 rebounds, while LeBron James records a triple-double with 25 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds.
Brandon Ingram provides a spark off the bench with 18 points, helping the Cancun Team overwhelm the Thunder with their offensive firepower. Despite a valiant effort from Luguentz Dort, who contributes 26 points for the Thunder, the Cancun Team secures a 126-115 victory to extend their series lead to 3-0.
Game 4 sees the Thunder fighting to avoid elimination, but the Cancun Team remains focused on closing out the series. Stephen Curry once again leads the charge with 32 points and 9 assists, while Trae Young continues to provide a scoring punch off the bench with 22 points.
Despite a strong performance from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who records 28 points and 8 assists, the Thunder are unable to contain the Cancun Team’s offensive onslaught. With a balanced scoring attack and stifling defense, the Cancun Team emerges with a 120-108 victory, completing the series sweep and advancing to the conference finals.
Overall, the Cancun Team’s star power, depth, and playoff experience prove to be too much for the Thunder to handle as they sweep their way to the conference finals, setting their sights on the ultimate prize: the 2024 NBA Championship.
Result: Cancun Team vs. Oklahoma City Thunder 4-0
The NBA Finals
Cancun Superteam Against Boston Celtics
In the NBA Finals showdown between the Cancun Team and the Boston Celtics, the series unfolds with intense competition and high stakes. Game 1 sees the Cancun Team asserting their dominance early on, led by a masterful performance from Kevin Durant, who pours in 38 points and grabs 10 rebounds.
LeBron James showcases his versatility with 32 points, 11 assists, and 8 rebounds, while Stephen Curry adds 28 points and 9 assists. Despite a valiant effort from Jayson Tatum, who scores 35 points for the Celtics, the Cancun Team secures a 118-110 victory to take a 1-0 series lead.
In Game 2, the Celtics bounce back with a strong showing on their home court. Jaylen Brown leads the charge with 30 points and 8 rebounds, while Jayson Tatum adds 25 points and 7 assists. Derrick White steps up with a standout performance, contributing 20 points and 10 assists to fuel the Celtics’ offense. Despite a spirited effort from the Cancun Team, led by Kevin Durant’s 36 points and 9 rebounds, the Celtics emerge with a hard-fought 115-112 victory to even the series at 1-1.
As the series shifts to Cancun for Game 3, the home crowd energizes the Cancun Team, who deliver a commanding performance. Stephen Curry puts on a shooting clinic, draining 9 three-pointers en route to 42 points. LeBron James records a triple-double with 30 points, 12 assists, and 11 rebounds, while Devin Booker adds 25 points. Despite a strong showing from the Celtics, led by Jayson Tatum’s 38 points, the Cancun Team emerges with a 126-120 victory to take a 2-1 series lead.
Game 4 sees the Celtics fighting to avoid a 3-1 series deficit, and they come out with a sense of urgency. Jayson Tatum leads the charge with a spectacular performance, erupting for 45 points and 11 rebounds. Jaylen Brown provides support with 28 points, while Jrue Holiday adds 20 points and 9 assists.
However, the Cancun Team refuses to back down, with Kevin Durant once again leading the way with 40 points and 8 rebounds. LeBron James adds a triple-double with 35 points, 10 assists, and 12 rebounds, helping the Cancun Team secure a hard-fought 130-126 victory to take a 3-1 series lead.
In Game 5, facing elimination, the Celtics come out with their backs against the wall, determined to extend the series. Jaylen Brown leads the charge with a stellar performance, scoring 32 points and grabbing 9 rebounds.
Jayson Tatum adds 28 points, while Derrick White provides a spark off the bench with 18 points. Despite their best efforts, the Celtics fall short as the Cancun Team’s star power proves to be too much to handle. Kevin Durant leads the way with 38 points and 12 rebounds, earning Finals MVP honors as the Cancun Team secures the championship with a 122-116 victory, winning the series 4-1.
Result: Cancun Team vs. Boston Celtics 4-2
Finals MVP: Kevin Durant
Clearly, this Cancun team has the star power to win it all and a simple call from Commissioner Adam Silver could be the only way to get these 12 stars to buy into the plan. While this is only a dream scenario, it would be hilarious to see eliminated players team up to steal the 2024 NBA championship.
