2014 is over and the Phoenix Suns are still hanging on to the eighth and final playoff spot in the brutal Western Conference. Last year's Cinderella squad is 18-16 through the first two months of the season and sits just a game ahead of the ninth place New Orleans Pelicans and a game and a half in front of the 10th place Oklahoma City Thunder. Here are five things the Suns can look forward to in the New Year.

The rise of Alex Len

Nine games ago, the Phoenix Suns shook up their starting line-up by benching Miles Plumlee for second year center Alex Len. The Phoenix Suns have gone 6-3 in those games, the three losses coming by two, four, and three points. When drafted fifth overall in 2013, Alex Len was thought of as a "raw" player, someone who showed big time potential and could contribute a few years down the road. Apparently, Len did not like those predictions, as he has shown he is ready to contribute now. In nine games as a starter, Alex Len has averaged a surprising 7.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks on nearly 57 percent shooting in only 22 minutes. That's an average of 12.4 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 3.6 blocks per 36 minutes. Only Nikola Vucevic of Orlando and Andre Drummond of Detroit average over 12 points per game and 11 rebounds. Those two are considered rising stars in this league, and Len is in the same company. What is scarier is that Len only appeared in 42 games last season, meaning he has only played in 76 career NBA games. This kid is, essentially, still an NBA rookie. Throw in the intangibles that do not show up in the stat sheet, such as protecting the rim, and the Suns have themselves something special. Sure, he has his flaws, notably getting in early foul trouble, but Suns fans need to pay close attention because they could be witnessing the rise of a star.

Mini-LeBron?

The Phoenix Suns gave Eric Bledsoe a five year, $70 million contract this past summer. National pundits had mixed reactions about this, most thinking Bledsoe's payday was a little higher than what he deserved. Eric Bledsoe is making them eat their words. He has averaged 16.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.8 assists on 44 percent shooting this season. He also blocks almost a shot per game and is a tremendous athlete. His defense is up there with the best, though sometimes he gets a little excited on that end of the floor. He has also orchestrated countless highlight reels through these first two months, mainly on the defensive end. Throw in two triple-doubles, including a 27 point 16 assist 11 rebound performance against his former mentor Chris Paul, and you've got yourself a real interesting player. These stats, however, are factoring in his sub-par start to the season. He has been even more impressive in his last seven contests, putting up 21 points, 7.4 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and just 2.5 turnovers per game. Those numbers are unreal. Eric Bledsoe looks like a 6-foot-1 inch LeBron James. What makes Bledsoe even more intriguing is that he just turned 25 years of age a couple of weeks ago. Over the last month, this man has been clutch for Phoenix. He drives to the bucket and either scores or gets to the line with ease. This man is a triple-double waiting to happen each night he steps on the court. His production has fans drooling over what he can be in his prime. If these past seven games are any indication, the Suns may have that star who can carry this team to the playoffs.

Home-heavy Stretch

This team has played 20 of the first 34 games on the road. That is second most in the NBA. Some teams, such as Memphis and Houston, have played as little as 14 road games. They play four of the next six on the road as well. After that stretch, they play 25 of the final 42 at home, including an eight game homestand to end January. There is no bigger advantage in the NBA than playing in front of your home crowd in your own gym. Only two teams play more home games than the Phoenix Suns the rest of the way. Sure, the Suns have been better on the road this season, going just 7-7 in 14 home games, but there is no denying players would much rather play at home. Tough home losses to Charlotte, Orlando, Detroit, and Milwaukee have given the Suns a reputation of vulnerability at home this season. That needs to change, and the Suns have one of the biggest weapons needed to make the playoffs this season, that weapon is called playing in Phoenix.

Go Lakers, Go *Assuming lottery does not change draft order*

Confused? Baffled? Shocked? Don't be. Rooting for Kobe Bryant and the Lakers has to be one of the toughest thing to do as a Suns fan, but it's the right thing, for this season only. The Phoenix Suns are owed Los Angeles' first-round pick this year due to the Steve Nash trade back in 2012. This pick has top-five protection, which means if the pick falls outside of the top five, the Phoenix Suns will obtain it. How do the Lakers get a draft pick higher than five? WIN GAMES. As of right now, the L.A. Lakers hold the sixth worst record in the league. As long as Kobe is running the show, the Lakers should hold better records than New York, Philadelphia, and Minnesota. The Suns will need Utah, Detroit, or Charlotte to finish with a worse record than the Lakers come seasons end. This upcoming draft is loaded with big men oozing with big time potential. The Suns gave the Lakers a 38-year old Steve Nash who is currently facing the possibility of retirement, in exchange for two first round picks and two second rounders. Archie Goodwin was selected in 2013 with the pick obtained from that trade. The Suns would love nothing more than to put a final nail in the Lakers' franchise's coffin by taking a top 10 pick from them, at a time they desperately need young talent. Go Lakers, go.

Playoff Basketball

The Phoenix Suns are a good basketball team. Their record may not show it, but do not let that fool you. Isaiah Thomas has missed nine games due to injury, and Dragić has missed two, yet the Suns still sit in the playoff picture in what could end up being the most winningest conference in NBA history. They have dropped lots of close ones, most of which they should have won. Their last three losses were by an average of three points. They have already beaten San Antonio, Golden State, Washington, and Dallas (two times). They lost to the Clippers in L.A. by one point at the buzzer and recently dropped one in OKC by three in overtime. This team can hang with the powerhouses of the Western conference. They have had two buzzer-beaters dropped on them, and tough home losses to Eastern conference bottom feeders. Now, the Phoenix Suns have figured it out, going 6-2 in their last eight games, which included a six game win streak, proved it. This 18-16 team can easily be 21-13, or better if it weren't for a couple of lucky bounces. This team has the much needed depth to overcome an injury, unlike some other teams. The entire team looks like they have their roles locked in and are embracing them. Opposing teams have trouble defending the Suns potent trio of point guards. This team has shown flashes of last year's team during this stretch. Nearly every single national pundit has already locked in the Thunder as the final playoff team out West, knocking the Suns out sooner, rather than later. With a home-heavy second half schedule, a motivated, hungry Suns team that has been doubted every single day since the beginning of last season will make the playoffs in 2015. And that is what the Suns should be looking forward to most.