NBA: A Christmas Fix That Even Phil Jackson and LeBron James Could Support
Phil Jackson isn't terribly fond of playing games on Christmas.
"I don't think anybody should play on Christmas Day," Jackson said Tuesday night. "I don't understand it."
He would then add:
"It's like Christian holidays don't mean to them anything any more, just go out and play and entertain the TV. It's really weird, but it is what it is. We have to go to work and make the best of it."
Of course, I see NBA games played during the eight days of Hanukkah, as well as during Passover, so as you can see the NBA is equal in playing games on religious holidays, plus no one complains about games taking place during Good Friday or Easter Sunday.
Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy echoed the same sentiments about playing on Christmas, and got fined for it, last season,
"I actually feel sorry for people who have nothing to do on Christmas Day other than watch an NBA game."
This year he handled it more diplomatically when asked about his Christmas Day tilt with the defending Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics stating,
"I think you just have to accept it, it's gone from the one game to the two games to the five games last year. It's part of the league. I had my say last year, I'm not going to have my say again. My owner paid for my comments last year, and he's not going to do that again."
Joining the anti-NBA on Christmas sentiment is LeBron James. Of course, since he had to say something about it, professional LeBron haters everywhere will talk about what a quitter he is for not wanting to play on Christmas Day. Here's what he had to say,
"If you ask any player in the league, we'd rather be home with our families, I think the people that even set the games up would rather be home with their family during this day. It's not just a regular holiday. It's definitely one of those days that you wish you could wake up in the morning with the kids and open up presents."
Its a sentiment I can agree with. Who wants to work on Christmas Day, you know other than proprietors of Chinese Restaurants?
But despite the anti-Christmas Day games comments from Jax, Van Gundy or LeBron, Christmas Day games are here to stay, and have been a part of the NBA since the beginning, For many basketball fans, seeing an NBA game on Christmas is a comfort, especially to those who tire of having to speak to in-laws that they're not particularly fond of.
But there is one problem I see: too many games!
I understand one, two or possibly even three, but five? No matter how much of a fan you may be (and I'm a huge NBA fan), how much basketball do you truly need to watch?
Luckily, I'm someone who's in favor of sporting events on holidays but believe in practicing moderation with them AND making sure that only the cream of the crop perform on them.
Let's take a look at how I'd do it, and you can give me some suggestions.
Rule No. 1: Maximum of 3 Games On Christmas
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We don't need five games on Christmas Day.
Say it with me.
We don't need five games on Christmas Day.
I know that some of you Nuggets, Blazers, Warriors and Thunder fans might disagree with me, but those games would be better served being played on the 26th.
Not because of the quality of the teams, but simply because five games are too much and those games don't have the appeal of the first three of the day.
While I advocated three, that might be pushing it, but here's why I chose three.
Rule No. 2: Regardless of Record, the Knicks Should Always Host a Christmas Game
2 of 6In my NFL Thanksgiving article I stated that record should have something to do with who plays on that day.
But with the NFL, by Thanksgiving the playoffs are just around the corner, while in the NBA, Christmas doesn't even mark the halfway point.
Because of this, tradition can reign supreme with at least one game, the one involving the New York Knicks.
Oh, and the game should be played at MSG too, and always have a start time of no earlier than 2pm, that way by game time the presents are already unwrapped and the children are already playing with the presents boxes.
This season's Bulls-Knicks matchup? A keeper this year and for many years in the future.
Rule No. 3: Win the NBA Finals, Host A Game Christmas Day
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Fans want to see the best compete on holidays.
The team that won the NBA championship the previous year is usually amongst the best on Christmas Day unless they suffer a rash of early-season injuries or hold a fire-sale.
In other words, no matter who wins the NBA title, the next season that team hosts a Christmas game against another top-tier team.
This year again, the nail got hit right on the hammer: the Los Angeles Lakers hosting the Miami Heat.
Rule No. 4: A Rematch of a Great Playoff Matchup from the Previous Year
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Of course, this could coincide with either the Lakers or the defending NBA champions.
Now for this year, well, it's a bit thorny.
While I did advocate the current Lakers-Heat game on the schedule, the best playoff series from last season happened to be the Finals.
But with Lakers-Heat most likely able to be a more anticipated Christmas Day matchup, plan B would be the second-best series, which, in my opinion, would be Celtics-Cavs.
But with how Cleveland is playing this year, plus what they're missing, that wouldn't exactly spread much Christmas cheer.
Celtics-Magic would be my third choice, which is what the matchup is this year.
Rule No. 5: Start Times
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This one is too simple.
Game 1: 2:30 p.m. (Christmas presents are already unwrapped, dinner is being prepared.)
Game 2: 5 p.m. (Odds are, dinner is ready at halftime.)
Game 3: 8 p.m. (Dessert is over, enjoying time with loved ones, nothing but Christmas specials on other stations.)
You're Welcome.
(All times Eastern.)
Photo Courtesy of Sexysantainc.com, which like the picture, has nothing to do with the article.
Conclusion/Happy Holidays
6 of 6Well, there's not really that much to fix with Christmas on the NBA except this: less is more.
You don't need five games when two or three will do.
Only the top teams or teams from big markets should play.
And of course, feature the biggest stars, even if they're so hated that people can't stop talking about them.
Either way, the NBA does overkill Christmas, much like I'm overkilling this article.
With that I leave you with a key part of any great Christmas, Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas" which is my favorite Christmas song music video of all time.
I also wish a Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday's to everyone reading this article, and a happy new year, may all of your Christmas wishes come true.
Unless you're Christmas wish is for the Miami Heat to fail.
I'm a Heat fan I had to fit that in somewhere!
Thomas Galicia is a Miami Dolphins Featured Columnist on Bleacher Report that will also write about the Chicago Cubs, Miami Heat and University of Miami Hurricanes from time to time. His favorite holidays are Christmas, New Year's, Halloween and LeBronica. For more of his musings, follow him on Twitter @thomasgalicia. Check out some of his past work on his site, www.thomasgalicia.com
