The menu for the NBA’s annual Christmas feast is now available. No expense has been spared.
It’s an entire day’s worth of meatloaf, cranberry slices, Brussels sprouts, eggnog, and fruitcake. You all can fill your stomach.
enjoy.
Or better yet, pull up your NBA cups and bottoms.
Indeed, bottoms up seems to be a foreign concept to NBA schedule-makers.
Want a fun holiday matchup? How about showcasing the teams that have made an entertaining first third of the season?
Like the Cavaliers, Thunder, Grizzlies and Rockets.
Even the Pacers and Hawks have had heartbreaks recently.
So are LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Paul George and Kevin Durant, but for different reasons.
Alas, it’s Christmas and everyone has to eat. So here’s how I would rank five nationally televised games on a strictly digestible basis…
1. Spurs-Knicks
Here is your cranberry slice. At least it has some juice in it. Lew Alcindor vs. Alvin Hayes. Except at the 3-point line. Can you imagine what John Wooden’s reaction would be when he saw the giant Alcindor bomb 25 feet away? Guy Lewis instructing the mighty Hayes to anchor the defense on the sidelines?
This is what the game has become. And it has to be said, it can be enjoyed in small doses. wembanyama is the new lebron-An unstoppable force for the next few decades. They need such games to leave their mark on the national psyche. Thank God Santa gets his work done out west quickly. The day’s best basketball tips at 9am
2. 76ers-Celtics
November 8, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) handles the ball against Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagine Images The card features two regional rivalries that used to be entertaining but rarely recapture their glory days. This is one, although it looks like the 76ers have found a winning formula. Now let’s see if the NBA—wink, wink—cites office closures for the holidays when announcing the late suspension of Joel Embiid’s game.
Few players in the NBA are more polarizing than Jayson Tatum. You either love his son or hate his sense of entitlement. You make the call: Focus on Tatum on defense in this game. He’ll be given the easiest assignments, eight rebounds will be put in his bag because he’s not guarding anyone, and one broadcaster will inform us, “He’s doing all the little things” when he struggles offensively, As he regularly does under bright lights. And his son will get more airtime than Taylor Swift.
3. Lakers-Warriors
October 25, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) practices before the game against the Utah Jazz at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagen Images LeBron vs. Curry used to be must-see TV. It’s got a premium spot in this lineup, so obviously some advertisers think that’s still the case.
But let’s be honest… if this game had been on December 26, chances are both would have been given an old man’s leave. LeBron has played through pain and suffering to show his greatness in recent games. Curry… Well, the guy who thought stripping him off the ball was a brilliant idea doesn’t understand the No. 1 rule of defense: It’s easier to protect a man with the ball than it is without the ball. Tatum theory.
4. Nugget-Sun
December 13, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) and forward Royce O’Neal (00) react during the game against the Utah Jazz during the first quarter at the Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray – Imagen Images If it weren’t for two major flaws, each of which were predicted long ago, the game would have a higher rating. First of all, this is a rematch of a game that happened two nights earlier on another site, so been there, done that. That said, it won’t be difficult to improve after the 117-90 setback.
And secondly, on teams that are always dealing with injuries, injuries will keep at least one key performer (Devin Booker) and possibly another (Jamal Murray) out of action. This turns it into an exciting duel of rosters with less depth than the University of Arizona football team on portal opening day. Appropriately, the Grand Canyon State will host a last-call Christmas slumber party.
5. Timberwolves-Mavericks
December 23, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) celebrates during the second half against the Portland Trail Blazers at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagen Images Where’s flex scheduling when you need it? The Timberwolves are playing the worst basketball in the NBA north of the Big Easy—did you know that the Mississippi River connects Minneapolis and New Orleans? – Lost their last three games to the Knicks, Warriors and Hawks by a combined total of nearly 100 points. Not the type of team you want to showcase.
Sure, the Mavericks feature Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson. But are they real? Doncic is easily getting back into the lineup after injury, which makes this cakewalk a prime candidate for a night off. Also, expect to see more from Irving and Thompson than their performances. Keep an eye on the Olivier-Maxence Prosper. Or not. A fresh fruitcake—especially after meatloaf—can be greatly underrated. Or not.
