For the NBA fan, Christmas Day is a pretty good day to say the least since you not only get open your presents but you get to watch a plethora of NBA games on the television.
Well, some of the players and coaches who are playing/coaching on Christmas Day aren't too thrilled about it.
We get more from ESPN Los Angeles and Pro Basketball Talk:
It's an annual holiday tradition: put the star on the tree and put the Los Angeles Lakers on TV.
And Lakers head coach Phil Jackson is tired of it.
"It used to be two teams," Jackson said. "It used to be Phoenix and L.A. and New York and Boston or New York and Philly or somebody on the East coast. Now I see that they have like six games on Christmas."
There are actually five games scheduled by the league this year -- the Chicago Bulls at the New York Knicks; the Boston Celtics at the Orlando Magic; the Denver Nuggets at the Oklahoma City Thunder; the Portland Trail Blazers at the Golden State Warriors; and the Miami Heat at the Lakers.
"I don't think anybody should play on Christmas Day," Jackson said. "Soccer teams don't play this time of year, they take a break. I don't understand it.
James and his Heat are in Los Angeles for a green Christmas and a game against the Laker, but he told the Associated Press he’d rather be home in South Beach.Geez, what a bunch of Grinches but at least Dwayne Wade saves NBAville with this quote from TrueHoop,
“If you ask any player in the league, we’d rather be home with our families,” James said. “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.”
Doc Rivers told WEEI that the NBA is saturating Christmas and making it too commercialized or something.
“I wish they would reduce the games on Christmas,” Rivers said Tuesday. “I thought it was more special when it was two games. Now they it’s up five games. I think that’s too many.”
That's the spirit, Wade and good tidings to you as well....
Dwyane Wade says the trick is to just count your blessings, and celebrate another day: "We're blessed to be working on Christmas. But you make time, either the night before, or the day after. I'll be able to get a little Christmas time with my family. They'll adjust to my schedule. We'll be fine. To be in Los Angeles for Christmas ... it's not the worst thing. And I'll see my family in Miami when I get back home."