So a lot of people are just seeing the NBA Christmas day schedule and some people feel that the schedule isn’t that bad. Then there are some people that do not understand some of these matchups. I am on the side of the people who are not happy. The schedule looks like they were picked at random while playing 2k. The schedule is basically based on hope and or well-known names. Not EVERY GAME is bad. Really there are three games that don’t really make sense. What is even more disappointing is that the Clippers are even on the schedule… against the same team that they obviously, CANNOT BEAT!
Game 1: Pelicans @ Heat
This is what I meant by the schedule is based on hope. There is literally one person that the NBA truly care about in this game. Zion Williamson. There is a thing called the “Zion Effect” In his rookie year this past season the Pelicans got 30 national televised games. That is a franchised record, the big question is How long will Zion last in the game? Now it’s being reported that Zion will play Small Forward. Let’s hope that he does not have an injury like he did in college where he blew out of his shoe. It’s really hard to visualize someone that is about 300 pounds playing in arguably the most skilled position in basketball.
On the other side, it is the defending eastern conference champions. Feels like Miami is disrespected here. At least the Lakers get to play a team that made the playoffs year. Miami plays hard and well-coached. There’s a minor storyline here of Van Gundy coaching against his former team. It doesn’t scream NBA Christmas. So it shouldn’t be surprising that it’s the first game of the day.
What About Tampa?
I understand the NBA loves their rating but it’s not fair to the teams that DESERVE a game on Christmas. The Tampa Bay Raptors were the second best team in the east last year and they don’t have a game? I need someone to explain it to me. I’m not hating on Zion I get why he’s there. He is very unique and can be a cornerstone of the league if he is healthy. This next matchup is just as bad.
Game 2: Warriors @ Bucks
This is a matchup between will he or won’t he sign Giannis, and whatever the Warriors put together to get a 5th or 6th seed this season. Swap out the Warriors and put the Pelicans in this spot. Giannis and Zion would make an intriguing matchup because both of their games are so similar and plus both of those teams JUST TRADED WITH EACH OTHER SO THERE IS SIGNIFICANCE IN THE MATCH UP! I bet more people would watch the Bucks vs Pelicans than Bucks vs Warriors this year.
Klay Thompson will be missed very much this year. You can’t really talk about Steph without Klay at this point. Golden State is not what they once were and I don’t know if I’m the only one but I’m kind of tired of Giannis. I have watched him for the last three years and nothing has changed. Put the Pelicans in the Warriors’ spot so people can be more entertained. Instead of watching grandpa take a nap for a few hours.
Game 3: Nets @ Celtics
The battle of the moody boys against the… non-moody boys? It’s the best I’ve got to roll with it. This game is not bad, to be honest. The teams seem even. The Knick fan in me wants to see Brooklyn self-destruct during the game but obviously, it would be too early for that. It will be nice to see Kevin Durant playing basketball again and going across the country to avoid Lebron James.
The Celtics are looking to find their way to the finals. It seems like they keep getting closer and closer each year. Brooklyn will be a challenge for them early into the season. Plus Tatum just got a rookie extension so he will need to back it up early.
Game 4: Mavericks @ Lakers
Another matchup that I think people are ok with. The GOAT against Luka Doncic. Luka will win an MVP soon it’s just a matter of when. He is so damn skilled in what he does. The Christmas matchup is like 40 percent disappointing because Porzingis is not playing, and outside of Luka the rest of the Mavericks roster is average at best.
That shouldn’t matter because all eyes are going to be on the Goat, Anthony Davis, and the IMPROVED Lakers roster. They will be looking to make a statement against Dallas. To be honest this would be the only game the Clippers should play in because they really don’t deserve anything else other than the Lakers embarrassing them. Lakers and Mavs should be an exciting game with the Luka and Lebron.
Game 5: Clippers @ Nuggets
Of course Christmas ends with the least deserving team on the schedule. The Clippers. They played so bad in the playoffs the NBA said “This is so funny that we’ll even spare the Knicks this season.” No one cared about the Clippers until Blake Griffin showed up. The Brooklyn Nets of the west look to try to keep steady ship early in the season to try to keep the team from falling apart.
Spoiler alert they will. How does a team get worse and get treated like they just made the damn finals. Do not be surprised if the joker has a triple double on Christmas. Kawhi Leonard may have worse knees than Zion or even Greg Oden. He’s got knees of stone. Paul George is not worth the time to make fun of. He’ll be 2 for 21 from the field by the time I come up with something.
I expect Denver to beat the Clippers so bad that they decide to move to Seattle. THE CLIPPERS HAVE NO BUSINESS BEING IN LA AND PLAYING ON CHRISTMAS!!!
NBA Christmas: Who Was Left Out?
I know with all the problems going on in Houston. I still would like to see James Harden possibly drop like 60 on Christmas. His current style of play won’t win him a title but damn it we’d be entertained. Plus the Rockets have centers now and it would be nice to see Demarcus Cousins for a change. People quickly forget how good he use to be.
Dame Lillard is the most underrated player in the NBA. He is so fun to watch. So is Portland, no one ever knows what this team is going to do. They can get crazy hot or they can just disappoint. Like Harden I think fans would like to see Dame play on Christmas.
The Sixers are probably the one of if not the biggest shocker on the list. Why couldn’t they play the Clippers? it would be a good match. Two disappointing coaches with their two underachieving and injury prone stars. At least Doc can try to motivate the young guys. Key word is try. So now that I think about it… yeah maybe the Sixers should phone it in this year.
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