Christmas games

[Mark2010]

So the NBA had its allotment of five nationally-televised games on Christmas again this year? Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson is among the most vocal critics of the schedule, saying in an AP story earlier this week that Christmas is a "holy day" and the league should not schedule games. Of course, Jackson's Lakers are one of the teams that seems to wind up playing on Christmas every year.

For the second straight year, the NFL had a Christmas night game. And figures to have at least one, maybe two, next year when Christmas falls on a Sunday. (In past years, the NFL has moved the larger portion of its schedule to Saturdays when Christmas falls on a Sunday.)

The NHL continues to not schedule games on Christmas. There were a few college basketball games on the schedule.

While it may be enjoyable to kick back and watch games on TV on a holiday, it's probably a far different story for those actually working them: be they players, reporters, or even concession stand workers at the arenas.

So what's your take? Good idea or bad one?

 

[sgreenwell]

I think limited games are good. The five that the NBA does seems like a bit much - that's about a third of the league. But speaking as a guy who doesn't really have much of a Christmas tradition or time commitment on the day itself, I like being able to watch a game or two.

 

[Football_Bat]

A thousand people working a Christmas game trumps the other 308,999,900 who aren't?

Poor argument.

 

[Shaggy]

My wife worked so I watched a couple of NBA games today, but I'm not a big fan of it.

I feel bad for the players and coaches, but more so for all the arena workers, and the sportswriters and others who can't have one freaking day where they know they can be with their family.

My wife works at the hospital so that's different. But sporting events on Christmas is unnecessary, so don't do it.

 

[Rumpleforeskin]

Pay me $15 million per year and I'll play every single holiday I can.

 

[Shaggy]

Pay me $15 million per year and I'll play every single holiday I can.

What about the usher making $9 an hour?

 

[93Devil]

If you go into entertainment, healthcare, religion or emergency services, there is a good chance you will work Christmas Day.

Don't want to work Christmas Day? Go into education.

How many of these players who are bitching snuck in a Chistmas Eve service?

 

[Chef2]

Did you hear what Stan Van Gundy said?

He said the NBA should INCREASE the games from 5 to 10.

Start them at Midnight and go all day AKA the 24 hours of college basketball.

Doc Rivers already said he loves the idea, and wants the Midnight game.

 

[MileHigh]

Too many games. What's wrong with just one day of the year, everyone taking a day off?

 

[Baron Scicluna]

Too many games. What's wrong with just one day of the year, everyone taking a day off?

They already have that. Christmas Eve.

Plus the day before and after the MLB All-Star Game.

 

[printdust]

Hey, the fair tradeoff is Hawaii in a bowl game.

Phil Jaxplays coaches on Easter. That's a holy day. How about Passover, Purim, Shavout? Jax's a Zen Buddhist. How about monthly Mindfulness days and Buddha's birthday?

 

[printdust]

If you go into entertainment, healthcare, religion or emergency services, there is a good chance you will work Christmas Day.

Don't want to work Christmas Day? Go into education.

How many of these players who are bitching snuck in a Chistmas Eve service?

Healthcare, my ass.

A friend of mine's father got sent to the hospital with huge kidney stones on Dec. 23. They are merely sedating him until the 27th, as not to inconvenience the money-grubbing doctors who are off filling their stockings with cars, pricey jewelry and the latest in high-tech. In what limited nurses were still working: "It's Christmas."

Word to the wise: If you're going to get sick on Christmas, make sure its a massive coronary. They might have to resuscitate you in the ER if they have enough staff on board there.

 

[Armchair_QB]

Bring back the Blue-Gray Game.

And play the Hawaii Bowl to Christmas Day.

 

[printdust]

Bring back the Blue-Gray Game.

And play the Hawaii Bowl to Christmas Day.

My great-grandfather LOVED the Blue-Gray game. Loved the college all-star games just like they were the Super Bowl. And he wasn't an NFL scout. Why he had that passion I have no idea, but it was a nice memory of Christmas past. Thanks for throwing that out for chat.

Wait, I just remembered. He was an avid reader of all things Civil War. Must have had a connection there. Damn, it's been 20 years since he died and I just realized that. Wow.

 

[TheSportsPredictor]

All those poor players who missed Christmas Day mass.

**** Phil Jackson. His teams stay home on Christmas Day every year anyway.

 

[mustangj17]

Phil Jackson has a point. The NBA sucks and nobody cares. They should play another night when an equal number of people won't watch the games.

 

[farmerjerome]

If you go into entertainment, healthcare, religion or emergency services, there is a good chance you will work Christmas Day.
Don't want to work Christmas Day? Go into education.
How many of these players who are bitching snuck in a Chistmas Eve service?

Healthcare, my ass.
A friend of mine's father got sent to the hospital with huge kidney stones on Dec. 23. They are merely sedating him until the 27th, as not to inconvenience the money-grubbing doctors who are off filling their stockings with cars, pricey jewelry and the latest in high-tech. In what limited nurses were still working: "It's Christmas."
Word to the wise: If you're going to get sick on Christmas, make sure its a massive coronary. They might have to resuscitate you in the ER if they have enough staff on board there.

I'll second that. On Thursday my grandmother developed fluid around her lungs. You'd think that's serious -- but no. She would have had to suffer until Monday if my mom hadn't thrown a fit. She's developed another problem today -- but that has to wait until tomorrow because no one is on now.

 

[Smallpotatoes]

Too many games. What's wrong with just one day of the year, everyone taking a day off?

There are millions of reasons to play on Christmas.

They all have George Washington's picture on them.

 

[Chef2]

Too many games. What's wrong with just one day of the year, everyone taking a day off?

There are millions of reasons to play on Christmas.

They all have George Washington's picture on them.

If you watched any of the games yesterday, the NIKE Christmas shoes are available online now.

Also unveiled the Red, Yellow, Green; Kobe wearing the Grinch Green ones with Red Laces; LeBron wearing the Red ones with the Green Laces; Durant wearing the all-Yellow ones.

Actually looked pretty slick, but the Green ones didn't do much justice on TV.

 

[heyabbott]

Phabulous Phil often forgets that he is merely the coach for professional entertainers. It's his job to get his charges ready to entertain the paying customers. They, and by extension, he, exist solely for the pleasure of the dirty masses and middle class consumers of retail goods and services. So if the market calls for his employer to provide entertainment on December 25, then Phil needs to strap it up and get his idiot-savants ready to entertain the folks.

FWIW, Frank, Dean and Sammy worked about 40 New Years Eves. If they can do it, Phil can show up and have a courtside seat for a few hours.