As Christmas Day approaches, a panel of Last Word On Pro Basketball writers have answered some questions in the holiday spirit. This NBA Christmas Day roundtable will prepare you for the full slate of exciting games.
NBA Christmas Day Roundtable
What is your NBA Christmas wish?
Robbie Stratakos, staff writer: I wish for the NBA to find a solution to prevent the development and spreading of super teams. The answer is to implement a franchise tag, similar to that of the NFL. For example, if Kevin Durant was franchised tagged by the Oklahoma City Thunder over the summer, he would’ve been back with them on a contract worth the average of the top five salaries at his position. Durant going to the Warriors made the NBA even more lopsided than it already was, but by adding a franchise tag, the competition could metaphorically freeze. It would give smaller market teams, or teams fearful of losing their star players, a second chance to prove themselves, and make another run with their core, as well as a window that they have at their disposal in the present time.
Matthew Cardenas, associate editor: Fortunately, the wish I wanted from NBA commissioner Adam Silver actually just came true, to some degree. I really like that they’re going to let the players have a say in the All-Star Game starters. They are the ones who are actually playing, so they have the best say in who actually deserves the spots. While it is smart to let the fans be involved in the voting, it becomes more of a popularity contest. Even though Kobe Bryant is one of the greatest to ever play, he didn’t deserve to be the starter over the past few years. Now, the right players are more likely to be given the honor.
Lior Kozai, senior editor: I wish that the NBA would get rid of the whole concept of taking a charge. I’m not talking about illegal screens, extended forearms, or elbows to the face; those are all clearly offensive fouls. It’s just that when players set up for a charge, stand straight up, and essentially undercut an opposing player, it creates a legitimate danger on the court. That’s not defense, and it only leads to more injuries and less opportunities for the most entertaining players to make great plays. Instead of charges, players should do their best to contest shots without fouling. If that leads to more dunks and easy baskets at the rim, then so be it – the league is too dependent on three-pointers now, anyway, so this potential rule change may balance that out a bit.
Daniel Scheer, staff writer: My NBA Christmas wish is as simple as it gets. I wish that the game between the Warriors and the Cavaliers will not be a blowout. The most entertaining games between these two teams have come when the games were tight all the way down to the final buzzer. The last time these two teams faced off in the regular season, the Warriors absolutely crushed the Cavaliers by 34 points. The game was basically over before the fourth quarter, and that was just no fun at all. Remember Game 7 from last year’s NBA Finals? Every shot felt like it had a chance to be the game winner. That is really all I wish for.
Harrison Marcus, senior editor: On this Christmas Day, I wish for Santa Claus to bring a bit of luck under the Christmas trees of Sean Marks, Kenny Atkinson, and the rest of the Brooklyn Nets organization. As a Nets fan, the future obviously doesn’t look too bright the next few years. But with disciplined and intelligent decision-making, along with some luck from our favorite overweight, white-bearded friend from up north, the Nets could be fighting for a playoff spot sooner than most pundits would have expected. The Nets have the pieces to acquire a few more late first round and second round picks over the next few years; they just need to hit the jackpot with at least one of their picks. Find the next Jimmy Butler or Isaiah Thomas in the draft, and the road to contention all of a sudden becomes much clearer. Of course, this is no easy task, which is why I wish for Santa to bring me this instead of the iPhone 7 or a brand new Jeep.
Which player will perform the best on Christmas?
Robbie Stratakos, staff writer: While Christmas Day will feature very competitive and exciting match-ups, no player will steal the spotlight more than Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook. Westbrook has been exceptional this year, averaging a near triple double, and has proven to be the league’s hardest cover. His athletic ability and attacking mindset will be too much for the Minnesota Timberwolves. While the young Timberwolves do have phenom big man Karl-Anthony Towns and the athletic Andrew Wiggins, their defense as a whole has been lackluster. Expect Westbrook to steal the show and be the ultimate performer of the day.
Matthew Cardenas, associate editor: Everyone is mainly looking forward to Warriors-Cavs game, and I think the best performer on Christmas Day is going to come from that one. While everyone knows that he’s been the MVP the past two seasons, it feels like no one is really talking about Stephen Curry anymore. He is still having a good year while nearly having a 50-40-90 season. I expect him to come out firing on all cylinders and remind everyone that he’s a two-time MVP and one of the best players in the league.
Lior Kozai, senior editor: Tell me again, how does his name go?
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Oh, that’s right. LeBron James is the best player in the NBA, and he’s going up against the Warriors in a Christmas Day rematch of the last two NBA Finals. James might like to take it easy in the regular season, but this one means more than an average game. Expect James to bring it in a nationally televised home game, looking to prove that Golden State’s signing of Kevin Durant doesn’t elevate the Warriors past James’ defending champion Cavs team. If there’s one thing we’ve learned from the past five or so NBA seasons, it’s that betting on James is usually pretty safe.
Daniel Scheer, staff writer: The player that I think will step up and perform the best on Christmas Day is Jimmy Butler. When Butler is playing at his highest level, there is no one in the NBA who can stop him, not even the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Kawhi Leonard. If he’s in attack mode, get ready for Butler to do some damage and maybe even single-handedly win the game for the Bulls, even if they are heavy underdogs.
Harrison Marcus, senior editor: The best performer on Christmas Day will be Russell Westbrook. The front-runner for MVP has been nothing short of remarkable all season long. Averaging a triple double, Westbrook has a depleted OKC roster in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race. It feels as if Westbrook takes his competitive drive to a whole new level when the stakes are high in front of a national audience, and a Christmas Day match-up against the disappointing Minnesota Timberwolves should be an opportunity for him to dominate. Who’s going to guard him, Ricky Rubio? Oh, please. Expect Westbrook to have a field day, bringing one extra gift under the Christmas tree to the loyal Oklahomans with whom he decided to re-sign after…well…um…you know what happened this past summer.
Which team will win each Christmas Day match-up?
Robbie Stratakos, staff writer: All five games on Christmas Day feature superstar players, but five teams will ultimately suffer defeat. Expect Carmelo Anthony and the Knicks to win their match-up at home against the Celtics in front of the Madison Square Garden crowd. The Knicks have to prove that they’re capable of beating playoff caliber teams, and they’ll surely come out with a desperate mentality.
The best game of the day, Cavaliers vs. Warriors, will ultimately result in a Cleveland win. While the Warriors have the most talented starting five in the NBA, the Cavs are the defending champs, and they’re out to remind the NBA world.
The following Bulls–Spurs game, however, likely won’t be as competitive. The Spurs have quietly maintained the second-best record in the NBA, and they have superstar forward Kawhi Leonard. Their offensive firepower will be too much for Dwyane Wade and the Bulls to handle, resulting in a Spurs victory.
The game to follow will feature the walking triple double that is Russell Westbrook, and the Oklahoma City Thunder matched up against the young Minnesota Timberwolves. This game will ultimately result in a loss for the Timberwolves due to the Thunder’s backcourt duo of Westbrook and Victor Oladipo, who will both present defensive mismatches for Minnesota.
The final game of the holiday will be the battle of Los Angeles – Clippers vs. Lakers. While the Lakers have shown some encouraging signs this year, it won’t be enough to overcome the powerhouse team that the Clippers have become; the Clippers are still the big brother in town.
Matthew Cardenas, associate editor: I expect the Knicks to get a solid victory over the Celtics. Warriors-Cavs is going to go down to the wire, and I think the Warriors will get the win, which will help them mentally. Spurs-Bulls is going to be interesting, and my gut tells me that the Bulls get the win. I think Russell Westbrook will have a triple double and lead the Thunder to a win over the Timberwolves. And to be quite honest, I don’t think Lakers-Clippers will be very close. Clippers win easily.
Lior Kozai, senior editor: I’ll take the Celtics on the road in New York, the Cavs at home against the Warriors, the Spurs at home over the Bulls, the Thunder at home over the Timberwolves, and the Clippers over the Lakers on their shared homecourt. Boston needs to improve its seeding in the tight Eastern Conference playoff race, and I think the Celtics will prove to be the better Atlantic Division team. Cleveland, on the other hand, should aim to make a statement against Golden State, in a match-up of the two best teams in the league. San Antonio, Oklahoma City, and the Clippers are all simply much better than their opponents, even with L.A. missing Blake Griffin due to injury. The inconsistent Bulls may challenge the Spurs, but I think that the Thunder and Clippers will easily dismantle the Wolves and Lakers, respectively.
Daniel Scheer, staff writer: The first game on Christmas Day may be the hardest one to predict. The Celtics and the Knicks match up pretty well against one another, but based on skill alone, I am going to have to say that the Celtics go out on the road and take this one in a very tight contest. Last season, when the Warriors and Cavs met on January 18th, the Warriors had the Cavs leaving the arena embarrassed. This year, I think its going to be the exact opposite: the Cavaliers beat down on the Warriors and win by double digits. The Bulls have the tough task of taking on the Spurs in San Antonio, but I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that Jimmy Butler does everything he can for the Bulls, and they take down Gregg Popovich and the high and mighty Spurs. The Timberwolves going into OKC to battle the Thunder may be the most entertaining game of the day, as Wiggins and Towns will be taking on Russell Westbrook. I’m going to have to pick the home team in this one. OKC wins by less than five points. The last game of the night features a battle of the two Los Angeles teams. The Clippers look like serious contenders so far, while the Lakers are clearly rebuilding. The Lakers have looked decent while rebuilding, but they will be no match for the Clippers. Clippers win this one by a mile.
Harrison Marcus, senior editor: As much as it pains me to say this as a Nets fan, I do believe the Knicks will make a statement game on Christmas Day against the Celtics, proving they are a legitimate playoff team in the Eastern Conference. Expect Kristaps Porzingis to dominate from both the perimeter and inside against a Boston team that is off to a relatively slow start this season.
In the much anticipated NBA Finals rematch, I have the Warriors defeating the defending champion Cavaliers in dominating fashion. The Warriors will prove that they are the far superior team, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it will be a cakewalk in the Finals this year. Just as last year proved, regular season dominance does not mean a championship will be handed to you.
In the five o’clock match-up, I look forward to seeing Jimmy Butler and Kawhi Leonard go head to head, with Leonard and the Spurs ultimately squeaking by with a victory in a close and entertaining game.
As for the Oklahoma City vs. Minnesota game, Russell Westbrook’s dominance should be too much for the young Wolves to handle, but that doesn’t mean that Karl-Anthony Towns, Zach LaVine, and Andrew Wiggins won’t put on a show. This game will be a bit of a blowout, in my opinion, filled with plenty of Christmas highlights and a Thunder victory.
Wrapping up a jam-packed holiday of presents, music, and basketball, I think the Lakers will put on quite a show against the rival Clippers, pulling off the upset in Hollywood. Luke Walton’s squad will take down the Blake Griffin-less Clippers, who have struggled since their hot start.
Well, there you have it. I have every home team winning, bringing holiday joy to the home fans while sending the visitors home with bags of coal. Merry Christmas, everyone!
Main Photo:
March 11, 2016: Oklahoma City Thunder Center Enes Kanter (11) and Minnesota Timberwolves Guard Shabazz Muhammad (15) both going for a rebound at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, OK. (Photo by Torrey Purvey/Icon Sportswire) (Photo by Torrey Purvey/Icon Sportswire/Corbis via Getty Images)
