Chicago Bulls Center Pau Gasol described the experience of playing on Christmas Day as “sweet and sour;” articulating the mixed feelings that some NBA players hold about participating in hoops on the Yuletide.
I did a feature on the Chicago Bulls playing in the Christmas showcase games for the Chicago Tribune Red Eye edition. It contains feedback and insight from Chicago Bulls players Doug McDermott, Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson and Aaron Brooks in addition to Gasol.
Here’s the link to the full article, and you can read a snippet below:
“It’s a sweet and sour situation because yes, we do play on Christmas and a lot of people watch,” Pau Gasol said. “It’s always a special game and a special day, and it’s nice to be able to be on national television, but you don’t get to be at home with your family and celebrate with them.”
Last year, the Bulls hosted the L.A. Lakers on Christmas Day. This year they’ll travel to Oklahoma City on Dec. 24 to take on the Thunder the next day.
A holiday sports tradition continues as ABC and ESPN will serve as the Christmas Day home to the NBA for the 14th consecutive season. The Disney networks will combine to televise five games spanning more than 14 continuous hours of coverage – beginning at 11 a.m. CDT and going well past midnight.
Overall, it’s just one regular season game of 82, but it still falls on the most hyped up day of all, making it a date that everybody circles on their calendar. Here’s the full schedule-
11 a.m.
New Orleans Pelicans at Miami Heat
ESPN: Mark Jones, Kara Lawson, Israel Gutierrez
1:30 p.m.
Chicago Bulls at Oklahoma Thunder
ABC: Mike Tirico, Hubie Brown, Chris Broussard
4 p.m.
Cleveland Cavaliers at Golden State Warriors
ABC: Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson, Heather Cox
7 p.m.
San Antonio Spurs at Houston Rockets
ESPN: Ryan Ruocco, P.J. Carlesimo
9:30 p.m.
Los Angeles Clippers at Los Angeles Lakers
ESPN: Dave Pasch, Jon Barry, J.A. Adande
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and sometimes writes The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. The website is also featured on News Now.
Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes to the Chicago Tribune RedEye. He also appears regularly on numerous television and radio talk shows all across the country. Catch him Tuesdays on KOZN 1620 The Zone.
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