NBA: Where Holidays Off Happen

 

Tuesday

BKN @ LAL (NBA TV) 10:30 EST

Nationally Televised. This might be the first game where the great Mike D'Antoni appears

NY @ NO (MSG/LP) 8 PM EST

If there's a God in heaven, there will be a portion of this game where I see Marcus Camby, a 38 year old veteran who was the basketball player I idolized as a kid. Guarding him will be Anthony Davis, the rookie who, due to a similar skill set, high draft position and late high school growth spurt has been endlessly compared to Camby. When I watch Davis, I'm reminded of the Marcus Camby who was an important part of the last elite Knicks teams, and the one who appeared on the last Knicks finals appearance. Davis is impossible to miss on the court. Even though the Knicks are a better team with a better record, this is a passing the torch moment like many others in the NBA, but with very special significance to me

Wednesday

LAC @ OKC (ESPN) 7:30 EST

Every OKC game against great competition will be scrutinized, especially when it's on ESPN.

DEN @ MIN (LP) 8 EST

Despite injury after injury, Minnesota continues to be amazing. I'm excited about both teams this year.

Thursday

No NBA games… There's 3 NFL games that I wouldn't want to miss.

Friday

OKC @ BOS (NBA TV)7:30

The trade that connects these two franchise was Jeff Green and Nenad Krystic for Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson 2 seasons ago. At the time, there were arguments to be made that Green was better. Now, Perk for all of his faults is a starter for OKC and Jeff Green missed all of last season and has generally struggled this season.

Saturday

CHA @ WAS (LP) 7PM EST

I like Charlotte. I'm a huge Michael Kidd-Gilchrist fan. I still believe in Bismack Biyombo. Even Thunder castaway Byron Mullens is on the team and playing well. If the playoffs started today, CHA would be the sixth seed. Washington is none of these things. They (as of 11/19/21) have no wins.

CLE @ MIA (LP) 7:30 EST

For the lulz. I always find myself feeling bad for Cleveland as a sport city. CC Sabathia and Cliff Lee, Indians products, going against each other in the World Series. The Ravens' success, much of it as a result of playing the new Browns. And now this game, where LeBron James, sporting a shiny new championship ring will, play against the Cavaliers, his old team, now without their best player for the next month.