The Night Before Christmas
Santa?Going to sleep tonight knowing that the 27-2 Celtics will meet the 23-5 Lakers tomorrow for the first time since last June is just about as close as it gets to the feeling that every little kid has, knowing that come tomorrow morning, Santa will leave presents stocked under the tree. The Finals rematch might not be equivalent to one of those Lexus IS 300’s with the big red bow on the top, but it’s definitely up there with a brand new video game system. When the NBA made the League schedule at the beginning of the season, it was a no-brainer to put this game on the Christmas Day slate. But it legitimately could not have turned out any better. Think about it – you’ve got the 19-game C’s streak on the line, the “Beat L.A.” cheers that surfaced during the fourth quarter of the Boston/Philly game on Tuesday (and have since echoed in Beantown’s Cask & Flagon for 48 hours), the Lakers’ recent 2-2 roadtrip, Mamba’s bloodlust for revenge, and the added deprivation of hoops for the last 24 hours – it’s easy to see how this game is David Stern’s wet dream. So get in your sixth viewing of Die Another Day in the last three days on Spike’s Christmas James Bond marathon, because that game could very well end up being the regular season game of the year… While we’re getting giddy about the quality of basketball in Los Angeles tomorrow, the biggest news around the League today touches on the exact opposite side of the spectrum, as two guys who haven’t logged a single minute all season somehow still managed to make national headlines. Steve Francis was dealt to Houston along with a 2009 2nd round pick in exchange for a conditional 2nd rounder in 2010. How ironic is it that after refusing to play for the Grizzlies and forcing their hand to trade him to the Rockets before ever suiting up, Francis was dealt back to that franchise without having any real say at all this time around? In that first trade, Franchise was swapped for Michael Dickerson (plus some other peripheral pieces). But now, the washed-up former All-Star was only worth a second-round pick. That’s gotta be a blow to the ego… And while Francis is now in Memphis, there’s a chance that another expensive bench decoration could be on the move. Eddy Curry has been spotted hanging around the rest of his team – something that is not the norm – and he could commence on-court drills for the first time this year tomorrow. If everything works out, word is that Donnie Walsh would pull the trigger on a Curry and David Lee for Boris Diaw and Raja Bell deal. As much as that might make Mike D’Antoni happy, given the current state of New York basketball, Knicks fans might picket in the street over any trade that involves Lee. In fact, that’s pretty much the only thing that could get Knicks fans to break out the giant pink slip that they made for Isiah last year…
SJaxAnd if you thought that the Warriors had maxed out on drama, you’d be wrong. Now, Stephen Jackson is supposedly making waves about wanting out of Golden State. He and Nellie had words at a practice recently, but S. Jack’s been downplaying the incident. As Tim Kawakami points out, that’s probably a smart move. “If SJax is reported to be arguing with his coach, then a trade is IMPOSSIBLE. Nobody wants an angry Jack. I understand that. You want a reason SJax would deny this report, that’s it.”… Though Jackson, Curry and Francis all have tomorrow off, there will be plenty to watch. That’s why we’re going to get the ball rolling just before the New Orleans/Orlando tip-off at Noon EST tomorrow. Come back to DimeMag.com, and check out our Reader Live-Blog throughout the day. In between unwrapping presents, hit us up throughout the day with your impressions on the Christmas action – whether it’s the marquee Lakers/ Celtics game, the (slightly overhyped?) Spurs/Suns matchup, or the promising Blazers/Mavs nightcap….But until then, we’re out like Santa Claus…
December 25th, 2008 at 2:22 am
Duke says:
Merry Firstmas!!
December 25th, 2008 at 2:27 am
cru_thik says:
dang, i thought i had first this time, lol
December 25th, 2008 at 2:39 am
Davin says:
And Phil Jackson is going for his 1000th career victory. Should be a good one — unless the C’s turn it back to game 6 on them.
December 25th, 2008 at 3:09 am
Bron42 AkA Your Moms Best Friend says:
Its a CELEBRATION BITCHES!! happy holidays
December 25th, 2008 at 3:21 am
vh says:
The knicks trading Lee would be a disaster! He does the litle things and he just needs some minutes to prove he’s up there with the best! This guy can grab 20 boards a game, i can’t see bell or diaw doing that!
Give Walsh & D’Antoni the pink slip if this stupid trade ever happens!!!
December 25th, 2008 at 3:43 am
Trouble Man says:
What is the best 1-on-1 match-up for tomorrow?
A. CP3 vs. Jameer
B. Duncan vs. Amare
C. Kobe vs. Pierce
D. LBJ vs. Caron
E. Dirk vs. LaMarcus
December 25th, 2008 at 3:46 am
the_don_mega says:
Happy Holidays ya’ll…
December 25th, 2008 at 4:28 am
Chris Cason says:
Can’t forget the eagerly anticipated Cavs-Wizards game. The most excitement in that game is going to come from LeBron’s feet and I’m pretty sure they’ll be resting in the mid second half.
December 25th, 2008 at 5:14 am
s.bucketz says:
co-sign #8
and yea its not even a matter of david lee doin all the lil things for the knicks…hes a fan fave..hes loved in ny straight up…we dont care that bell and diaw wer good under d’antoni…we can not get rid of lee…ther will b no1 in 2010(besides nate and iLL wiLL) nd lebrons jus guna end up resigning this summer…side note
hav u seen the movie step brothers yet???doesnt the lil black kid in ther look like nate robinson??
December 25th, 2008 at 5:22 am
fLaVa says:
In the most recent WHERE IS HE NOW news…. Bonzi Wells plays in the CBA and dropped 40pts,13rebs in a Loss at the buzzer last night..
December 25th, 2008 at 6:07 am
Shrink This says:
I wouldn’t feel the least bit bad if Steve Francis never plays another NBA game. It’d look good on him for refusing to play for the Grizzlies. Dick.
December 25th, 2008 at 6:13 am
Shrink This says:
*(Refusing to play for the Grizzlies the first time around that is).
December 25th, 2008 at 6:27 am
Duke says:
Who the **** actually wants to play for the Grizzlies EVER?
December 25th, 2008 at 6:28 am
Three Stacks says:
Merry Christmas, family. Hope that every one of you and yours had a great year.
Thanks Dime, for the high-quality year-round coverage you bring. The readers appreciate it. Peace.
Go Lakerrssssss! please.
December 25th, 2008 at 7:20 am
K Dizzle says:
tick tock…
December 25th, 2008 at 8:12 am
it aint easy being green says:
happy festivus to all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO CELTICS
December 25th, 2008 at 8:47 am
BROGDEN says:
HAPPY HOLIDAYZ!
Is it really CP3 vs Meer or Tyson vs Dwight or Hedo vs West or Lewis vs Peja…interesting matchups!
Phoenix is back to their running ways sort of. Will it matter? And LA, uh oh. This is not a revenge game. It’s a barometer game, ya know – measuring stick. We didn’t see AB last year in the Finals. Now we’ll get to see him, YAY! The PF AND PG positions are the two things we’ll be talking about after the game. Putting my enthusiasm to the side, I see Fisher gettin’ lit up in this one.
I wish Washington was competitive this year…
Intriguing matchups in Oregon…and guess what, I can’t call it. Terry might be the x factor. Brandon might be it. Oden might open some eyes. Kidd might have a perfect game. Alridge might take control…I can’t call it.
Anyways, Enjoy!
December 25th, 2008 at 8:55 am
Dagomar says:
All I can say is: the Suns/Spurs featured on Christmas day? I’d prefer to see the NBA’s best player (Lebron) on its second-best team (Cavs). And so would everyone else I’ve spoken with.
December 25th, 2008 at 8:56 am
Dagomar says:
PS: Merry Christmas!
December 25th, 2008 at 11:48 am
vinny says:
Merry Christmas to all!
December 25th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Ross says:
You’d think the visiting players would be kind of pissed of that they have to play today. Will that factor into their gameplay?
December 25th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
that's whats up says:
hornets by 13
spurs by 17
lakers by 9
book it
December 25th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
that's whats up says:
…and Merry Christmas to all – even FED, DICK W and the sissies who post first
December 25th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
Marc Stein says:
happy holidays from all of us over at ESPN
December 25th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
Ben says:
Um no. The best regular season game was by far Hawks vs. Celtics back in November, that Pierce won on a buzzer-beater.
Lakers by 5
December 25th, 2008 at 11:08 pm
JCARR "K1N6" says:
Its still Christmas…. so Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!