Christmas Day has invariably been a hoops junkie’s delight, with the National Basketball Association presenting not one, not two, but five matchups beginning noon and finishing well past midnight, Eastern time. It’s a tradition dating back 14 years, and the league’s careful consideration of circumstances behind contests counts for compelling fare in large measure. This year’s offerings, however, proved to be a mixed bag, what with a variety of injuries and COVID-19 measures resulting in the absence of vital cogs.
Despite the absence of marquee names and the prevalence of players on 10-day contracts, the games still did wind up catching the fans’ attention. The Knicks had a feel-good win against the Hawks on the strength of homegrown hero Kemba Walker’s triple-double; it was a welcome sight, especially since the four-time All-Star hitherto appeared to be in head coach Tom Thibodeau’s doghouse for good. Meanwhile, the Bucks rallied past the Celtics by riding on the coattails of two-time Most Valuable Player awardee Giannis Antetokounmpo, who just returned from health protocols.
Those same NBA safety regulations handicapped the Warriors, who traveled to the Footprint Center without three of their top four scorers. Still, they managed to upend the host Suns and, in the process, take provisional possession of the best record in the league. Close to the other end of the spectrum were the Lakers, who wasted yet another sterling performance from LeBron James to absorb their fifth straight setback at the hands of the short-handed Nets. Just like their last game at Staples Center, their first at Crypto.com Arena ended in disappointment.
By the time the day wound to a close with the Mavericks taking on the Jazz sans six regulars, top dog Luka Dončić included, one thing was evident: There’s a reason significant star power sells. Absent such notables as Trae Young, Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and Anthony Davis, casual observers found the schedule wanting. Diehards didn’t care, though. Never mind that last year’s edition had zero absences. What’s more, the concern figures to be a continuing one. Mass sidelinings have compelled front offices to sign G League replacements and dust off the likes of Isaiah Thomas, Joe Johnson, and Darren Collison simply to show some semblance of competitiveness.
No quarter has been spared, to be sure. However, the fact that any one player can be affected at any time injects randomness into the equation even more. Which is why those able to find consistency amid the chaos crowd the top, and why those from the outside looking in choose to see the silver linings in order to appreciate the proceedings.
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and Human Resources management, corporate communications, and business development.