For the primary time in seven years, opening presents and constructing gingerbread homes would be the solely issues that Giannis Antetokounmpo and the remainder of the Milwaukee Bucks have to fret about on Christmas Day.
Milwaukee received’t be taking part in on the vacation this 12 months, stepping out of the highlight whereas groups just like the San Antonio Spurs and Minnesota Timberwolves get their probability to shine on one of many NBA’s hottest days of the season.
The Bucks haven’t had Christmas Time off since 2017, when Antetokounmpo had only one All-Star choice beneath his belt and was nonetheless awaiting his first MVP Award.
In fact, Antetokounmpo and Milwaukee have come a great distance since then, however apparently that didn’t matter when league officers started working on this 12 months’s schedule.
And for that, they deserve coal of their stockings. Numerous it.
This is without doubt one of the worst Christmas Day snubs we’ve seen in latest reminiscence.
It’s taking loads for me to say this, too. As a Massachusetts native who was thrown into Bucks Nation throughout my faculty years in Milwaukee, it didn’t take lengthy for me to comprehend that Wisconsinites weren’t keen on Celtic inexperienced, particularly if they’d a few IPAs of their system.
Very hardly ever will I come to the Bucks’ protection. In spite of everything, I needed to watch them pummel Boston throughout a 2019 Japanese Convention semifinal collection with tickets to Video games 2 and 5—a pair of Celtics losses.
I by no means did get well from that in faculty, financially or emotionally.
However that received’t cease me from mentioning the league’s wrongdoing with regards to this season’s Christmas Day slate. To have the Spurs, a crew that went 22-60 in 2023-24, taking part in in entrance of tens of millions is nasty, nasty work.
There’s no denying that San Antonio massive man Victor Wembanyama is a generational expertise, however when he’s off the ground, the very last thing I wish to see on Christmas of all days is Zach Collins hucking up photographs.
With that being stated, the Spurs did get a little bit of a facelift this offseason, including veterans Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes together with No. 4 total choose Stephon Fort. So, there’s an opportunity that they might no less than be entertaining.
Nonetheless, they don’t should be taking part in over Milwaukee on Christmas Day.
Minnesota is a distinct story. There’s a case to be made that the Timberwolves have earned this. They simply made the Western Convention finals, Anthony Edwards could possibly be the face of the league someplace down the street, and reigning Sixth Man of the Yr Naz Reid has gained a cult-like following.
I’m nonetheless siding with the Bucks.
Till we see sustained success from Minnesota, the Timberwolves’ most up-to-date playoff run must be thought of an anomaly.
Milwaukee has been bounced within the first spherical of the playoffs in back-to-back seasons. Nevertheless it hasn’t been stripped of its standing as a contender simply but, and there’s an excellent probability that Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard will take this crew far in 2023–24.
This may in all probability be the primary and final time I ever candy discuss the Bucks, however Christmas Day basketball received’t be almost nearly as good with out them.
