LeBron James, Doc Rivers Don’t Want to Work on Christmas Day

Phil Jackson isn’t alone is his crusade against hoops on Xmas; LBJ and Doc are right there with him: “A day after the Lakers’ coach reiterated his longtime stance against NBA games on Dec. 25, James and other members of the Miami Heat said they also wish they could be with their families on Christmas. Instead, the Lakers and Heat will spend the holiday together, playing in Los Angeles on Saturday afternoon. ‘If you ask any player in the league, we’d rather be home with our families,’ James said. ‘I think the people that even set the games up would rather be home with their family during this day. It’s not just a regular holiday. It’s definitely one of those days that you wish you could wake up in the morning with the kids and open up presents.’ James’ two children will do their gift-unwrapping on Christmas Eve this year. Jackson is the son of two Christian ministers, and he famously wrote a book on his spiritual growth related to basketball. The Lakers have been picked for a Christmas game annually since 1999. ‘I don’t think anybody should play on Christmas Day,’ Jackson said Tuesday night before the Lakers lost at home to Milwaukee. ‘I don’t understand it.’ Keeping with the theme from recent years, the NBA went with five games again on Christmas. Chicago is at New York to open the quintupleheader, Boston plays next at Orlando, then after the Lakers host the Heat it’ll be Denver at Oklahoma City and Portland at Golden State in the nightcap. Christmas games are a tradition nearly as old as the league itself. So, too, is complaining about them.”