NBA Regrets Not Having New York Knicks On Christmas

NBA officials are now regretting their decision to not have the resurgent New York Knicks play on national television on Christmas, according to the Sporting News.

Basketball is a Christmas tradition, as the NBA makes sure to provide plenty of games, including the NBA Finals rematch between the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers. A lot of people stay home on Christmas, so it makes all the sense in the world to try to capitalize on that by putting the top stars in the NBA on television to draw in the big ratings.

There’s not a bigger rivalry in the NBA than the one between Stephen Curry and LeBron James, as both guys are in contention for the title of “best player in professional basketball”.

One of the teams that did not make it on television this Christmas was the New York Knicks, a once struggling team who was removed from a lot of television dates last season.

The Los Angeles Lakers were the other team last season that were removed from national television because they were struggling and Kobe Bryant was on the shelf with an injury. Despite that, NBA officials still decided to give a Christmas game to the Los Angeles Lakers this year, where they played in a losing effort against the Los Angeles Clippers.

LeBron James has publicly stated that he would much rather spend time with his family instead of playing on Christmas. Carmelo Anthony, though, wants to be in one of those games.

Had the NBA owned a magic crystal ball that tells the future, then the New York Knicks definitely would have been given a spot on Christmas, so Kristaps Porzingis can be featured.

When the New York Knicks drafted Kristaps Porzingis, very few people thought he would be able to contribute immediately, as evidenced by their own fans booing the Latvian rookie.

Not only has Kristaps Porzingis been able to contribute on the floor immediately, but he has also been quite the human highlight reel and a fan favorite around the entire NBA. Kristaps Porzingis has been heavily featured on ESPN thanks in large part to the impressive ways that his highly athletic and lengthy body slams down an offensive rebound. Journalists who were wrong about him have made an effort to make it up to him by praising how quickly Kristaps Porzingis has adapted to the National Basketball Association.

Thanks to his popularity, the New York Knicks will more than likely receive a television spot on Christmas next season. The NBA will want the entire world to see this young kid.

It also bodes well for the New York Knicks that the team is improving overall, thanks in large part to team president Phil Jackson knowing how to successfully rebuild a team.

After failing to lure LaMarcus Aldridge to the New York Knicks, Phil Jackson wisely opted to find mid-level free agents who have a history of being productive in the NBA.

Derrick Williams, Kyle O’Quinn, and Robin Lopez were not big name players in free agency, but the trio has helped the New York Knicks to greatly improve their front line this year.

Aaron Afflalo really wanted to play for the New York Knicks, and he has turned out to be quite the gem for the team. He takes over the offense when Carmelo Anthony cannot. Phil Jackson has also kept the New York Knicks on good standing when it comes to the salary cap space that they have, so more help should be on the way next summer.

The New York Knicks will soon again be good enough to play on Christmas.

[Featured Photo by Elsa/Getty Images]