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NBA: why December 25 is basketball day in the United States

2022-12-24T15:31:18.666Z


For almost a century, the NBA has held games on December 25, Christmas Day. A major sporting and economic event for American basketball.


Its good ?

Have you picked up all the gift wrap lying around under the tree?

It's time to finish the cookies under a plaid while watching golgoths in shorts sweating profusely.

Because in the United States, basketball does not stop on December 25.

On the contrary: it is one of its biggest meetings each year.

The NBA is programming dream posters there.

A 75-year-old tradition with multiple challenges.

To discover

  • NBA: schedule and results

  • NBA standings

Why did the NBA get comfortable at Christmas in 1947?

The reason is to be found in its great rival, the NFL (American football league) which, in the 1920s, appropriated Thanksgiving, a holiday almost as important as Christmas in the United States.

The NBA also wanted its date.

Today "

it's a tradition that is, we're not going to lie to each other, 100% commercial and marketing

", deciphers Rémi Reverchon, flagship journalist of beIN Sports, NBA broadcaster in France.

Christmas and the NBA, an association rooted in fans

Without even mentioning the highlighting of clothing and derivative products, the NBA takes advantage of the fact that no one (or almost, because the NFL comes to tease) plays on December 25 to monopolize the spotlight by scheduling 5 matches.

We find almost the 10 best teams of the season

, underlines Rémi Reverchon.

I feel like the NBA has managed to ingrain this high-end basketball day into Christmas culture.

“Because for the fans, it is”

a key date, a stage

“of the NBA season, supports Rémi Reverchon.

And for the players, it's an honor to play on December 25.

Players benefit sportingly... and financially

"

Growing up, I saw playing Christmas as a reward

," said Doc Rivers, then Boston Celtics coach, in 2009. "

It means we're on the right teams

," agreed the Orlando Magic center. , Dwight Howard.

Some also, sometimes, grumbled.

"

The NBA is the first league that had the courage to ask its players, that is to say its employees in concrete terms, to play on Christmas Day, which is still a holiday traditionally sacred to the immense majority of the planet

," notes Rémi Reverchon.

Overall, basketball stars are not unaware of the benefits generated which they also enjoy, so they validate.

The result is a unique day: a first match at 6 p.m. French time (12 p.m. New York time) and four others who each follow their turn in an evening which ends around 7 a.m. in France.

At beIN Sports, where journalists and consultants take turns on the air over more than thirteen hours, it's not a holiday.

An “antenna marathon” for beIN Sports

It's a hell of a fire, but it's sincerely the best day of the year to work on the NBA

, savors Rémi Reverchon.

We have such a marathon of antenna that it allows us, in the end, to be very relaxed.

We eat on a tray, everyone brings their cookies, their log, whatever they want.

In total, no less than 38 beIN Sports employees will be on deck this Sunday, including 16 at the editorial level (presenters, commentators, editors, etc.)

This Sunday, lovers of the orange ball will see at work, among others, the genius Luka Doncic and his Dallas Mavericks against the Los Angeles Lakers of the eternal LeBron James (8:30 p.m.).

But also the two leaders of the Eastern Conference, the Boston Celtics and the Milwaukee Bucks (11 p.m.).

Or, as an aperitif at 6 p.m., the timeless New York Knicks at home, against the Philadelphia Sixers and their Franco-Cameroonian pivot, Joel Embiid.

And above all, Merry Christmas.

Source: lefigaro

All sports articles on 2022-12-24

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