Where will you be this Christmas? The NBA has blessed us with a Nets vs Lakers Christmas Day game and I’m very happy. I don’t know exactly what I’ll be doing for Christmas this year, but it will likely include a couple hours in front of the TV grabbing a preview of this year’s NBA Finals matchup. I haven’t been this happy about a Christmas matchup since the old Shaq vs Kobe days.

Did anyone posted already about Lebron about has just joined the billionare's club? I just saw this on other post but searched for its article that was written already a month ago.

--> https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/lebron-james-becomes-first-player-in-nba-history-to-make-1-billion-in-earnings-while-still-playing/

Yeah, I love that James name are not included, maybe those who didn't vote for him thinks he is already on specially last year wherein they were ousted by the Suns in the playoffs.

I love this because James has been taking offense on this, and he said that he wants this kind of "criticism" so that it will get fuel to him and the Lakers. Because him and the Lakers received a lot of backlash when they sign old and not on their prime already players like Melo and Howard and others. And this makes him angry, so I expect a different Lebron this upcoming season.

Every year, NBA is always arranging a big match-up every Christmas Day. That alone is the reason why Lebron James also has a record of having big games during Christmas day because he's always part of it.

Instead of Phoenix Suns vs Milwaukee Bucks, NBA still chooses the popularity of the Nets and Lakers players.

Not a big issue but at least teams in the previous finals should always have a rematch during Christmas Day as it was supposed to be like the Cavaliers vs Warriors saga before.

Even not on Christmas Day, and scheduled for other dates, Nets vs Lakers will still be big. At least they should give chance for the finalists the last Finals to play on Christmas Day as part of the recognization of their performance last season.

Phoenix and Bucks fans at least expect that they will allow it happened but it turned out not. Maybe next time if one of them will reach the Finals again although I don't see Phoenix Suns will make it for the 2nd time consecutively.

Harden has no problem with injuries and Durant looks like he is also good to go. If there will be another injury to both of them it will be an accident.
Kyrie Irving though is fragile. That shoulder injury keeps on getting back and it became a problem for Cleveland, Boston and even the Nets last year to be on their top performance with him sitting on the bench.
But the Nets patched that up by adding another ball handler. Patty Mills. So yeah, I think Harden is just showing how confident he is about his team.

He should just keep it on himself. Kind of lifting the chair right away where in fact he has a good caliber set of teammates so obviously they have the upper hand against the majority of NBA teams.

If he says that during his Rockets tenure, maybe I will praise his fighting spirit. No bearing to say that currently with the current roster of Brooklyn Nets.

Well then, goodluck and hope not just them but all teams will be healthy and at full strengths so that no questions and doubts about those teams that will reach the finals next season.

I agree with them being healthy, the Nets will definitely be a sure fire top seed in the East.

They've showed that they can blend already, during the regular season and in the playoffs. It's that the injury are going to kill their chances if just one of the big 3 gets injured along the way. The same way with the Lakers, Lebron and AD are not 100% in the playoffs, imagine if they are in full strength against the Suns in the first round, the outcome might be different. So let's hope that the coming season, Nets will be healthy so that it will be a good battle for the number 1 spot in the East. And let's see how instrumental Harden will be.

NBA market update - Two teams are currently battling for a possible acquisition of Paul Millsap. I'm talking about Brooklyn and Golden State. The two teams would have expressed their interest in the 36-year-old. However, it seems to be a complicated operation for both of them. The Nets have 16 players on their roster at the moment and they already have Blake Griffin and James Johnson - or even KD - in that specific role. As for the Warriors, they have 13 players with guaranteed contracts. Nemanja Bjelica landed in the "Bay" this summer, but Millsap could add some skill to the bench.

I guess it's different though, it's opening night, NBA needs viewership on the very special day, Christmas that's why they re-organised the schedule so that the two hottest team are going to face each other.

The publicity will be there, all NBA fans around the world are going to tune in and might be seeing the NBA finals for all we know. And I don't think that Phoenix or Bucks should be upset, they will still play against each other.