NBA Christmas Day games: What kind of gifts will we receive?

If you're celebrating Christmas, then you're probably getting to open some gifts on Wednesday. Part of the anticipation of opening gifts is the moment you realize what you've received. Sometimes, it can be an exciting new gadget, clothing item or toy that you've been waiting for. Knowing that a family member took the time to make sure you got something you've been dying to own is a special moment and one that can help build lifelong memories.

Sometimes, you have a family member that just doesn't put any effort into it. One of my grandmas once gave me soap on a rope and my dad a bag of kindling at the same Christmas because she didn't want to put effort into shopping. While the holidays are more about family than receiving gifts, it can still be deflating for a moment while you try to feign excitement over a bathing product or a bag of smaller pieces of wood that are used to help build a roaring fire. How are you supposed to be excited about a gift that you're literally meant to set on fire?

Even if you're not celebrating the holiday, NBA fans still will get five presents with the five games that will be played Wednesday. We don't know what kind of present we may find under the NBA tree, but it's fun to think about what it could be. Here's your gift guide to the NBA Christmas Day games.

CHICAGO BULLS AT BROOKLYN NETS, NOON ET

How this game will be like opening a next-generation console: I don't want to lie to you during the holidays; there is no way watching this game will be like unwrapping a PS4 or Xbox One. You'll be lucky if you get a Sega Game Gear with one working battery out of this game. The best we can hope for is the combination of Joakim Noah, Luol Deng, Carlos Boozer, and Jimmy Butler gets into an epic scoring battle with Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, Paul Pierce, and Kevin Garnett. Maybe Jason Terry will have a throwback fourth-quarter performance and break out that pretend jet celebration thing he loves. It's unlikely the Bulls allow this to be a pretty game but you can still hope for a sweet console being in that box.

How this game will be like opening soap on a rope: Unfortunately, two of the stars of this matchup, Brook Lopez and Derrick Rose, aren't walking through those doors in a uniform. The Bulls have the league's second-worst offense. The Nets have the fourth-worst defense. What's funny is you'd assume this would mean something has to give. Either we get a throwback performance on defense from Garnett or we get a deluge of points from the Bulls. Sadly, neither is likely. It will be just competent enough in all respects to not be interesting.

OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER AT NEW YORK KNICKS, 2:30 P.M. ET

How this game will be like opening a subscription to NBA League Pass: Carmelo Anthony vs. Kevin Durant. I believe in this matchup; you almost have to. Assuming he plays, Anthony -- who tweaked an ankle Monday night -- loves this showdown with Durant too. He's 11-1 all-time against Durant with averages of 30.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists. He shoots 50.4 percent overall and 40 percent from downtown. He's a monster when he faces Durant's team. Durant is no slouch, putting up 26.8/6.5/3.3 on 42.2 percent from the field and 38.8 percent from 3-point range. If we get the duel from these two we usually get, this is going to be a nice little battle for "best pure scorer" that everybody loves to debate.

How this game will be like opening a bag of kindling: Since Melo turned his ankle Monday night against the Orlando Magic and there's a chance he won't play if it doesn't get any better by midday Wednesday. If that happens, then we have J.R. Smith and Andrea Bargnani trying to match Durant and Russell Westbrook shot for shot. While the potential for hilarity and Smith unveiling an "unwrapping the present you wanted" celebration after a made three (I made it up but please let this happen), the chance of a good game without Anthony is very low.

MIAMI HEAT AT LOS ANGELES LAKERS, 5 P.M. ET

How this game will be like opening a brand new leather jacket: There's not a lot you can expect aside from individual performances. The Lakers could surprise some of us with an offensive barrage from the perimeter that the Miami Heat just can't counter -- giving us a competitive contest. This game will be special if we get lucky and LeBron James decides to make it special. We'll see a full-court alley-oop or a monster baptism at the hands of LeBron at the rim. Maybe we'll see a sequence that makes you want to quit watching basketball because it can't get better than that. Regardless, LeBron being LeBron is how this game becomes great. Either that or Greg Oden gets to step on the court in a regular-season game.

How this game will be like opening up a box with Russell Westbrook's Christmas outfit and no gift receipt: If we don't get enough shots from Nick Young or Pau Gasol leading a fast break or a video bomb from Dwyane Wade or Chris Bosh after the game, this could be a dud. Individual performances are what make this game potentially watchable, but the disparity between the talent levels of the two squads could make this be a lost cause by halftime. What if we get Chris Kaman to wrestle a bear as the halftime entertainment?

HOUSTON ROCKETS AT SAN ANTONIO SPURS, 8 P.M. ET

How this game will be like him going to Jared: Let them run. Let them be free. Let them move the ball. Honestly, the worst thing we can get in this game is a game in which the referees are too involved. We'll have some Dwight Howard hacking and we'll get James Harden and Manu Ginobili trying to flop their way to some extra free throws. But mostly these two teams playing their ideal games at relative health could make this one of the best Christmas Day games we've seen in years. The passes should be crisp, the legs should be in constant motion, and the 3-pointers should be flying. Not to mention a Christmas Day Gregg Popovich interview between quarters.

How this game will be like opening a Beanie Baby ... in 2013: Smite-a-Dwight and a lot of free throws could ruin this. If Harden isn't healthy or Pop is willing to grab a fine by sitting one or all of his big three players, we could be in for disappointment. There also could be a fine line between both teams playing a high-octane attack and both teams being sloppy with the way they execute their game plans. I'll be pretty disappointed if this doesn't get recreated:



LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS AT GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS, 10:30 P.M. ET

How this game will be like finding a luxury car with a big bow in your driveway like in this holiday commercials: Let. It. Fly. The Warriors have one of the best offensive attacks when their starting lineup is clicking with Stephen Curry leading the perimeter charge, Klay Thompson spotting up with that deadly shooting motion, and Andre Iguodala playing facilitator. The Clippers have the best point guard in the world with Chris Paul and two guys that will go get lobs no matter where they're thrown. We could see more electricity than the Griswold family cat.

How this game will be like Knicks season tickets: Blake Griffin and Stephen Curry have been known to turn an ankle or two. We also could just get the weird thing of anticipation building up a game and eventually deflating it because it doesn't live up to the billing. Everybody in the NBA fan realm is looking forward to wrapping up the day with this game. Because of injuries around the league, this is the premiere matchup for Christmas Day. The hype is there with two electric point guards and a supporting staff worthy of YouTube time. Please don't let this turn into Knicks tickets, basketball gods. We pray to you and the birth of baby Jesus Shuttlesworth.

Happy holidays, everybody!

Durant, Westbrook and Others Give Back at Holidays

By Nick Gallo | Thunder Basketball Writer
mailbag@thunder-nba.com
Dec. 24th, 2013
The line of families at the People’s Church in north Oklahoma City didn’t just go out the door, it wrapped all the way around the building.

On December 18th, the morning after a Thunder road victory over the Denver Nuggets, Kevin Durant hosted his first annual Toy Giveaway in an event that was open to the public. Members of the Oklahoma City community traveled from all corners of the city to get a chance to meet Durant, in addition to being able to get a free toy for their child. The energy was electric throughout the afternoon as families swung through the line where Durant was handing out specific toys to boys and girls of all age groups.

“Christmas-time is always a time of giving and seeing smiles,” Durant said. “It’s my favorite time of the year.”

From six-year olds who got their very first bicycle from Durant to grandmothers who simply wanted to give Durant a kiss on the cheek to show their appreciation, every person who stepped into People’s Church had their lives touched by Durant’s generosity.

Basketball also seemed to be on the mind, as Durant exclaimed “great choice” when a boy selected a basketball over a super-soaker, and Durant smiled wide when a young girl turned around after getting a Barbie and said, “Can I get a basketball instead?”.

The toys, especially the Durant-signed basketballs, were a huge hit, but it was the emotional gift that Durant gave by showing his fellow Oklahomans that they are important and that he cares was the best present of all.

“It’s a big deal,” a mother of four named Kim said. “The kids get to have a good Christmas now.”

“It speaks volumes of Kevin’s heart to give back to the community, to be a part of his community and bless kids,” People’s Church Directof of Creative Arts Brian Rush said. “It’s amazing. It really shows that he loves his city and wants to impact the community as well.”

The joy Durant brought to the lives of those who attended last Wednesday was only rivaled by the way the perennial All-Pro forward felt as his afternoon at People’s Church was coming to a close. Durant looked over the enormous stack of autographed photos that had dwindled down and the massive pile of presents that had been divvied out to families in need of a wonderful holiday memory and with a smile of satisfaction and happiness, was able to feel great about his event.

“I’m definitely grateful and blessed for this opportunity,” Durant said. “I know I have a responsibility to be the best person I can be and lead by example and give them hope.”

---

Durant wasn’t the only player who gave back this holiday season, as Russell Westbrook hosted his annual Christmas event with Citizens Caring for Children in conjunction with his Why Not? Foundation. Westbrook gave away basketball shoes, backpacks and other goodies as he hosted a lunch for children living in foster care. Across town, Andre Roberson and Hasheem Thabeet swung by the Fifth Street Baptist Church to give away turkey dinners to those who live in the church’s downtown Oklahoma City neighborhood.

In addition, Kendrick Perkins participated in a traditional Thunder-hosted event, taking a family-in-need on a Homeland shopping spree to help them get all of their groceries and necessities for the holiday season.

The Thunder is active in the community in November and December with its Holiday Assist program, but over the past few weeks, these Thunder players decided to go beyond the call of duty. By showing that they were willing to go the extra mile, they not only helped those in need, but gave the precious gift of happiness to those who could use a smile.

VIDEOS FROM WWE TRIBUTE TO THE TROOPS 2013

Dwayne Johnson Being Great For Christmas

Teixeira recalls fond memories of Christmas as a child

Yanks slugger was first one awake on Dec. 25; says favorite present was pool table

NEW YORK -- For Mark Teixeira, Christmas morning as a child always meant a lesson in restraint. There may have been gifts wrapped under the tree, but the house rules demanded that those treasures were off-limits until everyone in the house was stirring.

Teixeira said he and his older sister, Elizabeth, would always wake up early on Christmas morning in their Severna Park, Md., bedrooms, and while there was temptation, the future Yankees slugger knew better than to sneak a peek through the wrapping paper.

"It was always very exciting," Teixeira said. "We weren't allowed to go downstairs and look under the tree until my parents were up. They had their showers and their coffee, and they were getting ready. It taught me a little bit of patience, which was great.

"Then we'd spend all day playing with our toys and having a nice breakfast with my family -- my aunts, uncles and cousins would always come over, or we'd go over to their house. It was always a full day with family."

Teixeira recalls one Christmas in particular, which he believes was around age 10 or 11. Teixeira and his father, John, were actively involved in sports; baseball was an obvious favorite, but the Teixeiras also would shoot basketballs or throw around a football with regularity.

Around that time, Teixeira also discovered an affinity for billiards, so father and son would travel often to a local arcade and game center to shoot pool. Those trips became much more convenient after the holidays.

"That year, I opened up a pool stick, and I was like, 'This is cool,'" Teixeira recalled. "Then I opened up the next present, and they were billiards balls. The next present was chalk, and I was like, 'Wait a second.' So I started putting two and two together, and my parents said, 'Why don't you go look downstairs?'

"I ran downstairs and there was a pool table built. I don't know how they pulled it off."

Teixeira also remembers his father reading "The Night Before Christmas" before bedtime on each Dec. 24, and the family always would gather around to watch the 1970 musical version of 'Scrooge,' starring Albert Finney.

"That was kind of my childhood," he said.

Teixeira and his wife, Leigh, plan to spend the holidays with their three children at her parents' home in Georgia. Teixeira said that his favorite part of this offseason is having opportunities like that to catch up with friends and family.

"It'll be great," Teixeira said. "We'll just have a lot of fun watching the kids open their presents and play with the other toys. There'll be some arguments over whose toys are whose, but that's all fun."

The switch-hitting first baseman must savor the quick break, because he will head right back to work after the holidays. Teixeira said that he is continuing daily rehab on his right wrist following surgery to repair the tendon sheath in early July, and added that he has no doubts about being ready for Opening Day.

"I'm close to 100 percent," Teixeira said. "I feel like I'm healed. I wish I was a little bit looser; my wrist is going to be tight for a while because of the way the surgery was performed. They had to kind of tighten everything up to make it secure.

"It's still a little bit tight, but that's why I'm doing rehab every day and doing exercises every day. I'll start swinging a bat in January and that will also help loosen it up."

This winter has also seen Teixeira take on a role of recruiter for the Yankees. Brian McCann and Jacoby Ellsbury both said that they heard from Teixeira before signing their contracts with the Yankees, and Teixeira said that he was pleased to be able to help.

"I'm really happy with the moves," Teixeira said. "We had plenty of holes to fill, unfortunately, but when you can go get Brian McCann, Jacoby Ellsbury and Carlos Beltran before Christmas -- even guys like Brian Roberts and Kelly Johnson, I think can be huge pickups for us.

"I've played against Brian for 11 years. I've played with Kelly in Atlanta. So I know what kind of quality guys they are. They're going to fit in great with our clubhouse. I think they're going to do a great job on the field as well. I'm really excited."

With 2013 winding down, Teixeira said that he hopes general manager Brian Cashman will be able to come through with a few more surprises before pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training in February.

"I would love for us to round out our pitching staff, both in the starting rotation and the bullpen," Teixeira said. "If we add a couple more pieces, I think we go into 2014 with a great shot.

"I know Cash has worked really hard, and I give him a lot of credit for what he's done so far. I wouldn't mind unwrapping a present after Christmas with a couple more guys on the pitching staff, and we'll be ready to roll."

INTERVIEW: TEAM CAPTAINS ANTHONY ERVIN, CULLEN JONES TALK ABOUT AMAZING DUEL IN THE POOL FINISH

GLASGOW, Scotland, December 21. TWO of Team USA's captains, Anthony Ervin and Cullen Jones, talked about Team USA's amazing comeback one-point Duel in the Pool victory in Scotland.

Ervin and Jones helped Team USA in a big way with a second-place tie behind Jimmy Feigen in the men's 50 free as part of a huge 1-2-3 finish for the men.

Ervin and Jones also talk about heading right back into training for the upcoming season, with Ervin and Jones both looking to getting stronger, faster and better after some serious amounts of training. The duo also explained how fast the young kids on Team USA are getting.

Listen to this audio interview with Swimming World.




Source 123456



tyfyt ONTD