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 Suns Hoping to Give the Gift of a Win on Christmas Day
Posted By: Steve Kerr |
 Mike D'Antoni and the Suns will be entertaining the nation on Christmas day. |
Years later, lucky enough to be playing in the NBA, I realized what it was like to actually be doing the entertaining - rather than being entertained - on Christmas Day. In my 15 year career, my teams played 5 times on December 25th. I can tell you I have mixed emotions about the experience.
The most important element of the Christmas Day game as a player is whether or not you're playing at home. If so - like I did in Chicago as a Bull three different times - it's great. The routine doesn't have to change much. You can still spend Christmas Eve with your family, you still wake up the next morning in your own bed, and you still open presents under the tree. And after enjoying plenty of family time, everyone is ready to get out of the house and go see a game later that day. It makes for a fun day.
If you happen to be on the road - like the Suns will be this Christmas - you're making a major sacrifice. You leave home on the 24th, miss out on Christmas Eve and then wake up in a hotel room rather than your own bedroom. I can remember Christmas Day in 1989, as a member of the Cavaliers, having Christmas Eve dinner in an Atlanta hotel bar with Paul Mokeski and Craig Ehlo. We ordered quesadillas, which arrived 30 minutes later with a side of cocktail sauce rather than salsa. I told Ehlo and Mokeski, 'Hey, no offense, but I'd really much rather be eating turkey at home with my family than hanging out here eating faux Mexican food with you two.' The feeling was definitely mutual. We lost to the Hawks the next day and flew home Christmas night. I don't count it as one of my all time favorite Christmases.
Because of the sacrifice that our Suns players are making this year, we're going to do everything we can as an organization to make Christmas Day in LA as much fun as possible. The players are welcome to bring their families on the team charter. We have a Christmas dinner scheduled at the hotel - turkey and all the trimmings, rather than quesadillas. And Santa will stop by, bearing gifts for all the children.
The NBA also recognizes the sacrifices the players and coaches are making, and they always provide nice Christmas gifts for them all. (Nice leather goods from 'Coach' with the NBA logo on them were always the gift of choice, as I remember).
Of course, the best gift our guys can enjoy that day would be a W over the Lakers. As a player, you know that the game that day is a huge event. Every sports fan in America - and every other NBA player - is watching your game. It's The Show, basically, and you want to perform well. So even if you'd rather be home with the family, the energy of a Christmas Day game is there, and the adrenaline kicks in early.
Hopefully we'll play well, have fun and put on a great show for basketball fans across the country. Ultimately, that's what the Christmas Day games are about: entertaining the millions of fans who are home, looking for something to watch on TV.
Let's just hope that next year, if the league puts us on the Christmas Day schedule, we can play in Phoenix. Our players would be much happier.
Comments
grant heller - scottsdale
Great chance for the entire country to see our Suns! Have a wonderful Christmas guys. Hope your families can come with you.
Christian - houston texas
im the biggets phoenix suns fan in the world im 12 and i never really noticed the sacrifices there having to make until i seen the suns had to play on christmas day then i thought about it i thought about steve being away from his two twin daughters and all the other suns being away from there families i just want u guys the SUNS to have a very merry christmas!!!!!
p.s. oh and kick some laker butt!!!!
JOHN S. - SURPRISE AZ
Steve, the best thing I can get this Christmas pertaining to being a Suns fan would be a victory over the Lakers. I won't easily forget them rubbing our faces in it when they blew us out the first time we faced them this year. Second on my list is some help on the defensive side, especially in the middle. At least try to start Skinner at center for awhile and slip Amare back to power forward. If we have to keep Diaw, let Tucker play forward off the bench, with Diaw at center. Tucker comes from Wisconsin, they play defense there. Were the right lineup mix away from a possible title.
Tim Robinson - South Florida
I think that the Suns organization needs to be commended. To let the players bring their families on the team charter, is well an amazing thing. And to have a Christmas dinner set up and Santa and gifts for the children. I just want to say how much that must mean to the players to know they can still spend this holiday with their family even though they are on the road. I also want to wish everyone a happy holiday, and a happy new year. Good luck to the Suns when they play the Lakers on the 25th.
Jill - Scottsdale, AZ
I will be watching the game and I hope all of the Suns' players and families have a wonderful Christmas.
Nashluvr89 - Los Angeles, CA
As much as I am eagerly waiting for that Christmas game matchup between the Suns Vs. the dreaded Lakers, I can empathize with our (beloved) suns players. It must be tough to not be able to spend Christmas off the job, but I hope they play great and give themselves and their millions of suns fans the best NBA Christmas gift ever! GOOD LUCK PHX SUNS and Merry Christmas!!!
Brittany - Portland, OR
Well that's really nice of the Suns org to do all that for our Suns. Hopefully it will put them in the Christmas spirit and give all their fans a big win in LA!? SUNS IN '08!
annie - los angeles
I have a divided household on Christmas day--I'm a SUNS FAN and my husband a Laker fan--Dear Santa, make the SUNS wishes and my wishes come true on Christmas day!!!
Mary Black - Victoria B.C.
Dear Steve
Thank you so much for your story. I personally don't feel that they should have to play on Christmas day, but I do appreciate the sacrifice they are making, as I am sure all Suns fans do. My family and I will be watching, and Christmas day will be extra special for us this year as we get to spend it with our favorite team. Happy holidays to you all!
jaydan - Austraila
yea its so tru i play ball in Austarlia and we had to play on the other side of the country on Chrismas and it is quiet sad and painful
i missed 3/4 of my family and we ended up losing
mainly cause we missed our family spirt which was brought with the game at home
it was a flogging half time it was 50-20
end of the game it was 100-55
but the nxt yr they came to us and it happened the other way
so the home and chrismas does affect how u play
CATHY-STL - LOS ANGELES
Living in los angeles, I wish I could go to the game. I will be cheering at home and dressed in all my SUNS gear!!! Merry Christmas to the SUNS and all SUNS fans!
Susan :-) - Hawaii
It's a date with the Suns on Christmas day! :-) I will be watching this game with pom poms in hand as the Suns bring their A-game on and make it a very merry Christmas for the Suns nation. Goooo Suns beat the Lakers! ~ Aloha ~
JOHN S. - SURPRISE AZ
What's really left to discuss, debate, or question concerning our Suns? We have no interior defense, no offensive rebounding, no dominate presence in the middle. Amare is playing a position he can't compete with, even with his talent. On defense he and the other three starters have to try and make up for the fact that Nash cannot guard his opposing position. We have two bench players(Diaw)and (Banks) that you can defend all you want, they are this years biggest busts. Our coach is stuck in some kind of fantasy basketball world where offense makes up for no defense. We have a good center (Skinner) who never starts, and a starting guard (Raja) who suddenly can't make a shot and forgot how to defend, while the fastest player in the NBA (Barbosa) sits and stews on the bench. We have the comeback player of the year (Hill) starting and playing enough minutes to ensure he gets injured anytime soon. Welcome to the world of Suns basketball.
Cody - Nampa, ID
I never thought games should be played on Christmas, because the players should be with their families, but I am glad to hear that the players are welcome to bring their families and they will have a turkey dinner. It's not as good as being at home, but having your family with you is the most important thing. I will be watching with my family GO SUNS!!
cisco - phoenix
THIS SECON TIME AROUNDTHE SUNS WILL BEAT THE LAKERS BECAUSE WE ARE MORE AJUSTED TO OUR PLAYERS NOW THAN WHAT WE WERE IN THE BEGINING OF THE SEASON!!!!!!! GO SUNS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MERRY X-MAS TO ALL THE SUNS FANS ONLY!!!!!!!!
John M. - Virginia
Get serious people...put away the crying towels..we have a ball game to win...Negative thinking will produce negative results.
Edward L - New York
The Suns are the greatest! I love watching Suns play, I am a big big fan of your ball games! Beat the Lakers, Go Suns!!! Merry Christmas to the Suns community!
GLENN S. - CHANDLER,AZ.
I feel that what this NBA Orginazation does and has done in the past is FANtastic for the fans and the team players and coaches!! It is a previlage to watch this team play and grow. If every NBA Franchise was like our's it would be Great!
Wishing you all a Safe and Happy Holiday Season. Go Suns!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Gilbert B - Phoenix, AZ
Be careful with Hill playing too many minutes and getting injured before the end. He will be the key factor to get us over the hump. Also the Suns need another true back up point like Nash. Maybe (KJ) back out of retirement one more time to win a title !
suzi w. - Albuquerque, NM
I just moved here after 21 years in Phoenix. The best team is here and now and I do about anything to see the Suns team play on television. I've been with them for years and I will stop entertaining in my house on Christmas day when they come on. Love you guys!
suzi w. - Albuquerque, NM
By the way Steve Kerr- never was interested in Tucson sports (obviously). But my brothers took me to UA games back in the years and you made me become a fan of that whole basketball program there. Good for you!!!!
Rainee - tdot
The best Christmas present would of course be the win over the lakers.
And i'll for sure be getting it!! =D
I wish all the Suns players a Merry Xmas!!
J.T. - Heber, AZ
Happy Holidays to the Suns organization an its fans. Goodluck to the Suns on their Christmas day game against the Lakers. Lets come out with a win.
Dorothy - Dallas
Enjoyed watching the Suns in person last Wed.
They are more interesting than the Mavs even
in losing. Yet, it is better when they win
as against the Raptors!! Amare is getting it together -- and what about LB!!
Marty L - San Pedro CA
I've been a beloved Suns fan and season ticket holder since 1976 and 1989 repectively. Yes I go to 5 games a year from Ca and split the balance of the tickets with Suns fans in PHX. The Suns are the best sports and entertainment value in the marketplace in my book.
I've also been a NBA fan since 1955 and love the sport.
However, I'm very concerned that the Suns are falling into the same trap as in the past. The starting 5 + 3 players play 98% of the minutes and come playoff time they are tired and worn out because they've played too many minutes at a very hectic pace. I'm not a coach but I'm a human being in good physical condition, and I simply think the Suns need to play the 9th thru 11th players more, especially Banks, Pietkowski, and Marks. Playing 35 minutes at the frenetic pace the Suns play is equivalent to playing 45 minutes a night. That toll adds up. Maybe we'll lose a couple of games now but saving the strength of the best starting team in the league for the play offs is more important to me. A Suns championship is definitely overdue. Furthermore, I believe getting these bench players more time will sharpen their game, improve the chemistry with the other players ( what if injuries pile up ? ) and give the Suns more of a chance to win those piggy back end of the trip road games when the entire team is very fatigued. Re: the recent loss at Minnesota. If the bench had a chance to contribute energitically that night the Suns would have never lost that game.
GO SUNS !
Aaron - Tempe
It is the focus on family and people that makes the suns organization so great. Jerry Colangelo's brain child has grown into a world class organization and I'm proud to call myself a Suns fan. Thanks to Steve Kerr for continuing the great traditions that have made the Suns so outstanding.
Matt B - Mesa, Arizona
I think this a great things the Suns organization is doing for its players. I remember thinking last year how bad I felt that Shaq, Kobe, and their teammates were pit against each other, forcing them to be separated from their families. And yes, I did actually admit to feeling sorry for Kobe... It's great the Suns players won't be going through that. GO SUNS! (P.S. I've always wanted to say this: It doesn't matter if you have the best defense or offense, it takes both to win championships. I'm tired of this "Defense wins championships" crap, beacause even the best defenders need to score to win, or else its 0-0!)
robin - new york
Steve, the best thing I can get this Christmas pertaining to being a Suns fan would be a victory over the Lakers.We will win this championship this year.
Valerie - Phoenix
Merry Christmas the entire Suns organization! I hope Christmas in LA is still fantastic, and I hope all the families are able to make the trip! Looking forward to a WIN tomorrow! And I hope that Kobe wakes up with some coal in his stocking tomorrow morning........
Martin - Phoenix,Az
The Suns will show the nation what orange nation is all about!!!
Francis Bishop(PEE) - Cary-North Carolina
Even though the Suns are a good team, its always a different ball game when they clash with Lakers.I expect an entertaining evening but mark my words,at end of the game Lakers are going to come out winners.
Tim Stockton - Niagara Falls, CANADA
A big Steve Nash fan. Please play for the national team again Steve!
Merry Christmas and all the best to the players, staff, and their families in the new year!
Alexis - Quebec
For Chritmas I want the title and a 3rd time MvP for Steve Nash =)
opeyemi - New york
OK here is the rematch have been waithing for.. we must win this game by 15+. please give me this win as my x-mas present. please
go suns!!!!!!
merry x-mas to the phx suns players and the fans across the World! :)
DANIELLE - Ceder rapids Iowa
I am a huge suns fan lived in the vally of the sun for 10 years. the best gift I Can recive will be a WIN against the dreded lakers. It is awsome family can go on the team charthe rand that they are doing all that for them. GO SUNS KILL THE LAKERS!!
Hannah - BC
Watching NBA on Christmas Day has been a tradition since the days of Michael Jordan and the Bulls, now we get to watch another favorite, Steve Nash and the Suns.
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