Christmas Day is one of the most exciting days of the year for basketball fans. The NBA has a long-standing tradition of featuring some of its most highly anticipated matchups on December 25th, with many of the league's top stars taking to the court to showcase their skills. But how do these athletes celebrate Christmas on the court? From festive jerseys to charitable endeavors, here are five ways NBA stars celebrate Christmas on the court.
1. Special Edition Christmas Jerseys
One of the most visible ways NBA stars celebrate Christmas on the court is by wearing special edition jerseys. Each year, the NBA releases a line of festive jerseys featuring holiday-themed designs and colors. These jerseys are often worn by teams playing on Christmas Day, and they add an extra layer of excitement to the already highly anticipated games.
For example, in 2020, the NBA released a line of "City Edition" jerseys featuring holiday-themed designs inspired by each team's city. The jerseys were worn by teams playing on Christmas Day, and they quickly became a fan favorite.
Players' Reactions to the Special Edition Jerseys
NBA stars have expressed their excitement about wearing the special edition Christmas jerseys. For example, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James tweeted, "Love the new Christmas jerseys! Can't wait to rock them on the court."
Other players, like Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry, have also expressed their enthusiasm for the jerseys. In an interview with ESPN, Curry said, "I love the Christmas jerseys. They're always so cool and festive. It's a fun way to celebrate the holiday season."
2. Charitable Efforts
Many NBA stars use the Christmas season as an opportunity to give back to their communities. Whether it's through hosting toy drives, visiting hospitals, or participating in charity games, NBA players are known for their charitable efforts during the holiday season.
For example, in 2019, the NBA's "NBA Cares" initiative partnered with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America to host a series of holiday events and activities. The events, which took place at Boys & Girls Clubs locations across the country, featured NBA players, coaches, and legends participating in activities such as toy drives, basketball clinics, and holiday parties.
Players' Involvement in Charitable Efforts
Many NBA stars are actively involved in charitable efforts during the Christmas season. For example, Houston Rockets star James Harden has been known to host annual toy drives and holiday events in his hometown of Los Angeles.
In an interview with the Houston Chronicle, Harden said, "I love giving back to the community, especially during the holiday season. It's a time of year when people come together and show appreciation for one another."
3. Festive Arena Decorations
NBA arenas are transformed into winter wonderlands on Christmas Day, with festive decorations and holiday-themed activities adding to the excitement of the games. From giant Christmas trees to holiday-themed concession stands, the arenas are decked out in festive decorations that get fans in the holiday spirit.
Arenas' Festive Atmosphere
The festive atmosphere in NBA arenas on Christmas Day is electric. Fans are treated to a holiday-themed experience that includes everything from Santa Claus appearances to holiday-themed entertainment.
In an interview with the New York Times, the NBA's executive vice president of events, David Schulman, said, "We want to create a fun and festive atmosphere that gets fans in the holiday spirit. From the decorations to the entertainment, we're committed to making Christmas Day games a special experience for our fans."
4. Holiday-Themed Introductions and Promotions
NBA teams often feature holiday-themed introductions and promotions on Christmas Day, adding to the excitement and festive atmosphere of the games. From special holiday-themed video introductions to festive in-game promotions, the NBA pulls out all the stops to make Christmas Day games a special experience.
Teams' Creative Introductions and Promotions
NBA teams are known for their creative introductions and promotions on Christmas Day. For example, in 2019, the Los Angeles Lakers featured a holiday-themed video introduction that showcased the team's players in festive costumes.
In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, the Lakers' vice president of marketing, Fernando Morales, said, "We wanted to create a fun and festive introduction that would get our fans in the holiday spirit. Our players had a blast filming it, and it was a great way to kick off the game."
5. Players' Personal Traditions
Finally, many NBA stars have their own personal traditions and rituals that they observe on Christmas Day. From family gatherings to charitable endeavors, NBA players often use the holiday season as a time to relax, recharge, and give back to their communities.
Players' Favorite Holiday Traditions
NBA stars often share their favorite holiday traditions and rituals with fans through social media and interviews. For example, Golden State Warriors star Klay Thompson has talked about his love of Christmas cookies and holiday music.
In an interview with ESPN, Thompson said, "I love Christmas cookies. My mom makes the best sugar cookies in the world, and I look forward to eating them every year. I'm also a big fan of holiday music. There's something about the music that just gets me in the holiday spirit."
As the NBA season heats up on Christmas Day, fans can expect to see their favorite stars celebrating the holiday season in a variety of ways. From special edition jerseys to charitable endeavors, the NBA's Christmas Day games are a special treat for fans around the world.
What is the NBA's tradition of playing games on Christmas Day?
+The NBA has a long-standing tradition of featuring some of its most highly anticipated matchups on December 25th.
How do NBA players celebrate Christmas on the court?
+NBA players celebrate Christmas on the court through special edition jerseys, charitable endeavors, festive arena decorations, holiday-themed introductions and promotions, and personal traditions.
What are some examples of NBA players' charitable efforts during the holiday season?
+NBA players often participate in charitable efforts during the holiday season, such as hosting toy drives, visiting hospitals, and participating in charity games.