Good morning. These are a few of our favorite Christmas reads

Merry Christmas! To get you ready for a day full of hoops, we’re sharing our favorite SB Nation pieces involving the 10 teams playing. Enjoy!

THE SCHEDULE ...

Pelicans at Heat: Noon ET, ESPN
Bulls at Thunder: 2:30 p.m. ET, ABC
Cavaliers at Warriors: 5 p.m. ET, ABC
Spurs at Rockets: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN
Clippers at Lakers: 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN

THE UNIFORMS: These are beautiful.

GREAT JOB, NBA: A reminder that there will be a 30-second anti-gun violence PSA running during the games that features Stephen Curry, Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony, Joakim Noah and several survivors of shootings. Here’s where you can learn more about how the campaign came to be.

73-9 COULD REALLY HAPPEN: We wrote this piece when the Warriors moved to 14-0. They’re now 27-1. So yes, the Bulls’ single-season win record is in jeopardy.

STEPH’S GREATEST LEGACY: ... is that he completely ruins the rhythm of watching a game on TV.

THAT DYNASTY IS COMING: Last January, Tom Ziller explained how the Warriors had the potential to morph into a dynasty because of the youth of their roster and the way they’ve managed the salary cap. It’s happening.

A MISTAKE TOO MANY TEAMS ARE MAKING THIS SEASON: Don’t try to mimic the Warriors.

THE WARRIORS’ PET PLAY: Golden State of Mind explains why the Stephen Curry/Draymond Green pick and roll is so devastating.

THIS IS A BUMMER: The popularity of the Warriors means that ticket prices are soaring, which means it’s too expensive for many Warriors fans to see a game.

SLEEPING GIANTS: The Cavaliers lead the East despite a wrath of injuries. They’re healthy now. As Paul Flannery notes, the sky really is the limit.

DON’T FORGET: LeBron James has quietly played at an MVP level this season.

GIVE LOVE A CHANCE: Early on, I noticed the Cavaliers were finally using Kevin Love properly after they didn’t last year. It’s paid off.

SAW THIS COMING: The Bulls started well, but even then, we could tell they weren’t really that good. Now, it’s more clear they’re really not that good.

... BUT DON’T PANIC: Tom thinks Chicago can turn it around.

THE BUTLER’S DONE IT: Jimmy Butler’s attempts at taking a vocal leadership role has been awkward, but the guy has been better than ever on the court.

DON’T BELIEVE THE RUMORS: The Bulls are reportedly considering a major shake-up, but as Blog a Bull reminds us, in-season trades aren’t this franchise’s specialty.

A SISYPHEAN TASK: It’s very unlikely Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant can take down the Spurs or Warriors. Heck, the Thunder even lost to the shorthanded Cavaliers a few games ago. And yet, they’re at the peak of their powers and trying anyway. Zito Madu explains why that makes them more compelling.

DON’T SAY HE’S SELFISH: Russ has become one of the league’s best passers, too.

DEATH, TAXES, ETC: The Spurs are incredible again. Here’s how they’re doing it, and really how they’ve always done it.

A FORCE AWAKENS: On the growth of Kawhi Leonard’s offensive game.

CAN’T WAIT FOR THE SHOWDOWN: Pounding the Rock explains how the Spurs’ defense has been every bit as special as the Warriors’ offense.

IT’S BEEN BETTER, I GUESS: When the Rockets fired Kevin McHale, I wrote that his players failed him with piss-poor effort. It’s been a little better under J.B. Bickerstaff, but Houston still has a ways to go. At least James Harden is playing better.

... BUT ABOUT HARDEN: It sometimes feels like he’s the laziest man in the NBA.

HATERS GONNA HATE HATE HATE: A history of everyone in the NBA getting mad at the Clippers.

DID YOU HEAR? Kobe Bryant is retiring after the season. Tom and Paul try to process the legacy of a complicated player.

MAYBE THE TANK ISN’T ON EMPTY: Kobe was playing terribly because of garbage shot selection his coach accepted for some reason, but he’s been taking better shots recently.

WRITING OFF 19-YEAR OLDS IS FOOLISH: After a slow start and a benching, D’Angelo Russell is showing why he was the No. 2 pick.

THE SPECIAL MAN: From last February, Paul’s longform feature on the rise of Anthony Davis and the unique culture of basketball in New Orleans.

YET THE PELICANS STINK. WHY? I explained the three big reasons this Pelicans team needs a makeover. The Bird Writes went deeper on New Orleans’ terrible defense back in November and recently advocated for a lineup change.

SOUNDS STRANGE, BUT IT ISN’T: Yaron Weitzman explains why the Heat’s defense is better without Hassan Whiteside in the game, even though Whiteside leads the NBA in blocked shots.

MEET ME IN TEMECULA: A year ago today, an Internet legend was born.