The NBA has done everything they can to market the Christmas Day showdown between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Miami Heat. They want you to believe it’s a titanic matchup between Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, the champions and the media darlings, the interior stars and the high-flying talents of James and Dwyane Wade.
Heat Vs. Lakers, NBA Christmas Day: Teams Treating It As Just Another Game
But at the end of the day, it’s really just one game out of 82. It may be occurring in primetime on a holiday, but it’s still a regular-season game. As SB Nation’s Heat blog Peninsula is Mightier writes:
The Heat players and coaches refuse to say this game is any kind of measuring stick for them. "It's just another game," says LeBron James, and he's right. Miami is still a team that is working out the kinks and getting used to playing with one another. I'm sure the game will still have plenty of meaning for whichever team wins it, but at this point of the season neither team should be overly concerned with a loss.
As usual, the hype machine is full of crap. There is no such thing as a statement game in December, especially not for the Los Angeles Lakers. Two years ago, the Lakers beat the Boston Celtics at home comfortably, and everybody said it was a statement of their new found toughness. They went on to win the championship. Last season, they were destroyed at home by LeBron James' former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers. This time it was the Cavs making a statement that all of their pieces fit well together and they were a true contender. But the Lakers went on to win the championship again. I guess last year's statement was a Be Right Back sign, with a little clock that pointed 5 months ahead.
It’s a good point, and a nice reality check for everyone that wants to make too much out of this game. It’s a game that should be entertaining, but it probably won’t mean much come June.
See More:
