The 5 most interesting players of the NBA Christmas Day slate

NBA Christmas Day is talented. Last four NBA champions, three more NBA Finals teams, and more perennial powerhouses follow. Six MVPs,

[{"selector":"#anim-f894cbd3-b209-47e9-901f-173838f3b42c [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(15.048543477236304%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fc4bc869-bd46-4369-8224-3adca06972d8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0cb317cd-7123-42ba-ab70-22c6a57c130f","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(111.01190%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ac297d5f-61d5-45f8-894d-d7181fde4ea4","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0197ea23-5ea4-4039-af9b-1efb6cab0cff","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-130.9804%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Yellow Wavy Line

11 of last season's 15 All-NBA finalists, 30 All-Stars, and several more who may get their first in weeks are expected. Maxey and Brunson appear.

[{"selector":"#anim-882f5009-9d4d-40db-b62d-51c864264f88 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(30.46874986667078%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-76a35b3a-94f5-45b8-a58b-a1cab014b305","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-529df21e-7888-4013-bc55-296894d59d83","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(110.91446%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fe2806cf-2f51-4f7e-bdf0-e591b64c7f25","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2a9cc0e8-3432-47b7-89f5-aacf891ba6f6","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-130.9804%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Yellow Wavy Line

The Bucks and their recovering superstars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard are still appealing. After writing about them last month and reading about their two-man game and defensive consistency

[{"selector":"#anim-8773583d-6325-4d40-90a4-6cd134e3d649 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(11.851728491922024%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9fa1a834-2e06-46fc-be02-03403b1d7004","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d6afaa39-7602-471f-9a76-69bf408769df","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(108.57142%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2ba4a32c-4857-4a44-9f8e-c3f47861661e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d1d0c84e-819f-44f5-a96f-b9714e030a66","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-130.9804%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Yellow Wavy Line

(with Milwaukee still near the top of the NBA in scoring efficiency while figuring it out and 13th on defence since switching back to drop coverage in the pick-and-roll), I focused on the other All-NBA forward in the matinee.

[{"selector":"#anim-a0f030b9-6a98-4cf0-b62f-fc720811d63b [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(11.832061068702291%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7819ea1a-12e0-49e1-b721-e19faff010a4","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6eab3774-d76b-475d-b0ff-3be366946d8c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(106.31869%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-47de0cae-892e-418f-951d-16f1b25579df","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-08a5e849-f7fb-4405-8672-1aebf407099f","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-130.9804%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Yellow Wavy Line

Curry and Jokić are both exceptional players with unique skills that can make you care about even the smallest details. Curry is a jaw-dropping player,

[{"selector":"#anim-5b370df4-0c01-4870-b707-660769d2f8b0 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(7.983193277310926%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cd09977e-cd82-455c-9a92-987969a4d6df","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-29b4434d-bf3b-490c-b06f-d0d72e4d5cca","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(111.67665%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2ae9dbc2-ff69-4319-8a77-fc7b9ff92d52","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-76ed052d-3ce1-4ef9-acaa-0c79bbbcfcd1","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-130.9804%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Yellow Wavy Line

while Jokić is a playmaking visionary with vast abilities. They are two of only 15 players in NBA history to win MVP multiple times. Their presence is captivating.

[{"selector":"#anim-126b427a-3ca6-4d43-ad15-8df5e44de2a4 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(12.987588411850263%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5b544d55-360a-4fde-9a01-3147f192d5fd","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f42c4326-ce64-46c2-a5d4-fe5d84c3aaeb","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(111.67665%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-359cb089-ae41-4435-ac0b-e4955de8f7e8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d3547f0a-c5d8-49f6-9801-ac640a62431e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-130.9804%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Yellow Wavy Line

Pointing out one of the most decorated, acknowledged, and famous basketball players ever, who Thomas Haberstroh previously stated had four Hall of Fame resumes.

[{"selector":"#anim-f370c8fa-0d91-474a-8042-7129ef5497e7 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(12.993420828077094%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9eecbdad-cf64-4355-aa9f-7ba3f9869418","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c502decb-aaf1-4e29-a4b8-51c4058659bc","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(108.57142%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8d9d444e-089b-4207-8511-0d5b6974289f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9a560954-6e91-4394-b5f5-d8c67b3a6703","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-130.9804%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Yellow Wavy Line

Playing hits is cliché because people enjoy to dance, and correctness doesn't require brains. In his 21st season, a week before his 39th birthday, LeBron might still be a top-10 or top-five player.

[{"selector":"#anim-324b261c-50d2-4f9e-b201-d361f4d44a4c [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(7.812499744007886%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fa275c55-678f-42f7-8eb0-9e7b0ebccb42","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-dfde7473-22cd-45db-8ac2-cc11a6f6a38b","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(111.67665%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-461829cf-fccc-4a85-bf94-f6a128c4c781","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a1a15ab5-392a-43ed-ad05-0f7b03e27ba7","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-130.9804%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Yellow Wavy Line

A disorganised Sixers squad two months ago is fighting the Celtics and Bucks for the East lead for various reasons. Top-25 player Maxey and new coach Nick Nurse give the offence mobility and variety.

[{"selector":"#anim-d9f73ea1-5f1c-4778-bbc9-b1eb8b56eefe [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(7.812499744007886%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2246b8d7-1059-40ea-b6e3-45f659476166","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2ee1aafd-4e81-4493-b592-e9b658163fbe","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(106.19947%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8815f0c9-bfcc-4930-9376-d47e1d4796a8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5d2fffc6-743d-4596-8b04-0a483f4abb0b","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-130.9804%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Yellow Wavy Line

After James Harden left, Philadelphia added draft picks, wing depth, and Nicolas Batum, a low-usage, high-efficiency veteran 4. Top NBA power forwards Post-Harden, Melton, Maxey, and Batum average 33.3 PPG.

[{"selector":"#anim-9fd1aad9-dd2b-4784-ae1b-ad66f188baf4 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(7.812499744007886%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7f1b8469-91c9-40d7-856a-51a7f3053176","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3645b3a0-b921-4fa3-8179-c6b522450737","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(104.41988%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-44ccd222-7b90-4d6d-8cf1-67387bd5e9c3","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-51fc3757-2c04-4755-9a6a-d9c78707d9ac","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-130.9804%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Yellow Wavy Line

Kyrie Irving was Dallas' ideal backup—high-efficiency, low-turnover, and able to keep the attack going until Luka came. Suffered. Beal struggled with Durant and Booker due to early injury. (Again.)

[{"selector":"#anim-1c919cb4-1b56-4adc-91a2-b757d6ff1ef4 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(3.9908967012803624%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d9a13104-515f-4ccf-a90f-c4a4def3d77f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c949ae63-1edb-42d7-88d1-5923c2730900","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(104.41988%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-72a3442a-cfcc-40b7-99a3-660aead8b12a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-dd4092a3-c5f2-451f-aab8-9e61a5bf85cd","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-130.9804%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Yellow Wavy Line

Dereck Lively II, Dallas' immediate-impact rookie rim-runner and defender, has outscored opponents by 7.1 points-per-100 with him on the floor and 4.2 off it, but he got hurt.

[{"selector":"#anim-c8286c7e-6b45-45fc-b3d0-796475222aef [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(12.579448925475923%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-dd6c9665-2919-45a2-a07c-f27a281e7898","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-90db997e-065a-48ff-9366-5b419783e689","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(104.41988%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d66ad6a1-6fde-4373-a635-e985f2a221fe","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1fcb1892-cc0c-4b26-ae70-52e8ac9a310a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-130.9804%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Yellow Wavy Line

I couldn't copy/paste my "Holy crap!" see out how fantastic this older guy is!" LeBron for KD after writing 2,000 pages about Point Book. However, holy stuff! How remarkable is this elder man!

[{"selector":"#anim-bd26e530-1a23-47a3-8e6f-e4da2a0c5f9d [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(9.67741935483871%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f8fafb2e-738a-4943-a392-4ee2a15fb3b5","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3fea7eef-a332-416b-937c-b0bfa349051c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(104.41988%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e120d5fb-8798-4548-9541-02daceb80324","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-96b19421-0804-4b48-b37b-c66e18e287fd","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-130.9804%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Yellow Wavy Line

also see

[{"selector":"#anim-32a592d9-4dc9-41be-9527-433f588b49ad","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(116.71925%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.2, 0, .8, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ba63bd09-1b23-4dcc-9b65-45eb0bad5d53","keyframes":{"transform":["rotateZ(180deg)","rotateZ(0deg)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.2, 0, .5, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3e67a448-170d-427c-a158-92815ec68c19","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-198f95ab-5129-4267-85ad-9688a0db9068","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-106.28415%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f9e87f76-979b-4671-b884-573cf18aeeae","keyframes":[{"offset":0,"transform":"translate3d(0, -346.84349%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.29,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.45,"transform":"translate3d(0, -97.532389388%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.61,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.71,"transform":"translate3d(0, -33.158237643999996%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.8,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.85,"transform":"translate3d(0, -12.451681291%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.92,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.96,"transform":"translate3d(0, -5.410758443999999%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":1,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"}],"delay":0,"duration":600,"fill":"both"}] Swipe Up

The 5 most interesting players of the NBA Christmas Day slate

NBA Christmas Day is talented. Last four NBA champions, three more NBA Finals teams, and more perennial powerhouses follow. Six MVPs,

11 of last season's 15 All-NBA finalists, 30 All-Stars, and several more who may get their first in weeks are expected. Maxey and Brunson appear.

The Bucks and their recovering superstars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard are still appealing. After writing about them last month and reading about their two-man game and defensive consistency

Julius Randle, Knicks

(with Milwaukee still near the top of the NBA in scoring efficiency while figuring it out and 13th on defence since switching back to drop coverage in the pick-and-roll), I focused on the other All-NBA forward in the matinee.

Curry and Jokić are both exceptional players with unique skills that can make you care about even the smallest details. Curry is a jaw-dropping player,

Klay Thompson, Warrior

while Jokić is a playmaking visionary with vast abilities. They are two of only 15 players in NBA history to win MVP multiple times. Their presence is captivating.

Pointing out one of the most decorated, acknowledged, and famous basketball players ever, who Thomas Haberstroh previously stated had four Hall of Fame resumes.

LeBron James, Laker

Playing hits is cliché because people enjoy to dance, and correctness doesn't require brains. In his 21st season, a week before his 39th birthday, LeBron might still be a top-10 or top-five player.

A disorganised Sixers squad two months ago is fighting the Celtics and Bucks for the East lead for various reasons. Top-25 player Maxey and new coach Nick Nurse give the offence mobility and variety.

Joel Embiid, 76er

After James Harden left, Philadelphia added draft picks, wing depth, and Nicolas Batum, a low-usage, high-efficiency veteran 4. Top NBA power forwards Post-Harden, Melton, Maxey, and Batum average 33.3 PPG.

Kyrie Irving was Dallas' ideal backup—high-efficiency, low-turnover, and able to keep the attack going until Luka came. Suffered. Beal struggled with Durant and Booker due to early injury. (Again.)

Luka Dončić, Maverick

Dereck Lively II, Dallas' immediate-impact rookie rim-runner and defender, has outscored opponents by 7.1 points-per-100 with him on the floor and 4.2 off it, but he got hurt.

I couldn't copy/paste my "Holy crap!" see out how fantastic this older guy is!" LeBron for KD after writing 2,000 pages about Point Book. However, holy stuff! How remarkable is this elder man!

also see

also see

Dennis Allen defends onside kick: We hadn't done a great job of stopping them