*Sure enough, the NBA’s 149-day lockout ended in time for the holidays. Somehow, it just wouldn’t have seemed like Christmas without Celtics vs. Knicks, Heat vs. Mavericks, Bulls vs. Lakers and Clippers vs. Warriors.
In stark contrast is the NHL. No, they don’t have the ratings and network cachet and financial success of the NBA, but they do get the holidays. Players are home with their families over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Games or practices are prohibited. That’s the NHL’s holiday tradition.
*How twisted is it that fights and near riots broke out across the country in response to Nike’s release of its new Air Jordan basketball shoes. Some shoppers even stood in long lines through the night to get their hands on–and feet into–the (actually, retro) sneakers that retail for $180. But it could have been worse. Some buyers were mugged and even killed for early versions of the shoe, created by Nike in 1985.