NBA replaces Shaquille O’Neal vs. Kobe Bryant / Heat vs. Lakers with Dwyane Wade vs. LeBron James / Heat vs. Cavaliers

The Miami Herald reports that:

After three years, the NBA and ABC wisely concluded the novelty has worn off Shaq vs. Kobe/Heat vs. Lakers on Christmas. Instead, word is the NBA will have the Heat play in Cleveland on Christmas, creating a Dwyane Wade vs. LeBron James matchup.

Though the schedule circulating is tentative, Heat-Cavs is expected to be one of two ABC games that day, a league source said.

My Quick Take: I get in trouble on Christmas. Instead of rejoicing in the festivities I sit my ass in front of the big screen with plates of warm food and buckets of cold beer.

One thing is on my mind: the NBA double header. Friends are an afterthought. Hey, if we’re really boys my basketball obsession won’t offend you on Jesus’ birthday, right? And family? Well, I love my blood clan, but there are games to watch.

I enforce a strict no-talking policy during game action. All “Merry Christmases”, “Happy Holidays”, and general well-wishes can be exchanged during the sixty second commercial breaks.

Friends and family are somewhat useful on December 25th. Friends re-stock my plate, while family, especially my five nephews, can fetch me beers from the fridge.

Who says the holidays aren’t about giving? Kidding and jokes aside, the NBA recently announced their Christmas Day schedule.

For the first time in three years, Shaquille O’Neal and the Miami Heat will not be playing Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers on Christmas Day. Their grudge no longer exists, so the league decided to feature other games.

But South Beach doesn’t get to enjoy the holiday. Miami will play Cleveland on Christmas Day; the league wants to showcase Dwyane Wade and LeBron James.

The NBA has made a smart decision. Right or wrong, fair or not, Bryant has received some negative press this summer. And his saga isn’t over; the All-Star could conceivably get traded or refuse to report to training camp. With such an uncertain situation, the league couldn’t feature Bryant and the Lakers in the main event game. It’s too much of a risk.

Hopefully, Kobe, the world’s most talented player, gets to do his thing on Christmas. One option: a Lakers and Suns early morning undercard before the Heat and Cavaliers take center stage later in the day.

Hit us with your thoughts in the comment box below. Click here to read and subscribe to Oly Sandor’s NBA Blog.