The Lakers have not won a Xmas day game since 2001, against Iverson and the 76ers. 5 years and 5 losses later I am officially sick of Xmas day games. I plan my entire day around the game. Why? It's disappointing.
In 04, Kobe took the team into OT and had he hit that final 3, they would have won. That was a let down. Last year, the Lakes spent most of the game with a 10pt lead, then they let that one slip away.
With Shaq sitting out it, this years game was dubbed the Wade/Kobe match up. The Lakers didn't stand a chance. The looked like visitors tired from their road trip. Tired from the Make-A-Wish and other charitable Xmas events they participated in. Kobe seems sick, and just not feeling it. He shot 1 – 9 in the first half. I can shoot 1 – 9. 11%. Yep, I can shoot 11%.
I miss the old days when I used to do stuff on Xmas. Disneyland, movies, BASE jumping and street luge. I hope the Lakers don't play next Xmas. What is supposed to be a tradition is just making me sad on a day of joy and peace. It's hard enough being a Jewish kid who is supposed to eat Panda Express and not get presents. Why do I also have to deal with Lakers losses each and every year?
| Year | Opponent | W/L | Score |
| 1999 | San Antonio Spurs | W | 99 – 93 |
| 2000 | Portland Blazers | L | 104 – 109 |
| 2001 | Philadelphia Sixers | W | 88 – 82 |
| 2002 | Sacramento Kings | L | 99 – 105 |
| 2003 | Houston Rockets | L | 87 – 99 |
| 2004 | Miami Heat | L | 102 – 104 |
| 2005 | Miami Heat | L | 92 – 97 |
| 2006 | Miami Heat | L | 85 – 101 |
In the past 7 years and 8 Xmas Day games, the Lakers are a mere 2 – 6. Raise your hand if you think this tradition is just whack! I bet there are a lot of hands in the air right now.
By the way, what happened with the HD coverage? Did anyone else notice that the game was not in HD on the HD ABC channel until 4 minutes left in the 3rd quarter? I commented (to myself) how unHD the game appeared. The logo was fuzzy and distorted and the background was far too blurry for HD. After a commercial break, with just over 4 minutes left in the 3rd quarter, the ABC HD logo appeared in the bottom right corner and the game was in 1080i. Did they forget? Did the only guy who knows how to operate the HD switch at ABC come in late? Is there only 1 guy and 1 switch? And if so, why? I guess I will just chalk that up to part of the unpleasant and joyless experience known as Xmas Day Lake Show.
Next year I am going to Hawaii for Xmas and hopefully the Lakers won't be playing.