In a recent interview, Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo voiced his frustration over the NBA’s decision to exclude his team from the Christmas Day schedule. The two-time MVP questioned the logic behind leaving the Bucks, who have been regulars on the holiday stage in recent years, off the lineup this season.
“There’s gotta be an algorithm because if it’s — how can I say — like a popularity contest, I can give you facts. You want me to? Two of the NBA All-Star starters, Dame (Lillard) and Giannis, and the All-Star MVP, right? And the No. 1 vote-getter — not in the East, in the whole NBA — is not in the Christmas game? What? No, it’s a fact. The votes came out last year. I was the No. 1. Dame was a starter. I was a starter. Dame won the MVP. Dame won the 3-point contest. Maybe that has nothing to do with it. I believe we were one of the best teams in the East last year. Maybe not this year, OK. We don’t get a Christmas game. Why? Because we got a small market? Maybe that’s the case. Or I want to believe what I tell you, I think there’s an algorithm within the NBA that they choose which team will get the most attention, the most viewership that day.”
Antetokounmpo’s comments highlight a broader issue within the NBA: the criteria for selecting teams to play on Christmas Day. While the league has not publicly disclosed the exact algorithm or criteria used, it’s widely believed that factors such as market size, team popularity, and potential viewership play a significant role in the decision-making process.
The Bucks’ exclusion is particularly puzzling given their consistent performance and star power. Antetokounmpo, averaging 32.7 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game, and Damian Lillard, contributing 25.7 points and 7.5 assists per game, form a dynamic duo that would undoubtedly draw viewers.
The NBA’s Christmas Day games are a marquee event, showcasing elite matchups and star-studded performances. This year’s lineup includes matchups between the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics, Minnesota Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks, and Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns. The absence of the Bucks and their star players from this lineup has sparked a debate about the fairness and transparency of the selection process.
