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The Golden State Warriors dynasty was effectively launched in 2014. The franchise won four NBA titles in eight years.
The rise to prominence after decades of irrelevance, combined with a star-studded roster that continues to include Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, pushed the Warriors into the company of the NBA’s top teams. That status has made Golden State a regular pick to play on Christmas Day, appearing in each of the last 13 seasons.
The Warriors last won the NBA Finals in 2022, and the roster has undergone some changes in recent seasons, although Golden State managed to defeat the Dallas Mavericks on Christmas Day last week. However, Green said he would have preferred to have the day off.
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Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) reacts during the first half against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena. (William Liang/Image Images)
Green argued that scheduling games for Dec. 25 negatively impacts players’ ability to spend time with their families over the holidays.
“Playing on Christmas Day sucks too. And the reason it sucks is, number one, what I just said, uh, it can affect your mood,” Draymond said on his podcast before this year’s Christmas game.
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“No. 2, we are human beings and like everyone else, we enjoy Christmas Day with our families. That’s a little complicated for us. Um, they are at home or on vacation with their families, making memories.”
Draymond Green (23) of the Golden State Warriors watches during the game against the Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center on March 20, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images)
“No… we don’t have that opportunity. So I hate when people say, ‘Oh man, it’s an honor to play on Christmas Day.’ People should shut up. Like, no, you should shut up, because whether you played on Christmas Day or not, I don’t, I don’t really care about the perspective.”
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) runs off the court after being ejected during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns on December 12, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Green was a second-round pick in 2012, meaning he has spent every Christmas since his rookie season on the court.
While the NBA has shown no signs of ending its Christmas tradition, the league now faces competition from the NFL. This year, three NFL games went head-to-head with the NBA roster.
The Warriors defeated the Brooklyn Nets 120-107 on Monday. Golden State returns to action on New Year’s Eve for a matinee matchup against the Charlotte Hornets.
