Phil Jackson Critiques NBA’s Holiday Game Scheduling Amid Playoffs

LOS ANGELES, CA — Phil Jackson, the legendary NBA coach, has publicly criticized the league’s decision to hold games on Christmas and Easter. This remark, made on his X account, marks only his second post since 2018 and underlines his ongoing concerns about the NBA’s embrace of holiday schedules.

Jackson expressed his discontent with the NBA’s choice to schedule multiple playoff games over Easter weekend, a sacred day for many. “Again the NBA tests faith by playing multiple games on Christmas and Easter…sacred days,” he stated, signaling his disapproval of the league’s prioritization of entertainment over tradition.

This is not the first instance of Jackson voicing criticism towards the NBA. In a recent conversation on the “Tetragrammaton with Rick Rubin” podcast, he condemned the league’s adoption of social justice messaging during the 2020 season, referring to the slogans displayed on courts as “wanky.” He explained that while the NBA aimed to gain a broader audience, it inadvertently alienated many fans who prefer sports to remain apolitical. “Politics stays out of the game; it doesn’t need to be there,” Jackson remarked, reflecting his views on the intersection of sports and politics.

Despite Jackson’s influential history within the NBA, his recent comments may not shift the prevailing attitudes of the league or its audience. Fans have consistently shown a strong inclination to watch holiday games, as seen during both Easter and Christmas, even amid Jackson’s concerns.

Simultaneously, during the recent Easter weekend, Major League Baseball also held a full slate of games, and the NHL proceeded with three playoff matches, further highlighting the competitive landscape of sports viewership during holidays. The NFL has notably made inroads into the Christmas market, a day traditionally dominated by basketball.

Jackson’s illustrious career spans nearly five decades, earning him the title of the greatest coach in NBA history. He won 11 championships as a head coach with both the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers, as well as two titles as a player with the New York Knicks. Since stepping down from coaching in 2011, his involvement in the league has been minimal, with brief stints as president of the Knicks and as an advisor for the Lakers.

Jackson’s reign as a coach saw him develop the renowned triangle offense and guide stars like Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Kobe Bryant, and Shaquille O’Neal to greatness. Despite some successful executive decisions, like drafting Kristaps Porzingis in 2015, his tenure as an executive did not compare to his coaching achievements.

With this year’s playoff games starting on Easter, Jackson’s frustrations may resonate with some traditionalists who remember the significance of these holidays. The NBA’s scheduling decisions continue to provoke discussion, as the interplay between major sporting events and widely observed holidays could pressure the league to reconsider its strategies in the future.

— Priyanshu Choudhary, 5 hours ago