Ex-NBA star Jason Williams argues how NBA Christmas Day is better than NFL Thanksgiving

The two biggest holidays of the season are always a great time for sports. For years, the Thanksgiving holiday has belonged to the NFL while the NBA garners most of the Christmas day viewership. This has remained the primary factor behind the debate about the better festive sports day: NFL Thanksgiving or NBA Christmas? Former NBA star Jason Williams thinks that the NBA might be winning this battle.

If one grew up during the era of Jason Williams, any fan would know the name White Chocolate. He was one of the most exciting players to watch in the NBA. Joining WNBA star DiDi Richards on a special show by Playmaker, Williams revealed his pick between the battle of the two festive occasions.

The NFL’s Thanksgiving games have attracted large viewership numbers compared to the NBA. However, Williams picked the legacy and branding that surround the NBA’s Christmas day games as the superior one.

White Chocolate thinks NBA Christmas is better than NFL Thanksgiving ?

(? @playmaker ) pic.twitter.com/z1Xyc13xHP

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) November 29, 2024

It ranges from the customized jerseys to the Christmas courts and Christmas exclusive commercials featuring some of the biggest stars in the NBA. Jason Williams agreed, too, revealing how the Christmas Day games certainly hold a lot more relevance in sports than the NFL’s Thanksgiving alternative.

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How many NBA Christmas Games has Jason Williams played in?

On the show, Jason Williams was asked about his own experiences playing in the NBA’s marquee midseason matchup. The ex-player candidly revealed that he had only played in a couple of Christmas day games at best. Well, Williams’ memory may not serve him the best, as the former Miami Heat champion has featured in quite a few NBA Christmas games.

His first appearance was with the Miami Heat during the 2005-06 season. At the time, he played against the Los Angeles Lakers in a 97-92 victory for the Heat. An iconic 40-point performance by Dwayne Wade helped the team win. The Heat, of course, would go on to win the NBA Championship later that season, earning the ‘White Chocolate’ his only ring.

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In the next few seasons, Jason Williams would appear twice more on Christmas Day for the Miami Heat before his final Christmas game with the Orlando Magic in the 2009 season. He would finish his NBA career with a 2-2 record in NBA Christmas games, with averages of 6.5 points, 3 assists and 3.3 rebounds in those games.

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