Orlando head grouch Stan Van Gundy has considerable experience in demanding more time with his family, and hours before his Magic were undone by a near-triple double by Boston’s Rajon Rondo, The Master Of Panic spoke against the NBA’s busy Christmas schedule of games, telling a number of reporters “I think we get a little carried away with ourselves in sports thinking we™re a lot more important than anything else.  Funny, you could make the same argument about some Xtians.  Further quotes, courtesy the Fanhouse’s Tim Potvak :

“I would rather not play on Christmas,” Van Gundy said. “This is a day to spend with your family. The league has been good to all of us in terms of what we get (big money) out of these TV games, so it would sound a little disingenuous to complain too much. But if I had my way, we’d take a five-day Christmas break.”

He said he would not be watching any of the other four games being played Friday. He did say he used to watch the Knicks and the Rockets play when his brother Jeff was coaching those teams.

“I won’t watch one second of the other four games. I have no interest. That’s not great advertisement for the  league, but I actually feel sorry for people who have nothing to do on Christmas Day other than watch an NBA game,” he said. “If there’s a holiday, we’re playing. That’s just the way it is.”

Much as I appreciate Stan’s pity, here’s the deal.  I’ve already been to the movies, eaten chinese food, killed Christ, made an obscene phone call to Charlie Ward,  charged onerous interest rates for loans and taken part in a vast conspiracy to control the media and entertainment industries. Having accomplished all of that before 2:30 eastern time, should I be mocked for having little else left to do than watch the NBA?

It’s a multi-cultural world you’re living in, V.G.   OK, maybe not you, but the rest of us.  The entire planet doesn’t observe Christmas, but if I’m gonna feel bad about someone working on a national holiday, there’s Walgreens and 7-11 employees across the country who’ll get my empathy far quicker.