Like a good ‘made in America’ product, the NBA knows how to make the most of the call ‘Christmas spirit’ America, which these days floods every corner and impregnates any element related to the championship: from the programming of various big games for December 25th, to the decorations of the pavilions, including the “cheerleaders”, the mascots, … or even the jerseys of the team, with ‘teasers’ and special editions just for Christmas.
But, as often happens in any other working environment, all is not rosy, not even in the NBA.
Despite the general image of joy and goodness they try to convey these days, the truth is this the nba never rests and their motto “it’s not personal, it’s just business” can be applied to any day of the year.
The “grinches” of the NBA
And it is that, over the years, there have been several players who have experienced, in their own flesh, the worst face of Christmas: be fired on December 25th (or, to be exact, one day earlier, because the 25th is a holiday).
Players who, instead of receiving a visit from Santa Clausappeared to them, without expecting it, the ‘Grinch‘ of Natale, normally personified in the figure of the ‘general manager’ of the team in question.
Below, we show you the cases of the best known players, but the list is completed with names like Tony Written (Philadelphia, 2015), Donald Sloan (Cleveland, 2012), Mark Cousin (Houston, 2011), I am Uzo (Charlotte, 2011), Sharrod Ford (Phoenix, 2005) or Slavko Vranes (New York, 2003).
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1990: A Christmas with Lots of ‘Coal’
To find the first cuts on Christmas Day, we have to go back to 1990, when several were produced, including those of Pat Cummings (Utah), TR Dunn (Denver), Mike Woodson (Cleveland), Dave Popsson (Boston), Kelvin Upshaw (Dallas), Jim Farmer (Philadelphia) Fr Pete Myers (Sant ‘Antonio).
2019
Jeff Green
(Utah jazz)
The current Denver Nuggets forward is the only player on this list who, at age 36, is still active in the NBA. Selected No. 5 in the draft in 2007, during his 16-year career (although he did not play in 2011/12 due to heart problems) he has gone through a total of 11 teams, although, without a doubt, he has had his worst experience in the ranks of the Utah Jazz: he signed with those of Salt Lake City on July 20, 2019 and on December 24 of the same year he was cut, after averaging
2011
Nate Robinson
(Oklahoma City Thunder)
This singular point guard has long been known for being the shortest player in the NBA (1.75)…and for being the only one able to win three dunk contests! Following his stellar stint with the Knicks, Robinson was traded to the Celtics and then to the Thunder, where he was cut one day before Christmas 2011, after playing in just 4 games, averaging 3.3 points and 1 .5 assists
2011
Eddie house
(Miami Heat)
Another NBA globetrotter, House went through 9 teams in his 11 seasons in the league, even as he overcame the difficult challenge of starting and ending his career with the same team, the Miami Heat. Winner of the NBA champion ring in 2008 among the ranks of the Boston Celtics, he experienced his end as an NBA player, after being cut by the Heat themselves, one day before Christmas 2011.
2009
Marco Giaric
(Memphis Grizzlies)
Best known to the general public for having, for a time, been the companion of ‘supermodel’ Adriana Lima, this Serbian point guard has had a consistent career in the NBA, averaging over 7 points and 4 assists, although injuries have diminished his performance in his last year in the league (2.6 points and 1.4 assists) and the Grizzlies cut his contract to coincide with Christmas 2009. As a curious note, Jaric ‘returned’ to the NBA three years later , although he did not make his debut in the ranks of the Chicago Bulls, who released him just before the start of the 2011/12 season, three weeks after signing him.
2004
Marcus Haislip
(Indiana Pacers)
An old acquaintance of European fans (he played for Efes) and Spanish ones (he played for Unicaja Malaga between 2007 and 2009), he experienced his most bitter episode in Christmas 2004, just before starting his European adventure . : The Indiana Pacers cut his contract three weeks after he signed it, coinciding with Christmas Eve. Even his averages in the Pacers (3.6 points and 1.7 rebounds in 9 games) do not invite optimism and herald a long career in the NBA. Haislip tried again in 2009/10, but even his tenure at the San Antonio Spurs fell short of 10 games.
1990
Wood Lion
(Sacrament King)
Olympic champion, together with Michale Jordan, at the Olympic Games. from Los Angeles in 1984 and number 10 in the Draft of the same year, Wood’s career was very promising… but it was not confirmed when he arrived in the NBA: 6 teams in as many seasons (with a brief spell in CAI Zaragoza, at 88 /89, with averages of almost 20 points per game), and a final cut on Christmas Day by the Sacramento Kings, after averaging 6.8 points and 4.1 rebounds. At 28 he left basketball as a player but then made a name for himself in the NBA… as a referee!
1990
Avery Johnson
(denver nuggets)
The former starting point guard for the 1999 NBA champion San Antonio Spurs didn’t have an easy start in the league, experiencing his worst moment during the 1990/91 season when he was a member of the Denver Nuggets. After playing in just 21 games (and starting just 4) the Colorados cut him out for Christmas after averaging 3.8 points and 3.7 assists per game.
