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Ray Allen likes playing on Christmas 12.23.10 at 6:06 pm ET
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Ray Allen

Many players, and coaches, have expressed their dislike for playing on Christmas Day, which is one of the NBA’s showcase days. Ray Allen, however, is not among them.

“I always felt like it was a privilege,” Allen said Wednesday night before the Celtics played the 76ers. “You come into the league and you see the team playing on Christmas, it’s always the upper echelon teams in this league. You feel like you made it. It’s a similar feeling with playoff basketball. People at home are watching and you want to be one of those teams playing.”

Allen said that one of the highlights of his Christmas was watching Michael Jordan play. He also acknowledged that players aren’t the only ones who have to do their jobs.

“That’s just the environment we live,” he said. “It’s entertainment. We work, everyone else in the building has to work. I think these are those times you appreciate them and you take full advantage of them because when we retire we’re not going to be a part of them. You try to enjoy it now because it doesn’t last forever.”

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  • John

    They should NOT play games on holidays like Christmas. That guy on WEEI right not is a total douche. Maybe HE doesn’t mind working on a holiday but plenty of people (including basketball players) DO mind. In most other jobs, religious observances, which (whether you agree or not) Christmas IS, are protected time by the CONSTITUTION. Maybe that idiot on your show should read it someday (hint: try the first amendment, he should be able to count that high)

    Why is it that whenever there is a non-Christian holiday, like Ramadan, or Yom Kippur we (rightfully) bend over backward to accommodate the person, but if it’s Christian holiday it’s …”Oh, C’mon, What’s the difference?” Christians are getting pretty sick of it.

  • Dom

    Say what, John? The Constitution protects the freedom of choosing or abstaining from a a religion. How does the Constitution even hint on not working on Christmas? And how does any other institution let its employees celebrate every day of Hannukah? If anything, businesses, schools, and other public and private places observe Christmas more so than non-Christian holidays hence why schools’ winter breaks happen in time for Christmas; why stores and post offices are closed Christmas Day.

    There’s nothing illegal about working on Christmas.

    Ray Allen was merely saying it’s an honor to be among one of the top teams — one that gets the glory of playing a game on Christmas Day.

  • MrPC

    John, go back to the 700 club. Either you have not read the amendment you referenced, or you did and didn’t GET IT.

  • HONDO

    I whole heartedly agree with Ray. There are millions of people who work for a whole lot less than professional athletes, and do it because they have to to put bread on the table. When you are a professional at anything and make millions, you can’t get picky about when and where. You are in a small window of opportunity and you thank the Lord for the talent you’ve been given.

  • tangy

    So refreshing to see a player behave like a true professional. It’s great being an
    NBA pro and I commend Ray being a caring person. Uconn should be proud to call
    Ray a Huskie.

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