NBA fumbled a golden opportunity by freezing out the Pistons

The NBA's decision to schedule the New York Knicks versus the Cleveland Cavaliers for Christmas Day is criticized as a missed opportunity, as it overlooks a more compelling matchup between the Knicks and the Detroit Pistons.

The Pistons, who lead the Eastern Conference by 3.5 games over the Knicks, were excluded from the Christmas slate. The article argues the NBA made a shortsighted scheduling error, failing to capitalize on the chance to feature two classic, resurgent franchises with large, passionate fanbases.

The budding Pistons-Knicks rivalry is highlighted as particularly valuable. It is fueled by a heated playoff series from the previous year and active fan engagement online, featuring star players like Cade Cunningham and Jalen Brunson who are easy to market. In contrast, the Cavaliers, currently a disappointing 7th seed, do not offer the same animosity or competitive appeal against the Knicks.

Ultimately, the article contends the NBA passed on a chance to promote a genuine, modern rivalry on a marquee day, settling for a less compelling game while the Pistons and Knicks won't meet until January 6th.