“The NFL got greedy and started adding Christmas games,” Barkley said on Inside the NBA. “We used to have this day to ourselves, but Roger Goodell and them pigs at the NFL always want to hog every day of the week now. Christmas is an NBA day.”

LeBron James is set to make his record-breaking 20th Christmas Day appearance as the Lakers face the Rockets. Both teams aim to break losing streaks. James is fully available, carrying a heavy offensive load for the Lakers amidst several key lineup uncertainties.

When asked what it means to play in his 20th Christmas game, James gave an honest answer about understanding the importance while personally preferring to have that day off.

After having dipped its toes in the Christmas waters last season with two games, the NFL is wading deeper into the pool this year with three games Thursday.