Feliz Navidad | LA Bowl | Local Hoops | Local Ice Pond | YouTube Rabbithole
Alright @YouTheReader,
Today’s Christmas Classic is Feliz Navidad by José Feliciano. This tune was released in 1970. The Puerto Rican singer-songwriter knew exactly what he was doing when he made the song bilingual. He told Billboard, "If I had left in Spanish only, then I knew the English stations might not play it, so I decided to write an English lyric, 'I want to wish you a merry Christmas.' And then there was no way the stations could lock that song out of the programming." (Song Facts) This tune has been around for half a century but it still may be peaking in terms of popularity as it reached #6 on the US Billboard Hot 100 during Christmas of ‘21.
Luckily for all of you, I took español in high school, so I can translate the non-English parts with proficiency!
[Chorus]
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas
Happy New Year and Happiness
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas
Happy New Year and Happiness
@YouTheReader You’re welcome!! 🫡
José Feliciano wrote this song in 10 minutes and produced the original recording in one take. He told the New Yorker, “That’s why it’s the simplest song ever written. Nineteen words to it. I wanted a song that belonged to the masses." It sure has, it’s a great Christmas Classic!
On to the Sports…
The UCLA Bruins will take on the Boise State Broncos in the LA Bowl sponsored by STARCO Brands and hosted by Rob Gronkowski. This bowl game will be played at SoFi Stadium. It is only the 3rd LA Bowl of all time as the 1st two took place in ‘21 & ‘22 with Jimmy Kimmel as the host. It features a Mountain West Conference and PAC-12 teams. UCLA and Boise State have only played each other once in football history as the Bruins beat the Broncos 38-7 back in 1999. The team from LA went 7-5 while Idaho’s squad went 8-5.
If I’m being honest, I kinda have to question how into UCLA is going to be in this matchup. They favored but will be without some of their top defenders as pass rusher Laiatu Latu (21 1/2 tackles for loss) is preparing for the NFL, while S Kamari Ramsey and CB John Humphrey have entered the transfer portal. In addition to Ramsey and Humphrey, freshman QB Dante Moore has also entered the transfer pool so QB Ethan Garbers will get the nod. Gabers injured his shoulder in the last game of their regular season but the week prior led the Bruins to victory over USC. Defensively, UCLA will have to rely on edge rusher Gabriel Murphy to apply pressure. The junior had the 2nd most sacks on the team with 7 and was named an All-Pac-12 honorable mention.
Boise State will be without their QB1 or QB2 as Taylen Green has transferred to Arkansas and Maddux Madsen suffered a season-ending injury. The Broncos will turn to freshman CJ Tiller to make his 1st collegiate start. Tiller has taken snaps in a game before but has never attempted a pass so I got nothing. One star that I’m sure Boise State will lean on is sophomore RB Ashton Jeanty. This season, Jeanty rushed for 1,262 yards and scored 14 TDs while also being a reliable pass catcher out of the backfield (39 catches, 2nd most on the team). Jeanty is not eligible for the NFL Draft this spring but will likely be in the league come ‘25. I’ll take Boise State over the Bruins.
Prediction: 27-24 Boise State (+5.5 Boise State & Over 48)
As the College Football season comes to a close, enter the winter sports. Let’s take a quick look at how the local NBA teams are doing…
…well they look like they are in net neutral which is okay because everybody knows the NBA doesn’t start until Christmas Day anyway. Also since I’m just catching up on the NBA, what are we counting that NBA In-Season Championship in terms of LeBron’s legacy? Is it like coming in 1st place in spring training in baseball or The Players at TPC Sawgrass in golf?
Manhattan
The Knicks rank 18th in points scored per game while averaging 113.1 and they allow 110 points per game which is good for 6th best in the Association. Their 3 lefties lead the way in scoring as PG Jalen Brunson (24.7 points + 5.7 assists), PF Julius Randle (22.4 points + 9.7 rebounds), and SG RJ Barrett (19 points). The Knicks have 4 former Villanova champions in Brunson, SF Josh Hart, SG Donte DiVincenzo, and SG Ryan Arcidiacono. They play on Christmas Day against the Bucks at noon ET.
Brooklyn
Offensively, the Nets have scored the 9th most points per game in the NBA at 116.3 points per game. On defense they are 18th in the NBA, allowing 116.3 points per game. The Nets’ two top scorers are Cam Thomas (22.7 ppg) and Mikal Bridges (22.5 ppg). Thomas is only 22 years old and in his 3rd season out of LSU. Bridges played with some of the Nova Knicks in college and has taken his scoring up a notch ever since he was traded from the Suns in the Kevin Durant deal last season. Brooklyn doesn’t play on Christmas Day this year but will host the Knicks this upcoming Wednesday night.
Unlike basketball where the fellas are a quarter into the season and still getting their legs under them, I know the boys on ice have been grueling it out since the puck first dropped. I apologize to all fans of hockey for making you wait for Local Puck Talk. Since I’m late to the party, please feel free to shoot over your insights and tips on the great game played on ice. Let’s take a look at the standings in the Metro…
Wow, would you look at that, the boys in blue are sitting at the top of the standings, followed by the guys Out East. What the hell happened to Jersey, eh?
Manhattan
Leading the Rangers in scoring is Breadman. Artemi Panarin got his 700th NHL Point this week. He also leads the Rangers in goals scored (16) and assists (23). I guess he’s starting to shoot more. Always thought he had it in him!
Out East
Last year when I was covering the boys Out East I remember they had real trouble scoring, now I’m reading that one of their centers, Mathew Barzal, already has 10 goals on the season. Barzal a year ago only had 14 goals in twice the number of games played. I guess the 26-year-old is ascending on the island.
New Jersey
I guess the Devils are off to a slow start. I was worried I was going to check the injury report and see Jack Hughes out, but he leads Jersey in points on the year with 34 in 22 games. Hughes also just scored a game-winner in OT and they have just won 7 of their last 9, so maybe Jersey is on their way to back.