Lockout? What Lockout?

I am sure two or three of you may have noticed that The Daily Hat Trick has been dormant for the last week. I was on a little vacation. Relax. Unlike Jim Rome, I cannot "take so much vacation because I get so much vacation". I only get so much vacation!

Today I would like to discuss the NFL and NBA lockouts. Sports? It’s just a game! Right? At the moment, we have no NFL and no NBA. The major football and basketball leagues of the world have no players because the owners have locked the players out. Today, we are going to hop into the DeLorean from Back to the Future, travel a few months ahead, and see what the world will be like if the NFL and NBA lockouts continue.

To the fall...! 1

August, 2011 – At an average American sports bar

Man: "Okay guys. Thanks for showing up. It’s that time of year again. Time for another fantasy draft. Okay so here’s how we’re gonna do it. Since there’s no football, we’re gonna draft players and earn points based on what they did in the same week last year."

Wow. Brett Favre still isn’t completely retired! Let’s drift a little further ahead into the fall.

I know it isn't very PC to compare Brett Favre to herpes, but neither seems to ever go away. 2

October 2011 - At a house gathering anywhere in America
Man: "I’ve gotta say, fellas, this is a much better crowd than I expected for our big championship game party. Hey. Turn up the TV a little."

TV Announcer: "It’s a perfect October evening for the biggest night in professional football in America in the 2011 season. The UFL Championship game, with league MVP Daunte Culpepper, will be underway shortly."

Daunte Culpepper's 15 minutes can last a little longer thanks to the lockout. 3

Ordinarily, all would not be lost for the American sports fan, with basketball season starting up in late October. Alas, that may not be the case this year.


Dallas, Texas - Halloween Weekend, 2011

PA Announcer: "Ladies and gentlemen, please turn your attention to the northwest corner of the American Airlines Center , as we unveil the 2011 championship banner of YOUR…DALLAS MAVERICKS!!!" (crowd noise & jock jam music kicks in)

PA announcer: (music continues) "And now, the tip off…of Game 6 of last year’s NBA finals on the Jumbotron!!!"

It wouldn't be the first time this year that the best sports action in Dallas is above the floor instead of on it. 4

And what will we do in June if the NBA players are still locked out?


June 2012

TV Announcer: (crowd noise in the background) "Folks, the atmosphere is electric. Fans have been waiting for this series for quite some time. Miami is back, trying to claim the elusive championship series win and, of course, they will face Houston . There’s the first pitch…( PING !) and the 2012 College World Series is underway!"

Not really what I think of when I think of Miami pursuing a chamionship in June. 5

So never fear, sports fans. Remember that in America , we know how to improvise. And hey, if the Mrs. is nagging you on a Sunday afternoon, just tell her that the “honey do” list will have to wait until after PBA Bowling is over!

Does ANYONE actually watch this stuff on Sunday afternoons in the fall???

1) Image from grounaqeniv.blogspot.com
2) Image from technorati.com
3) Image from sportressofblogitude.com
4) Image from dallasing.com
5) Image from iconsmiselect.com
6) Image from pba.com