Surviving the Worst Three Months for Sports Fans
Everyone raves about summer for reasons I’m sure you already have heard a million times. (Good weather, no school, vacation, and cracking many cold ones, for those of you who couldn’t think of the reasons.) For some of us these things are good fun, but don’t distract us from the fact that it is the absolute worst time to be obsessed with sports, because well… there really aren’t any. *Baseball fanatic closes article*. I actually do like baseball, but when it comes to being an avid baseball fan, Green Day said it best: “Wake Me Up When September Ends”.
From the moment the clock ran out in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, until the moment the NFL kicks off on September 7th, part of my life will be completely empty. So my biggest challenge this summer is finding the best way to fill the void.
Obvious way to burn through hours of spare time. An endless source of comedy and entertainment. Where else can you see drunk college kids falling off houses, scroll one time and see Trump supporters and haters going at each others necks? (A couple must-follows: @BarstoolBigCat @SheaSerrano @trillballins @ColeyMick and a local shoutout @DANCEPAPII.)
2. Listen to Podcasts Until Your Ears Bleed
Podcasts are taking over. If you aren’t in the podcast listening game yet, it’s time to come out from under your rock. For one, there is almost unlimited content covering any subject you care about. Second, it’s a great excuse to always have headphones in. (Talking to strangers is THE worst.) Even though sports are dead for the summer, people talking about them is not. (Pods to check out: Bill Simmons Podcast, anything from The Ringer, Pardon My Take, Mickstape, KFC Radio, Young and Happy, Open Floor, The Lowe Post.)
3. Darty
My personal favorite part of summer. If you somehow are still unaware of what a darty is, it’s slang for “day party”. Kinda dumb, I know, but say it for a couple days and you will never be able to stop. I’m convinced I will call up my friends for a “darty” when I’m 60 years old. Yard sports, cheap beer, a pool, a couple idiots and a couple responsible people, and you get the perfect mix of laziness and craziness.
4. Become an NBA Draft/Free Agency Expert
The Draft is not the best because you only have about a week if you read this the day it’s published, but it will make for a fun first week without any live sports. And when it’s over you can move to Free Agency which starts in July. It’s easy to submerse yourself in the Free Agency process because there is never a dull moment. Constant updates and surprises should be enough to keep you occupied for a week or so. (If you’re an NBA nerd like me I suggest checking out Kevin O’Connor’s Draft Guide.)
5. Set Up Computer vs. Computer Games in 2K and Madden and Pretend They’re Real
OK, don’t actually do this.
