For most sports fans here at OU, the fall and winter are ourĀ favorite seasons. NFL football and the Oklahoma City Thunder dominate winter and spring, with OU football (the crown jewel of our fandom) dominating the fall.
This leaves a summer, which on the surface may not be the best for us couch potatoes.Ā However, after taking a closer look, this summer could be one of the best sports watching seasons of your life!Ā Here's why:
The US Open: The Masters may be golfās most exciting tournament, but the US Open is definitely the toughest. This year the Open is being played at Pinehurst number 2, one of golfās most famous courses. Hopefully Tiger will be healthy enough to play and provide some of the thrills we were so used to six years ago.
World Cup: IāmĀ not a huge soccer fanĀ and have zero authority to talk about it. However, no one can deny how significant this once in every four years event is. The FIFA World Cup in Rio, Brazil is what will make this summer in sports truly special.
NBA Playoffs/free agency: There is something really special about the NBA Playoffs. Because a basketball playerās legacy is so heavily dependent upon how many championships he has won, fans can actually watch a player create their legacy during these games. Images like Allen Iverson stepping over Tyronn Lue after dropping 48 on the Lakers in 2001, or Lebron James knocking down that buzzer beating three at the buzzer against the Magic in 2009, are the type of moments youāll always remember about that particular player. This year, we might get to see if Kevin Durant will finally have his moment.
Even a little baseball wonāt hurt: I know baseball can be boring to watch. Especially if you donāt have a team to root for. However, I find that baseball can also be very relaxing, and there isnāt anything quite like watching your favorite team put together a successful season. If you have patience and time, do it. If you donāt, make it your goal to get out to a ballpark a few times this summer.
Horse racing: Since most of us are in fraternities and sororities, itās time to conform some of our sports watching habits. Horse racing is obviously no oneās favorite sport (I apologize if it is), but it can be kind of fun to dress up, hangout with some friends and bet single dollars on who will win the Kentucky Derby, The Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes. Especially if there is a horse thatās going for the ever illusive Triple Crown.Ā Ā