82 Other Sports, Games and Events NBA Fans Can Watch While the Lockout Drags On

What will desperate NBA fans watch on television in the absence of a season due to the lockout?

That's the question that's running rampant for hoops fans everywhere, as there is really not a true substitute for those who love to see their favorite basketball stars running up and down the hardwood.

Fortunately, there are a plethora of other events going on throughout the duration of what would be the NBA regular season.

For a bit of symbolism, here are 82 events and games that could be watched from the present into the summer.

82. PBA and PBR

Date: Ongoing

There’s a lot of people who get to catch a little PBA by accident when ESPN’s NFL Sunday Countdown ends.

If you’re not into bowling, who doesn’t like watching Professional Bull Riders? Just kick back and enjoy seeing people flying off of angry bovines.

81. World Poker Tour

Date: Ongoing

Between the soothing chip noises and the low-key, monotone narration, the WPT could be better than an ocean soundtrack if you’re looking for something peaceful to watch from the bed.

Of course, the action could get really heated and the stakes could get very high at any point, so it’s definitely volatile watching for viewers.

80. Presidents Cup

Dates: November 17-20

Tiger Woods vs. former caddie Stevie Williams for the first time after Williams made some controversial comments about Woods.

It might not have gone exactly how Woods would have liked, but the tension shared between Woods and Williams on a handshake was must-see TV.

79. UFC 139: Henderson vs. Rua

Date: November 19

In a matchup between Henderson and Rua, the victor likely gets a shot at the UFC light heavyweight title.

It promises to be a competitive fight between two guys who are vying for a title bout.

78. Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens

Date: Week 11

There’s no doubt that a clash of divisional rivals makes for some good football, especially when each team needs to win the game.

It’s going to be interesting to see if the Bengals can stack up against the Ravens as the team hopes to continue its surprising season.

77. San Diego Chargers at Chicago Bears

Date: Week 11

The Chargers need to win to save the season, and the Bears are on an absolute roll with Matt Forte playing out of his mind during his contract season.

Philip Rivers won’t hear the talk about him being injured go away if the Chargers lose again.

76. Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants

Date: Week 11

Michael Vick has two broken ribs and all signs point to Vince Young making his first start for the Eagles.

With the division still very much up for grabs, Eli Manning and the Giants have a chance to really put the stake through the Eagles’ “dream” season.

75. Chelsea vs. Liverpool

Date: November 20

This one is going to be one to watch after Fernando Torres’ controversial (record) transfer from Liverpool to Chelsea.

He’s barely made an imprint since moving to his new team, but that could change dramatically if he seeks to stick it to his old club.

74. Maui Invitational

Date: November 21-23

The Maui Invitational doesn’t boast the best basketball, but it does have some interesting moments.

It’s a serious teaser for March Madness when the craziness gets underway, and it’s a chance to see some exciting young talent before the season progresses too far.

73. Barcelona vs. AC Milan

Date: November 23

In a rare match between two really well-known European teams, one will be looking to assert itself over the other after the parties played to a 2-2 draw a few months ago.

The defending Italian champs vs. the defending Spanish champs adds serious intrigue in this one.

72. Family Turkey Bowl Game

Date: November 24

It’s not on TV, but you can see it with your own eyes and it’s packed with more action than some games that are televised.

It even gives you a reason to go after that one family member who said something wrong to you at the dinner table and took the drumstick you so sorely wanted.

71. Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions

Date: Week 12

When this was originally scheduled, many thought that the Packers would steamroll the Lions.
Now, maybe it’ll be a bit closer than some had previously expected.

Although the Lions are trending in the wrong direction since the surprising start, there’s still plenty of potential for a competitive game and potential upset.

70. San Francisco 49ers at Baltimore Ravens

Date: Week 12

How many games do the 49ers have to win before football fans are believing in this team?

Clearly, this group is drinking the Harbaugh Kool-Aid, and it’s paying off in a big way.

With a stout run defense, the Ravens are going to have to lean on Joe Flacco and the passing game in order to come out on top in this one.

Who doesn't want to see these two Harbaugh brothers battle it out?

69. Boston Bruins vs. Detroit Red Wings: Thanksgiving Showdown

Date: November 25

Thanksgiving weekend isn’t just about football—this is a classic hockey matchup that fans of both sides will be sure to catch.

However, those looking for some other action should turn it on as well, as these two teams are going to get together and create some magic on the ice.

68. Saul Alvarez vs. Kermit Cintron

Date: November 26

Alvarez might be favored in this one, but Cintron might still just have enough left in the tank in order to surprise and pull this one out.

In a battle of a young talent vs. a seasoned veteran, it should be fun to watch both and how differently they approach the matchup.

67. Buffalo Bills at New York Jets

Date: Week 12

The Bills have really lost serious momentum since an absolute magical start, but this is a team that can still compete.

The Jets need to make sure there’s no hangover from a convincing 27-11 win and take care of business if New York wants to see the postseason.

66. New England Patriots at Philadelphia Eagles

Date: Week 12

Everybody’s favorite team on paper was Philadelphia before the season kicked off, and this is one game that’s been circled for a while.

No matter what the record is for both clubs, there’s going to be a heated battle in this one in a big way.

65. New York Giants at New Orleans Saints

Date: Week 12

The New York pass rush vs. Drew Brees and his plethora of weapons in the passing game promises to be some serious entertainment.

Manning doesn’t have the same weaponry that Brees does across the board, but his trio of wide receivers has established itself as an awfully potent group.

64. Duke at Ohio State

Date: November 29

Duke and Ohio State might not strike the chord for some college basketball fans, but these two teams promise to be more exciting than what we saw last season from either one.

A matchup of two dynamic squads, one led by Jared Sullinger and with an exciting freshman in Austin Rivers on the other, it should make for a matchup that just can't be missed.

63. Florida at Syracuse

Date: December 2

In a matchup of two teams where neither of which is in Kentucky, it promises to be a really tight game between two clubs looking to make an emphatic stamp on the record.

Scoop Jardine has a chance to lead Syracuse to a place it hasn’t been in a while, and this team could be an exciting one to monitor as the season unfolds.

62. Miguel Cotto vs. Antonio Margarito

Date: December 3

This is going to draw a ton of interest after Margarito was suspected of and eventually caught for using illegal hand wraps, and Cotto is looking for revenge.

Cotto is going to be on a one-man mission to prove that Margarito isn’t the better boxer of the two, and there is some seriously bad blood brewing between these two.

61. North Carolina at Kentucky

Date: December 3

Two top teams in the country hit the court against one another in a matchup everyone is waiting anxiously to see.

Kentucky is looking to prove that no matter what team is ranked behind them, there is a wide gap between this group and anyone below them in the standings.

60. Detroit Lions at New Orleans Saints

Date: Week 13

The Lions and Saints could square off in the playoffs if both teams make it that far, and this could be a preview of what we could see in the postseason.

The Saints have nobody to cover Calvin Johnson, and watching him running a muck in that secondary could have anybody entertained.

59. Green Pay Packers at New York Giants

Date: Week 13

Can anybody take down this potent Green Bay offense?

Aaron Rodgers is playing better in real life than his digital likeness in a game of Madden on the lowest difficulty setting, and he’s just on a different planet right now.

If Manning is able to come out on top, there are going to be fewer and fewer people continuing to bring up his comments about being an elite quarterback.

58. Amir Khan vs. Lamont Peterson

Date: December 10

Khan comes from a respected school of fighters, and he comes into the bout as both the IBF and WBA light welterweight champion.

Peterson could realistically challenge Khan for his IBF title, but it’s certainly not going to come with any ease whatsoever.

57. UFC 140: Jon Jones vs. Lyoto Machida

Date: December 10

The championship bout is going to be exciting, and Jones is going to set the building ablaze.

He’s an absolute MMA beast, and although Machida still earns a lot of respect around the league for what he’s done in the past, Jones looks like the victor for this one.

56. Heisman Trophy Presentation and Army vs. Navy

Date: December 10

Some people are going to watch this one for the Army vs. Navy rivalry, others for the Heisman Trophy presentation.

No matter why you’re watching, there’s a reason for everybody to turn on the television and delve into the action.

55. Andre Ward vs. Carl Froch

Date: December 17

Ward, the last American Olympic boxing gold medalist, goes up against Carl Froch, who only has a single career loss.

There’s no question that this bout has the potential to be a long one, and it should be a very closely contested battle between two tough boxers.

54. First Bowl Games of the Season

Date: December 17

The first bowl games of the season might not always be the most glorious, but they’re certainly some competitive football.

Right around the time when most fans are really craving hoops, at least these games will be exciting to watch with a lot on the line.

53. Louisville vs. Memphis

Date: December 17

Louisville and Memphis is a battle of preseason Top 15 squads, and thus far they’ve done nothing to eschew the assertion that both belong in that spot.

Memphis has an unbelievable amount of young talent on the roster, and this team is primed for a deep run with some seriously fresh legs.

52. Manchester City vs. Arsenal

Date: December 18

The first EPL match where Samir Nasri will play against Arsenal after transferring to Manchester City in August, and he’s not going to get a warm welcome from the Arsenal faithful.

It’s going to be quite the environment at Manchester City’s home crowd at Etihad Stadium, and there’s every reason to be fired up.

51. Baltimore Ravens at San Diego Chargers

Date: Week 15

The Ravens are going to have to win the majority of the remaining contests if this team has its sights set on the playoffs, and that includes those late in the season.

No matter what direction the Chargers are trending in or where San Diego is in the standings, this is a team that can explode offensively at any time.

50. Pittsburgh Steelers at San Francisco 49ers

Date: Week 15

If the 49eres continue at their current pace and Pittsburgh performs as expected, this is going to be an absolutely epic matchup.

The 49ers have an unbelievable run defense, but Big Ben can spread out his receivers and look down the field with regularity, putting the pressure on the secondary.

49. Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots

Date: Week 16

It’s always interesting to watch the Patriots and Dolphins battle head to head, even if the two franchises are in very different places.

Could this be an upset that nobody saw coming?

Probably not, but it could be closer than many are expecting.

48. New York Giants at New York Jets

Date: Week 16

It may not be a very well-publicized rivalry, but neither of these teams want to end up on the back cover of the Post in the event of a loss.

For as big as Rex Ryan talks, it’s a good opportunity for he and his team to show up in this one, as the Giants have collected some impressive victories thus far.

47. San Diego Chargers at Detroit Lions

Date: Week 16

This could be a high-scoring affair where Matt Stafford and Philip Rivers air it out.

That would mean a lot of Vincent Jackson and Calvin Johnson, and who doesn’t like to watch those two?

Of course, these two teams have been rather volatile this season in terms of their performance, so it's hard to predict exactly what we'll see—and that's why it's worth watching.

46. Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers

Date: Week 16

This is one rivalry that doesn’t get nearly enough hype in the public sphere whatsoever.

If the Bears continue to play with the strength that this team has shown recently after a rocky start and the Packers continue to roll, there are going to be unbelievable television ratings at the back end of the season in store.

45. UFC 141: Brock Lesnar vs. Alistair Overeem

Date: December 30

Who doesn’t want to see Lesnar get a title shot?

Both Lesnar and Overeem are scary sights for the opposition, and the two of them going against one another promises to be seriously entertaining.

The one time I got the pleasure of meeting Lesnar was in a Starbucks, and this is one coffee order the barista can’t afford to get wrong.

44. Louisville at Kentucky

Date: December 31

Every opportunity to see Kentucky play should be one that hoops fans take this season, as it could be the closest thing to pro basketball we’ll see in the United States this season.

There’s an exciting mix of talent within the group, and if you're interested in scouting some future NBA players, you shouldn't miss any action from this team.

43. Tavoris Cloud vs. Zsolt Erdei

Date: December 31

In what should be a really solid fight for both participants, it could certainly go in either man’s favor.

Cloud has arguably fought some tougher opponents, but Erdei has seen more overall action.

The best thing about this particular matchup is that it promises to be a good one no matter who emerges as the victor.

42. Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots

Date: Week 17

If the Bills can right the ship, this could be a very, very important game.

If not, this is going to be a game that many Pats fans have interest in only because it could very well have playoff implications in terms of potential seeding in the standings.

Buffalo did get the better of the two in the first meeting, and the Patriots will have that on the mind when the two sides square off again.

41. Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers

Date: Week 17

A rematch of the Turkey Day showdown, this is likely going to be a much bigger game for the Lions than it will be for the Packers.

It could be imperative for the Lions to win this game and may be the only chance for this team to make it into the playoffs.

40. Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals

Date: Week 17

There are serious playoff implications on the line in this one, and it will be very interesting to see how a pivotal matchup plays itself out.

Andy Dalton has been much better than anyone predicted he’d be for Cincinnati, and Baltimore has shown an inclination to struggle at times.

39. San Diego Chargers at Oakland Raiders

Date: Week 17

Unless the Broncos continue to surge under Tim Tebow, this could very well decide the AFC West.

The Raiders have played better than most expected, while the Chargers have vastly underwhelmed lately. Which team comes out on top?

38. Winter Classic

Date: January 2

The Winter Classic has always been a great thing to watch since the NHL started doing it, and the Flyers and Rangers are going to draw a serious audience in this one.

It’s two classic teams doing battle against the other, and these are two groups of guys who really don’t like one another.

37. Bowl Games: Fiesta, Rose, Capital One, Gator, Outback, Ticket City

Date: January 2

These are the games where football fans get to see some better teams involved, and this is the most important day of the year for some people.

After the turn of the new year, what else would someone watch? It’s always a good idea to ring in a fresh year with some football.

36. Sugar Bowl

Date: January 3

It just sounds so sweet when people talk about the Sugar Bowl on a yearly basis.

No mater what two teams wind up competing in the event, it’s usually fun to watch, as evidenced by the 2011 battle between Ohio State and Arkansas.

There's no question that people will be anxious to see the action in this one.

35. Orange Bowl

Date: January 4

The Orange Bowl usually gets most fans really hooked on the idea that the national championship is coming, and that’s what it’ll be doing once again in 2012.

Although last season was a blowout, it helped to get Jim Harbaugh a job in the NFL and put Andrew Luck on everybody’s radar.

34. Start of the PGA Tour

Date: January 6-9, Hyundai Tournament of Champions at Kapalua

Another new year, and another new year of the PGA Tour season brings in fresh chances for different faces.

Will this finally be the time when Tiger Woods comes back to reassert himself in the golf world, or will it be time for a fresh face to rise from the group?

33. FCS Championship

Date: January 7

It might not be the championship that most people look forward to, but the FCS championship game is some solid football as well.

There are a lot of competitive teams, and while the FCS might not have the same allure as teams in the BCS, that doesn’t mean there aren’t competitive games going down.

32. BCS Championship

Date: January 9

Auburn vs. Oregon was everything that everybody expected it to be in terms of how close the game turned out to be.

No matter which two teams square off, there’s no question that this should be an awesome game to watch for a number of different reasons.

31. NHL All-Star Game

Date: January 29

All-Star Games in the NHL are comparable to basketball games in the sense that there is always a lot of scoring and highlight-reel style plays for the fans to enjoy.

If you’re into competitive hockey with low-scoring finals, this isn’t the event for you, but who doesn’t like a nice 13-12 hockey game?

30. Super Bowl

Date: February 5

The Super Bowl is far more than just a game or event—for some, this may as well be a national holiday.

No matter what two teams take the field to represent the AFC and NFC each season, there's a plethora of interest from the viewing audience to see the most meaningful football game of the campaign.

While it's still early to try and predict what team will represent each conference this season, there are a few teams looking like good bets to have postseason success.

What's your prediction?

29. Duke at North Carolina

Date: February 8

Harrison Barnes vs. Austin Rivers, and there’s really nothing more that needs to be said about this one.

Barnes and Rivers will both make for exciting professional players in the NBA, and that’s the reason I’ll be watching these two all season.

28. Manchester United vs. Liverpool

Date: February 11

This is a classic rivalry, and it’s one that isn’t going to die down at any point in the near future.

The fans absolutely despise one another, and after the sides played to a draw earlier this season, there will be a ton of bragging rights on the line.

27. Accenture Match Play

Date: February 23-26

A knockout-style event, the match play event always makes for some interesting surprises within the field.

There was an $8.5 million pursue in 2011, and the winner collected a cool $1.4 million, enough to make anybody motivated to play their best golf.

26. Tottenham at Arsenal

Date: February 25

Another matchup where the two hated rivals go head to head against one another, and there will be plenty on the line.

Tottenham won the first match between the clubs by a 2-1 margin, so there’s reason to believe that it could go in either team’s favor the second time around.

25. March Madness

Date: March

Everything about March Madness. If you’re bored without pro basketball, just turn on the television when it’s tournament time.

No, it’s not the same as the NBA, and frankly it isn’t even close, but there’s something to be said for the one-and-done mentality and how it shapes the tournament.

24. Duke vs. North Carolina

Date: March 3

There's no question that this is going to be a big one, as it'll come just before March Madness kicks off and could very well be the best game of the regular season.

If North Carolina comes out on top when the two teams square off in February, look for Duke to come into this one with a strong vengeance.

23. Super 8 Hockey Tournament

Date: Early March

High school hockey might not be as big in most parts of the world as it is in Northeast America, but the Super 8 tournament is some serious hockey.

If you’re a fan of watching players play (and have an affinity for hockey) who are motivated by love of the game rather than the money, this is the tournament for you.

22. World Golf Championship-Cadillac

Date: March 10-13

Who doesn’t like seeing some golf going down when Cadillac is the sponsor and it’s played in sunny Florida at the onset of March?

Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods lead the pack of intriguing names, and Rory McIlroy will join them as the there promises to be plenty of action.

21. Selection Sunday

Date: March 11

We’re getting geared up for March Madness long before the Selection Sunday, but March 11 makes it officially time to get hyped for the tournament.

It’s time to see what teams get what seeds and how each may have a competitive advantage over another in making it to the final round.

20. Opening Games at the Tokyo Dome

Date: March 28, 29

Baseball is baseball no matter where it’s played, but it’s infinitely more interesting when it is played in the Tokyo Dome.

It’s going to be awesome to see the ovation that Ichiro receives playing in Japan, and this might be the most attention that these two AL West teams get nationally for the entire season unless either makes a sizable splash on the open market.

19. WrestleMania

Date: April 1

What matches are we going to see?

Will CM Punk do something that will send him onto a plateau completely by himself?

The possibility for anything to happen is there, and the results could be very volatile.

18. NCAA Championship

Date: April 2

It doesn’t matter what teams are involved; it doesn’t matter which players are on the court. All that matters is it’s the last game to determine who wins it all.

Can we see another Cinderella run from an unsuspecting club, or will it be a matchup of favorite teams that dominate the headlines throughout the season?

17. MLB Opener: St. Louis at Miami

Date: April 4

The MLB season opener is always great to watch, and the Marlins will debut their new stadium in Miami.

It should be a competitive matchup considering the Marlins are going to be a much different team going forward, and if everyone can move on from the hideous new jerseys, there will be great baseball to be watched.

16. Washington at Chicago

Date: April 5

Theo Epstein’s debut with the Chicago Cubs is one that more than the loyal Chicago fans are anxious to see.

Could this finally be the season where Cubs fans have something to look forward to beyond the All-Star break?

15. The Masters

Date: April 7-10

Who is getting the green jacket this year?

After Rory McIlroy’s historic collapse in 2011 led to a Charl Schwartzel victory, could McIlroy be in line for a victory this year?

Will it be another fresh face joining the winner's circle or will it be someone who already has at least one blazer in the closet?

14. New York Yankees at Boston Red Sox

Date: April 12

The Red Sox are going to be on a mission after a historic collapse during the onset of 2012, and Boston takes on the Yankees within the season’s first week.

It’s going to be an unbelievably interesting year to monitor the rivalry, as there is some legitimately bad blood brewing on both sides.

13. Boston Marathon

Date: April 16

Kegs, eggs and a ton of other breakfast food on spread while watching marathon runners race to the finish line.

Is there a better way to wash away the memories of all of the snow in Boston than that?

Nope.

12. Real Madrid at Barcelona

Date: April 21

Messi vs. Ronaldo, the two best teams in Europe—no matter how anyone wants to portray this one, it’s going to be absolutely excellent.

The two teams are battling for position atop the standings, and everybody on the pitch will be giving it his all in an effort to help seal a victory.

11. Manchester United at Manchester City

Date: April 28

Manchester rivals face off head to head, and there’s a lot on the line as the two teams are currently seeded atop the EPL.

After the embarrassing shellacking City gave United a few weeks back, there’s going to be revenge on the minds of the latter.

10. Money Mayweather Vs...

Date: May 5

Money Mayweather is always a reason to order the fight, but who is his opponent going to be?

Will we finally get to see what we’ve all wanted with the showdown against Pacquiao, or will it be another disappointing opponent?

Hopefully we receive the viewing party we've been craving.

9. AC Milan at Inter Milan

Date: May 6

These two teams share the same stadium, so there will be fans on both sides very present for this one.

One of the most historical rivalries in the sport, the Milan derby is fun for everybody to watch.

8. Interleague Play

Date: May 18

Interleague play doesn’t do it for some, but it’s one of the coolest things to enter baseball in a long time considering it allows teams to square off against each other that otherwise wouldn’t.

With matchups like Philadelphia vs. Boston and Tampa Bay vs. Atlanta to kick off the action, there should be more people intrigued with it in 2012.

7. UEFA Champions League Final

Date: May 19

For the final game of the club season, it’s going to be an action-packed event where two teams really go at it.

With last season proving to be a solid showing between Barcelona and Manchester United, this year’s game promises to be another solid showing.

6. Scripps Spelling Bee

Date: May 27

There aren’t a lot of people who will admit that they actually watch this, but the viewership numbers dictate otherwise—people love watching these kids.

There have been some epic on-stage reactions as well as some really difficult words to spell, and it’s always great to gauge how their thought process unfolds.

5. MLB Draft

Date: June 4

The MLB draft usually comes and goes without many even noticing, but this is the future of baseball we’re talking about.

There might not be the next Bryce Harper available in 2012, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be some highly scrutinized selections and some interesting surprises when the selection process arrives.

4. Opening 2012 European Championship Games

Date: June 8

It’s the kickoff date for the world’s second-biggest tournament. This is one competition that all futbol fans will be watching closely.

There’s plenty of good stuff to be seen in this one, and the action isn’t likely to subside at any moment throughout.

3. U.S. Open

Date: June 14-17

The U.S. Open might be the one golf event that non-golf fans can name off of the top of their head, and that’s a good thing considering the timing of this one.

While most hoop-heads would be in the midst of watching the postseason unfold, there is still some value to be salvaged by watching some sweet strokes of a different variety.

2. Boston Red Sox at Chicago Cubs

Date: June 15

Cherington vs. Epstein, Cubs vs. Red Sox—no matter how anyone wants to spin it, this is going to be a date that’s circled long before spring training ever arrives.

With all of the hoopla that went on between these two franchises this offseason, the entire baseball world will be watching when the Red Sox travel to Wrigley.

1. European 2012 Final

Date: July 1

Spain defeated Germany 1-0 in the 2008 final, and while they’re still considered favorites four years later, the team certainly isn’t a shoe-in to win it all.

It will be fun to see which club ultimately comes out on top, and let’s hope that there is an element of surprise involved here.