In an epic example of, "move along folks, there's nothing to see here," the locked-out NBA has used some of that old-fashioned President George W. Bush "strategery" to guide those of us going through NBA player news withdrawal onto something at least quasi-basketball related.
Apparently, the NBA's "strategery" is to simply just focus on the cheerleaders. The Atlanta Hawks have gotten the message too, and it appears as if hawks.com is going to be about, the Atlanta Hawks Cheerleaders, the Atlanta Hawks cheerleaders and, oh, yeah, the Atlanta Hawks Cheerleaders.
Some of us here at SB Nation Atlanta applaud the move as there is never a bad reason to take a look at some of the beautiful ladies trying to make the basketball team's competitive dance squad, cheerleaders or whatever they are calling themselves nowadays. And, let's face it, interrupting the summer of NBA labor non-fun with a little sideshow of gorgeous, peppy women wearing sexy outfits is just about every man's dream.
So the Hawks will oblige with a six-part series that ramps up to the "official" announcement of the 2011-12 Atlanta Hawks Cheerleaders (or well, the they-hope-to-be the 2011-12 Atlanta Hawks Cheerleaders, if they are able to solve this pesky lockout thing and Philips Arena hosts an NBA game in the 2011-12 season).
The web series opens up with the preliminary cheerleader auditions, which is available on hawks.com now. Come Friday, you will get a look at the dance portion of the competition, followed by something or other about rules and regulations on July 12.
Those left on the team goes to boot-camp on July 14 followed by the "Fabulous Finalist Mixer" on the 19th of July. And then the moment you've all been waiting for, the official announcement of the new maybe-team on July 21.
This is a eerily similar formula used for that "Making the A-Town Dancers" show -- or whatever it was called -- on Fox Sports South a few years ago. You know the show -- that one where Briana Blair's bad-girl antics kind of stole the show.
While I'd love to do a "Where is Briana Now" segment on this family website, unfortunately I can't. Those of you who know something about that Google search thing may be able to find out. Let's just say that parental guidance is strongly suggested. You've been warned.