With the NBA endorsing and promoting an NBA 2K20 matchup featuring its players, it became abundantly clear that the league wanted to do what it could to provide entertainment to its fans during its extended suspension of play.
Last week, rumors began circulating that, along with the NBPA, the league was exploring the viability of having a televised H-O-R-S-E competition featuring some of its stars and, potentially, WNBA stars, as well.
The main obstacle in the way of putting the competition together is the fact that the league has suspended team gatherings and practice facility usage. Any competitions would need to be contested remotely, which essentially meant that only players who had access to a private hoop could participate. That’s not something that every NBA player has.
Fortunately, Chris Paul does.
Sources: The NBA and ESPN plan to televise a HORSE competition is nearing completion and among those expected to participate include Chris Paul, Trae Young and Zach LaVine. Competition will also include a couple of WNBA players and recent NBA alumni.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 8, 2020
On Wednesday, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the NBA has come to a tentative agreement with Paul, the Hawks’ Trae Young and the Bulls’ Zach LaVine wherein the three would compete in a televised match of H-O-R-S-E.
According to the Wojnarowski report, the competition is also expected to feature participants from the WNBA, as well as some recent NBA alumni.
The NBA and ESPN are finalizing plans to televise a H-O-R-S-E shooting competition, with stars Chris Paul of Oklahoma City, Trae Young of Atlanta and Zach LaVine of Chicago among those expected to participate, sources told ESPN on Wednesday…
Players would be filmed competing at home locations — on indoor or outdoor courts — and compete shot for shot in the traditional playground game, sources said.
At this time, it is not known when the competition will take place or when it will be televised, but it is likely to be prerecorded.