Getty Image
I first started to get into basketball around the turn of the millennium and will always have a special place in my heart for that period of time—not only because of the future superstars who were helping to usher in the Post-Jordan Era but also due to the NBA alternatives that were just so damn fun to watch.
I keep telling myself it’s only a matter of time until Slamball finally makes a comeback, and even though that moment hasn’t come yet, I’m holding out hope that LaVar Ball realizes his best chance of getting people to care about the JBL is deciding to install a bunch of trampolines on the court.
However, there was nothing I loved more than throwing on ESPN2 and watching Emcee Rell run around the court with a microphone in his hand yelling “OH BABY!” over and over again while The Professor schooled helpless opponents and Highrizer lived up to his nickname on the AND1 Mixtape Tour.
I sincerely wish I knew where my old “Here’s $5…Go Buy Yourself a Game” shirt went because I’d probably have it framed if it was still in my possession.
I currently consider myself a fairly casual NBA fan but I always try to catch the All-Star Weekend festivities because I love getting to watch the best players in the world showcasing their skills while not taking things too seriously.
Of course, I’m currently kicking myself for not watching more basketball while I still had the chance, but thankfully, the NBA is doing what it can to fill the void, as it recently got some players to take part in a 2K tournament and decided to follow that up by putting together a HORSE competition.
Rumors about who’d be participating started to swirl earlier this week, and on Thursday, the league revealed the eight current and former NBA and WNBA players who will each be stepping into the private gyms inside their homes to challenge their opponents to match them when things kick off on Sunday night.
ESPN, the NBA and NBPA announced that Chris Paul, Trae Young and Tamika Catchings will headline the list of eight NBA and WNBA players and legends who will participate in the new NBA HORSE Challenge begining Sunday, April 12 at 7 pm ET. Mark Jones will serve as the official host. pic.twitter.com/tlQW28fBLt
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) April 9, 2020
Here’s a look at how the competition will be structured based on the rules issued by the league:
A coin toss at the start of each game will determine who shoots first, with the more senior player calling heads or tails. Players must describe each shot attempt, specifying the type of score they intend to make before taking a shot, such as a bank shot or swish. Dunking is prohibited. The first player in each game to accumulate the letters “H-O-R-S-E” after failing to match five shots is eliminated.
Only time will tell if this will actually be enjoyable but State Farm is prepared to donate over $200,000 to the various charities players will be representing in order to give some help to the people who need it most during these times.
As far as I’m concerned, it’s already a success.