Russell Westbrook and former Houston Rockets guard Chris Paul, who were traded for each other last summer, are reportedly among the candidates for the NBA’s planned H-O-R-S-E challenge.
With the league on indefinite hiatus during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski initially reported the potential game — which would be held with players isolated in their own gyms.
The NBA and ESPN are working on televising a H-O-R-S-E competition involving several high-profile players, sources told ESPN.
Discussions have been ongoing among the NBA, NBPA and ESPN about a competition among several players in isolation — presumably using home gyms — that would include them competing shot for shot in the traditional playground game, sources said.
Wojnarowski reports that details of the contest, such as the schedule and specific players to be involved, are still being finalized.
According to Andrew Marchand, sports media columnist for the New York Post, Paul and Westbrook are among players who “could be involved.” Others include Donovan Mitchell, Zion Williamson, and Dwyane Wade.
While the names aren’t confirmed yet, it probably won’t be long until a schedule is in place. This Wednesday will represent four weeks since the 2019-20 season was suspended on March 11, and with COVID-19 case numbers still rising, there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight.
Thus, the NBA and its TV partners (like ESPN) are desperate for programming — and a showcase involving future Hall of Famers like Westbrook and Paul might help fill that void.
