How many of us remember playing H-O-R-S-E as kids? It might have been in a gym at the local Y or, more likely, on some asphalt court with a rusty rim and no net.
In any event, the point of the game is super simple!
One person makes a shot, and each of the rest of the players has to copy that shot exactly as made.
For example, if the person shoots the ball after passing it under a leg, then all of the other players have to make a shot after passing the ball under a leg. If the other players miss, they “get” a letter. Once a player spells H-O-R-S-E, or whichever word, by failing to copy the number of shots in the “word the group is playing,” the player is out.
Now that the NBA is lost in a COVID-19 maelstrom of uncertainty, fans are chomping at the bit for any sniff of some round ball. Players, too, yearn for the feel of the rock in their hands as they drive the lane or line up a perfect corner three.
How could the NBA put on something having to do with basketball while still maintaining proper social distance? After all, chasing rebounds doesn’t really allow for 2 meters of space between players!
H-O-R-S-E proved to be just right. Only one player is touching the ball at once, and the other players could safely maintain proper distance. They could pick up the ball left at the foul line after the previous player walked away.
Eight players from the NBA and the WNBA are set to participate: Paul Pierce, Chauncey Billups, Chris Paul, Trae Young, Zach LaVine, Tameeka Hatchings, Mike Conley Jr., and Allie Quigley.
The event is set to take place on April 12, 2020, on ESPN, who was also instrumental in putting it together. State Farm Insurance is one of the sponsors of the event, and the company has also donated $200,000 toward COVID-19 readiness.
The first games are set to air at 7:00 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time, on ESPN, and the semifinals and final will take place on Thursday, April 16, 2020, at 9:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time.
Much like it used to be on those hot, summer playgrounds, dunking won’t be allowed, but any other shot type is fair game.
So, prepare to see shots off the backboard, off both sides of the rim and in, and even behind-the-back or with eyes closed. The event promises to be fun in the face of a pandemic, and we all need a little bit of fun to buoy our spirits.
NBA Horse Betting Odds
There’s even a “little action” on the H-O-R-S-E Challenge. Right now, Chris Paul and Trae Young are the favorites at +300.
The WNBA players aren’t getting a lot of respect, however, coming in at +1,200 for Hatchings and +1,000 for Quigley.
The NBA alumni, Pierce and Billups, are +750 and +800, respectively. Conley Jr. and LaVine are +350 and +400, respectively.
Pierce likely thinks there’s little “Truth” in these numbers while Billups will probably try to “Smooth” out his betting line!
We’ll just have to wait and see, folks!
