NBA and ESPN Come Up With a Unique Idea to Keep Fans and Players Engaged in the Coronavirus Outbreak

The NBA season is suspended leaving it’s future uncertain following the Coronavirus outbreak. The United States is said to be 2-3 weeks away from the peak of the virus. In such a scenario it is not feasible for sporting activities to resume no matter how badly the players and fans want it. 

The NBA commenced a 2K tournament with 16 players. However, a tweet by senior NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski indicates that the players could be back on the court soon. But, the unique idea to keep players and fans engaged wouldn’t be actual gameplay. 

NBA to televise H-O-R-S-E tournament 

Wojnarowski says the NBA in collaboration with ESPN is planning to televise a H-O-R-S-E competition. It is the name given to the fun games played at personal or public courts. It features each player getting a chance to shoot a basket from different locations. If the player misses he gets a letter. The first person to miss 5 baskets will get all the five letters of the word ‘h-o-r-s-e’ and lose the game. 

The tournament could help players keep their throwing skills sharp while in a competition. It could also help fans watch real versions of their favorite stars rather than watch streams of them controlling their virtual figures. 

Sources tell ESPN, the tournament will be held at players’ respective home courts. Here they will compete shot for shot. No names have been finalized or even shortlisted for the H-O-R-S-E tournament. 

However, the New York Post writer Andrew Marchand says potential names include Oklahoma City Thunder’ Chris Paul, this year’s top draft pick Zion Williamson and Houston Rockets guard James Harden. He also said Donovan Mitchell is a potential candidate. The Utah Jazz guard was the league’s second player to test positive for Coronavirus.

One player who would leap at the prospect of this tournament would be Brooklyn Nets’, Kevin Durant. The 2 times finals MVP won the last NBA H-O-R-S-E tournaments in ’09 and ’10. These wins were over a decade ago when the NBA held a HORSE competition at their All-Star weekend. This may be a bit more up his street than the 2K game where he was knocked out in the first round.