Once upon a time, back when our administrative offices were in the lobby level of the Executive Centre, we had a portable basketball hoop set up in one corner of the reception area. Sometimes we’d grab a mini basketball and challenge each other to games of H-O-R-S-E (umm, after work hours, of course). A few of us had a full repertoire of crazy trick shots: bank shot off the wall; one-handed shot from the mezzanine; bounce shot off the ceiling; and the infamous blind shot over two rows of cubicles from the other side of the office.

Of course, Operations Manager AC Custodio would simply shoot medium-range set shots and beat us.

(Every. Single. Time.)

2008: ESPN Honolulu Account Manager Sheldon Nagata with a creative H-O-R-S-E shot.

H-O-R-S-E is a basketball game that everyone can play. You don’t have to be tall or fast or even particularly skilled. All you need is a little creativity, a basic knowledge of physics and some plain old luck.

Today at 1:00 p.m., ESPN will televise the first round of an NBA H-O-R-S-E Tournament. The event will feature NBA players Chris Paul, Trae Young, Zach Levine and Mike Conley; WNBA player Allie Quigley and retired player Tamika Catchings; and retired NBA players Paul Pierce and Chauncey Billups. The semis and championship will air on the network on April 16.

Give it a watch. Hey, at this point, we sports fans have to take what we can get.

As an appetizer for today’s competition, check out this video of a unique team H-O-R-S-E contest:

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