Bill Simmons’ dream of H-O-R-S-E being added to the NBA All-Star Game are finally coming true! But wait….there’s a catch. The event won’t be featured with the Dunk and 3-Point contests, but rather during an episode of Inside the NBA, two hours before TNT’s Saturday night. Via TNT PR….

The game will take place on a 45′ X 50’ court alongside the network’s new NBA on TNT Rig (photo attached) at the NBA All-Star Block Party presented by Right Guard, the NBA’s new outdoor All-Star event. The NBA on TNT Rig will also serve as the host set for other studio shows on TNT and NBA TV throughout the weekend. The rig can rise up to 14 feet off the ground and rotate to show views of the arena, downtown area and NBA All-Star Block Party presented by Right Guard, can seat up to 117 guests and will be open to the public on select days. Calling the action from the rig will be Ernie Johnson, along with analysts Kenny Smith and Chris Webber.

The game will use a traditional format in which three players will establish the playing order. Once a shot is made, the next player in the predetermined order will attempt the same shot. If that player misses, he is assigned a letter (ex. H for the first miss, O for the second, etc.). The player following the miss can pick a new shot with which to challenge his competitors. There is no dunking allowed and players will have 24 seconds each to create and mimic shots. Players remain in the game until they have missed five shots following made baskets, thus spelling the word H-O-R-S-E. An NBA referee will be assigned to authenticate the new shots (that the player executed what he announced) and any mimic shot.

The participants have yet to be named, but this certainly has a lot of potential. If Gilbert Arenas wasn’t injured, I think he would be a shoe-in as a participant, but alas he probably won’t be involved this year. The possibilities are endless though, and you could even get legends involved in the game. I would pay good money to see Jordan, Magic and Bird, playing H-O-R-S-E!

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