ESPN’s Darren Rovell take on Hot Sauce during a break between the Atlanta Hawks and the Chicago Bulls game on Sunday. No, it did not go well for Rovell.
In an NBA game that few outside of Atlanta and Chicago would be any bit interested in watching, we might have gotten the best highlight on Sunday afternoon. The tanking Atlanta Hawks might have hosted the also tanking Chicago Bulls. Though the game was competitive, it was all about ESPN’s Darren Rovell taking on Hot Sauce during a break from action.
For those that aren’t familiar with the basketball hero known as Hot Sauce, he’s a streetballer from the AND1 Mixtape Tour. Okay, his real name is Philip Champion, but Hot Sauce is the champion of street ball crossovers. Essentially, he has become Atlanta halftime entertainment the likes of Red Panda and baby races.
Rovell decided he needed to challenge Hot Sauce in trying to keep him from getting a bucket during a 24-second shot clock. While he did put up an admirable attempt, Rovell also hit the Philips Arena hardwood most catastrophically. At least he looked good doing so, completely decked out in his 1980s Hawks attire, shoes and all.
Rovell’s defensive strategy worked well for about 14 seconds. It was mostly the use of sharp hand motions, complemented with a retreat/attack approach. All the while, you just kind of knew that Hot Sauce was going to bait him.
Oh yes, he sure did, as Rovell fell into a cross-legged stance of turnstile imitation. Of course, Hot Sauce got that bucket he worked so hard for. It was a one-sided match for sure, but we have to applaud Rovell for his tenacity in competition. He came out of the half-court set in one piece and with both shoes intact.
Chicago would go on to win that matinée game in Atlanta, 129-122. Zach LaVine led the Bulls with 21 points, but Atlanta’s Taurean Prince went off with 38 points. Had Atlanta had injured starting point guard Dennis Schroder available, that might have been a win for the Hawks.
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Then again, Atlanta could have certainly used some of that delicious Rovell half-court defense. It was all about effort. Like the Hawks, it was important for Rovell to look competitive in a losing effort. Atlanta is one loss closer to winning the NBA Draft Lottery. Rovell has checked off a bucket list item of his for sure. Hot Sauce is still, and always will be, the man.