Chris Paul Gears Up for Nickelodeon Awards Show Gig

Houston Rockets All-Star point guard Chris Paul will take the stage in L.A. to host the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Sports Awards this week. The show will air Friday, July 20, at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT).

Despite doing plenty of commercials, Paul admits he is not seeking movie star status, nor has he ever done any type of event-hosting before. Rehearsing this week while his young son and daughter snuck in hugs, Paul said, “Growing up watching movies and television shows—I love acting. It’s fun; it’s something different.”

The rookie host, who lived in L.A. while playing for the Clippers for six seasons, has his work cut out for him. He’ll be running a show with 18 categories, numerous one-of-a-kind physical challenges, lots of celebrity athletes, and…slime! Odds are good that Paul will be covered in Nickelodeon’s trademark green slime more than once during the show. (But finding a change of clothes shouldn’t be hard for a guy being nominated in the show’s best-dressed category.)

Paul promises “fun, slime, and epic stunts” during the fifth annual show, and there’s a chance he may get to pass an orange blimp to himself. Paul is nominated for two of the awards: King of Swag for the best-dressed and most stylin’ off the court, and Nothing but Net, honoring the most accurate scorers in sports.

As a contender for Nothing but Net, he’ll need to hold off soccer player Alex Morgan and hockey players Patrick Kane and Patrik Laine, not to mention a slew of NBA colleagues, including Rockets teammate James Harden.

When asked who wins Nothing but Net in a head-to-head challenge with Harden, Paul is confident. “I should beat him,” Paul said. “I’m better! It’s not a step-back category.” (Harden is well known for his step-back threes.) Paul’s ribbing of Harden was all in good fun, though. “The best thing about being a Houston Rocket is the camaraderie we have on the team,” Paul said.

The previous Kids’ Choice Sports host, Russell Wilson, had the role for three years, so Paul may be back in L.A. to run this show again. He seems like he’d definitely be open to it. “I miss everything about L.A.,” he said. “I miss the sunlight. I miss the good weather. I miss the good people here in LA.”

Tune in this Friday to see Paul host the slime-filled and star-packed Nickelodeon Kids Choice Sports Awards.

Top photograph: Nickelodeon