NBA HORSE Predictions
During the COVID-19 pandemic, everyone has had difficulty with the quarantine. One difficult thing for many fans was the complete stoppage of sports. Sure, the NFL and WNBA drafts are coming up, but calling those events sports is like saying you're an NFL player because you play fantasy football with some buddies. That's what makes the NBA HORSE tournament so miraculous. 8 NBA players, legends, and WNBA players competed in the shot making game where you force your opponent to accumulate 5 letters, spelling H-O-R-S-E. In the quarterfinals, Trae Young, Tamika Catchings, Paul Pierce, and Chris Paul were eliminated. However, Chauncey Billups, Mike Conley, Zach LaVine, and Allie Quigley escaped the first round, with some of the shooters looking better than others. I give my predictions on what will unfold in the semis and final on Thursday on ESPN from 4-6 ET.
Semifinal 1: Mike Conley (NBA Utah Jazz) over Chauncey Billups (NBA Legend)
Watching this matchup may inspire countless fans to go to Home Depot and attempt to build their own basketball courts. Conley has a sweet gym larger than Donald Trump's ego, and Billups was shooting on an outdoor court with his nicknames, Smooth and Mr. Big Shot painted on the floor. Mike Conley, the Ohio State alumnus playing in Columbus, looked dominant in round 1, handing Tamika Catchings a gentleman's sweep where he went up HORS to nothing before giving himself a letter and then finishing her off. Chauncey Billups fell behind HOR to nada before roaring back and gifting Trae Young with a HORSE. Billups was impressive, but Conley has the definite edge for two reasons. First off, he looked completely ambidextrous, hitting shots with his off hand that most couldn't dream of making with their dominant side. On the other hand, Billups struggled to make free throws with his left hand. Second of all, Conley is an NBA player in his prime who looks like he's in perfect condition, while Billups probably isn't working out and has definitely put on a few pounds since his playing days. Bet on Conley, but don't be surprised if Chauncey gets the hot hand and comes back the same way he did against Trae Young.
Semifinal 2: Allie Quigley (WNBA Chicago Sky) over Zach LaVine (NBA Chicago Bulls)
Allie Quigley was built for the game of HORSE. She never achieved a lot in the WNBA, only averaging above 15 PPG for two seasons. She did have a lot of success in the All-Star Weekend 3-Point Contest, where she won back to back years. In the quarterfinals against Hall of Fame bound Chris Paul, she only accumulated HOR, knocking out the 10 time All Star with an array of jump shots that she made as easy as fleecing Bill O'Brien. She goes up against a fellow Chicago hooper in Zach LaVine. Because dunks are prohibited, he can't completely use the athleticism that won him two Slam Dunk Contests, but he still has an array of HORSE friendly skills. For his career, he's shot over 80% from the free throw line and nearly 40% from 3-point. LaVine dominated Paul Pierce in the biggest bloodbath of the first round. He's also taken advantage of his strength with some questionable antics that forced Paul Pierce to do things that his retired body couldn't. Quigley looked comfortable every shot she took, but LaVine has a cannon too. Expect to see Quigley in the final unless LaVine forces her to practically dunk with her 5-10 frame.
Final: Mike Conley over Allie Quigley
Both players proved themselves to be the cream of the crop in the first round. Quigley made the most diverse array of shots, showing she could drain bucket after bucket from any spot on the floor. Conley's complete ambidexterity is also very attractive in a high intensity final. Both have a great chance of making their opponent spell out HORSE, but I'm giving the edge to Conley because I think he can match the threes and behind the backboard shots Quigley puts up, but I don't think she can be quite as good as Conley with her off hand. Whatever happens, it's a win for everybody because any kind of sports is great for everyone.
Semifinal 1: Mike Conley (NBA Utah Jazz) over Chauncey Billups (NBA Legend)
Watching this matchup may inspire countless fans to go to Home Depot and attempt to build their own basketball courts. Conley has a sweet gym larger than Donald Trump's ego, and Billups was shooting on an outdoor court with his nicknames, Smooth and Mr. Big Shot painted on the floor. Mike Conley, the Ohio State alumnus playing in Columbus, looked dominant in round 1, handing Tamika Catchings a gentleman's sweep where he went up HORS to nothing before giving himself a letter and then finishing her off. Chauncey Billups fell behind HOR to nada before roaring back and gifting Trae Young with a HORSE. Billups was impressive, but Conley has the definite edge for two reasons. First off, he looked completely ambidextrous, hitting shots with his off hand that most couldn't dream of making with their dominant side. On the other hand, Billups struggled to make free throws with his left hand. Second of all, Conley is an NBA player in his prime who looks like he's in perfect condition, while Billups probably isn't working out and has definitely put on a few pounds since his playing days. Bet on Conley, but don't be surprised if Chauncey gets the hot hand and comes back the same way he did against Trae Young.
Semifinal 2: Allie Quigley (WNBA Chicago Sky) over Zach LaVine (NBA Chicago Bulls)
Allie Quigley was built for the game of HORSE. She never achieved a lot in the WNBA, only averaging above 15 PPG for two seasons. She did have a lot of success in the All-Star Weekend 3-Point Contest, where she won back to back years. In the quarterfinals against Hall of Fame bound Chris Paul, she only accumulated HOR, knocking out the 10 time All Star with an array of jump shots that she made as easy as fleecing Bill O'Brien. She goes up against a fellow Chicago hooper in Zach LaVine. Because dunks are prohibited, he can't completely use the athleticism that won him two Slam Dunk Contests, but he still has an array of HORSE friendly skills. For his career, he's shot over 80% from the free throw line and nearly 40% from 3-point. LaVine dominated Paul Pierce in the biggest bloodbath of the first round. He's also taken advantage of his strength with some questionable antics that forced Paul Pierce to do things that his retired body couldn't. Quigley looked comfortable every shot she took, but LaVine has a cannon too. Expect to see Quigley in the final unless LaVine forces her to practically dunk with her 5-10 frame.
Final: Mike Conley over Allie Quigley
Both players proved themselves to be the cream of the crop in the first round. Quigley made the most diverse array of shots, showing she could drain bucket after bucket from any spot on the floor. Conley's complete ambidexterity is also very attractive in a high intensity final. Both have a great chance of making their opponent spell out HORSE, but I'm giving the edge to Conley because I think he can match the threes and behind the backboard shots Quigley puts up, but I don't think she can be quite as good as Conley with her off hand. Whatever happens, it's a win for everybody because any kind of sports is great for everyone.
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