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UPDATE:
Geico's sponsored game of H-O-R-S-E just concluded and the uninteresting shots won out. Kevin Durant who was down 4 letters in no time at all outlasted Joe Johnson and O.J. Mayo.
Durant had the bad luck to start behind Johnson who was doing the tricky shots we like to see in this game. The talented sophomore barely hit anything off the glass or around the rim.
Staring at elimination after his stand out 46 point performance the previous night in the Rookie Challenge, he was able to right the ship.
Once Johnson missed and Durant set the pace he went to his strengths: jump shots from as far away as the viewing stands around the court. Yawn! O.J. Mayo was the most consistent shooter from anywhere on or off the court.
Overall I give it 2 stars out of 5 and the two come as a result of the long bombs from waaaaay downtown.
Original article is below with my recommendation for how to spice it up.
Recently I was asked whether I liked the idea of adding a game of H-O-R-S-E to the NBA All-Star festivities.
I said yes and then I looked at the contestants and realized I wasn't excited about what they might do. Although young and talented watching O.J. Mayo, Kevin Durant and Joe Johnson go at it still isn't compelling.
I wondered what would make me tune in and make the game a must-see event. And then I remembered something I had seen about a year ago.
It was a segment during a Lakers pre-game show in which Norm Nixon matched up with Coby Karl, a rookie on the team. Check out the video below. Wouldn't it be great to see a retired star join one or two current players? A one-on-one rather than a three-some would be best with one player being someone like John Stockton, Robert Horry or even Earl Boykins would be fantastic,
Speaking of one-on-one, I'm all for limiting the skills contests, all of them, to only two competitors. It's getting to be an ordeal with too many rounds, especially in the dunk contest where the participants miss way too often.
So for what it's worth, that's the Duffy suggestion for the brand new feature for the NBA All-Star. I know it seems impertinent to try and fix something that hasn't seen the light of day but I wanted to give you something to think about when you look at it.
Send me some of your suggestions for HORSE or any of the other skills contests included in the extravaganza this weekend.
Comments
I would like to see the NBA legends take on some of the young turks at Horse because they usually retain their shot after they retire. That would be awesome if just for the novelty.
But if it's just two current players playing horse, I wouldn't be that intrigued because that's something that I'm very good at myself. If I'm going to tune in to a skills contest I want to see something that I myself cannot do. The dunk contest and 3 point shooting under pressure meet those criteria.
I think that Dr. J, Jordan, and 'Nique ruined the dunk contests for everyone though. I haven't seen anything near as creative after them. And once a dunk has been done, it's been done and isn't fresh and creative anymore.
great minds think alike
Michael Jordan could probably still do just about anything he wants to with a basketball, even at his advanced age. His competitive spirit would completely psyche out his opponent.
You know who I just saw on TV talking about wanting to do it with the kids? Reggie Miller. What a game Miller vs. Jordan would be.
They should bring in that street baller that beat LeBron James one-on-one in a game of H-O-R-S-E, I think that would make for some more interesting hoopla over the all-star weekend
Great idea. Then maybe it should be Joes vs. Pros
Tip H-O-R-S-E, Miss Duffy. Now that would be interesting.
The tip is the great equalizer between bigs and smalls, and it speeds the game up. If you can follow your opponent's brick with a fluid, feet off the ground put-back before the rock hits hardwood, then he/she gets a letter. If you miss, the tip can stay alive as long as you and your opponent(s) can keep it off the ground.
Acrobatics ensue, and match-ups diversify.
And if a tip is questioned? Maybe a toe was too close to the floor? Then we go to the "fake tip review board."
Funny you say that, someone actually mentioned doing something similar to that in golf this week in Pebble Beach. A Pros vs. Celebrity Joes horse game.
Personally, I'd love to see Peyton Manning trying to get wild off the tee on his left side like Phil Mickelson or Pat Perez throwing his clubs in the water because he can't sink a putt the same way Justin Timberlake did!
Abbey: the Pebble Beach extravaganza would be the right venue with its free-wheeling pro-am component.
Solomon: I'm loving the fake-tip review board
Darn I missed it. Thanks for the recap.
In more pleasant news: Cardinals pitchers and catchers reported to camp today YAY!!!
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