SALT LAKE CITY, UT – JANUARY 25: Mike Conley #10 of the Utah Jazz looks on before a game against the Dallas Mavericks at Vivint Smart Home Arena on January 25, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
It took an incredible, behind-the-backboard reverse, but Mike Conley Jr. is your NBA HORSE Challenge champion.
ESPN’s NBA HORSE Challenge wrapped up Thursday night, with Chauncey Billups, Mike Conley Jr., Allie Quigley and Zach LaVine facing off for fame and glory. Conley made short work of Billups to make it to the finals. Despite noble work by Quigley, and some first-class eye-rolls, LaVine advanced to meet him, leaning heavily on his superior vertical leap.
Conley hit some incredibly creative shots to pull out a win in the finals — spinning the ball and punching it out of his hand for a layup, hitting corner 3s with his off-hand, an eyes-closed free throw and a behind-the-back layup. His closer, a reverse layup from the other side of the basket, was the same shot he used to eliminate Tamika Catchings in the first round.
That wasn’t the only time he went behind the backboard either. Conley used an over-the-backboard swish in the semifinals to put Chauncey Billups on the ropes.
I have tried this shot literally a billion times in my life. I am currently 0-for-1,000,000,000. How in the eff does Conley just walk up and do it on his first try?
We’re going pay Conley some respect here and focus on his incredible creativity and shot-making, not that fact that he was the only player shooting from an indoor gym, or that his indoor gym is nicer than many high school gyms, or that his indoor gym protected him from the elements, like the freezing rain that seemed to be pelting LaVine as he attempted his final shot.
Congrats, Mike. We look forward to the day, hopefully soon, when we can watch you again sinking ridiculous shots over actual defenders in an actual NBA game. And if this tournament just left you hungry for more, why not try some of these NBA-themed recipes for your midnight snack??